Current Research
Collaborative projects in Orchidaceae:
  • Comparative floral anatomy of Maxillaria s.l. and related genera (Orchidaceae) - W. M. Whitten (Florida Museum of Natural History)

  • Anatomy and molecular systematics of Sobraliinae (Orchidaceae) - K. M. Neubig (Florida Museum of Natural History)

  • Anatomy of Dichaea and related genera of the Zygopetalinae (Orchidaceae) - K. M. Neubig (Florida Museum of Natural History)

  • Comparative leaf anatomy of CAM, C3, and weak CAM species in Oncidiinae (Orchidaceae) - W. M. Whitten & K. M. Neubig (Florida Museum of Natural History) and K. Silvera (University of Nevada Reno)

  • Phylogenetics and biogeography of Mascarene angraecoids (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) - C. Micheneau (Université de La Réunion)

Collaborative projects in other plant groups:
  • Vegetatiave anatomy and morphology of Polygalaceae - J. R. Abbott (University of Florida)
  • Molecular systematics of Polygalaceae in North America - J. R. Abbott (University of Florida)
  • Morphological character distribution among the Malpighiales, Ericales, Saxifragales, Caryophyllales, & Campanulids - W. S. Judd & S. R. Manchester (and the Angiosperm Tree of Life working group)

  • Comparative seed anatomy of Trichostema species (Lamiaceae) - J. Coons & N. Coutant

  • Comparative seed anatomy of Illinois tallgrass prairie species with and without reported smoke-induced germination - J. Coons & N. Coutant

  • The functional ecology of community change - S. J. Meiners & A. S. Methven (EIU)

Graduate student research:
  • Isaac Klaus:  Comparative micropropagation and vegetative anatomy of Aeridinae (Orchidaceae)

  • Marissa Jernegan:  Survival strategies of Physaria ludoviciana (silvery bladderpod; Brassicaceae) as affected by biogeographical and environmental factors

  • Laura Ladwig:  Ecology of lianas in regenerating temperate forests and their impacts on tree growth


Undergraduate student research:
  • Jessica Leathers (EIU) & Anthony Tate (SIU):  Comparative floral anatomy of Maxillaria s.l. and related genera (Orchidaceae)