Biodiversity Interests

Research interests are the systematics and evolution of flowering plants, especially the evolution of their sexual systems and their biogeography. Sexual systems currently being studied are dioecy, heterodichogamy, and sex change, especially in the Cucurbitaceae. Biogeography work has centered on Melastomataceae, Chloranthaceae, Araceae, and families in the order Laurales, namely Calycanthaceae, Atherospermataceae, Hernandiaceae, Lauraceae, Monimiaceae, and Siparunaceae. A strong interest are molecular clocks, especially their practical calibration via fossils.