Plants form persistent, intimate associations (symbioses) with organisms that may be enemies, mutualists, or commensals. As a community ecologist, I am interested in how symbioses directly affect the growth of hosts, indirectly affect enemies of the host, and how the environment modifies the role played by symbionts. Visit Google Scholar to locate publications or contact me.
Current research in the lab
- Impact of defoliation and hemiparasitism on growth and wood development in seedling oaks – Ankita Gupta, Ph.D.
- Hemiparasite-host interactions and their impact on competition – Margaux Thompson, undergraduate
Recent past research
- Effects of depth and cover crop on the functioning and diversity of soil microbial communities – Emily Hansen, M.S.
- Evaluating the multi-level community effects of root hemiparasites in Northern Illinois – Anna Scheidel, M.S.
- In defense of plants: salicylic acid in a host-parasite-pathogen system – Tim Martin, M.S.
- Refuge-mediated apparent competition in a tallgrass prairie? – Jessica Fowler, M.S.
- Invasion of grasslands by Lespedeza cuneata – Morgan Walder, M.S.
- Constraints on reproductive success of Baptisia alba – Ashley Hembrough, M.S.
