Description:

Guest speaker Christine Edwards, PhD, from the Missouri Botanic Garden will present their research to the PBC community.

Understanding the relationshpi between genetic diversity and fecundity in a clonal, self incompatible prairie plant

“The central goal of my research is to use genetic tools to help conserve endangered plants. The geographic and taxonomic focus of my research is broad, and my research mostly focuses on four main research themes: 1) using genetic data to help understand the ecology and reproductive biology of endangered plants, devise strategies to conserve their genetic variation, and aid in applied conservation and reintroduction efforts, 2) elucidating patterns of evolutionary history, species boundaries, and the taxonomic distinctiveness of endangered species, 3) understanding the biogeography and phylogeography of clades containing endangered plant species, and 4) using DNA metabarcoding to understand species interactions, particularly plant-pollinator interactions involving endangered bats.”