We're an evolutionary genetics lab that aims to understand the genetic basis and evolutionary causes of adaptation and speciation, as well as characterize the impact and consequences of introgression in nature. We work predominantly in plant systems (AKA team Mimulus), although Jenn once took a foray into the world of Drosophila.
For a list of publications, see Jenn's Google Scholar Page
For a list of publications, see Jenn's Google Scholar Page
CURRENT Research projects
CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN A WIDELY DISTRIBUTED SPECIES COMPLEX
How species have adapted to the diversity of climatic conditions across the globe is not only of significance to evolutionary biologists, but crucial for ongoing conservation efforts under global climate change. A series of projects in the lab seek to understand range-wide adaptation to various climatic conditions in a widely-distributed species, as well as several closely related, narrowly-distributed endemic species. This project will integrate physiology with genomics to understand how plants adapt to different climatic conditions, how alleles are distributed across the species' range, and how those alleles may move under realistic migration models and a warming climate. This work is in close collaboration with Dr. Erika Edwards and Dr. Craig Brodersen's labs at Yale.
How species have adapted to the diversity of climatic conditions across the globe is not only of significance to evolutionary biologists, but crucial for ongoing conservation efforts under global climate change. A series of projects in the lab seek to understand range-wide adaptation to various climatic conditions in a widely-distributed species, as well as several closely related, narrowly-distributed endemic species. This project will integrate physiology with genomics to understand how plants adapt to different climatic conditions, how alleles are distributed across the species' range, and how those alleles may move under realistic migration models and a warming climate. This work is in close collaboration with Dr. Erika Edwards and Dr. Craig Brodersen's labs at Yale.
THE DYNAMICS OF INTROGRESSION IN NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC HYBRID SWARMS
In my postdoc with Daniel Matute at UNC, I worked on a number of projects to assess the factors that affect the dynamics of introgression in both natural and synthetic hybrid swarms. First, I've created replicate hybrid swarms from across Drosophila and grown these swarms in various environmental conditions. Current sequencing efforts will allow us to understand how different types and strengths of reproductive isolation, divergence time, and ecology influence the outcome of introgression. Second, I've been studying the dynamics of introgression in natural contact zones in Mimulus. This work can shed light on the importance of different types of barriers at limiting gene flow in nature, and also lay the groundwork for admixture mapping. You can read more about our thoughts on the importance of intrinsic barriers in speciation here!
In my postdoc with Daniel Matute at UNC, I worked on a number of projects to assess the factors that affect the dynamics of introgression in both natural and synthetic hybrid swarms. First, I've created replicate hybrid swarms from across Drosophila and grown these swarms in various environmental conditions. Current sequencing efforts will allow us to understand how different types and strengths of reproductive isolation, divergence time, and ecology influence the outcome of introgression. Second, I've been studying the dynamics of introgression in natural contact zones in Mimulus. This work can shed light on the importance of different types of barriers at limiting gene flow in nature, and also lay the groundwork for admixture mapping. You can read more about our thoughts on the importance of intrinsic barriers in speciation here!
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HYBRID SEED INVIABILITY
One of the most common reproductive barriers in vivparous organisms is early onset hybrid inviability that results from inappropriate development of essential nutritive tissues (e.g. placenta or endosperm). Despite it’s commonality, the genes that cause this incompatibility and the evolutionary forces responsible this inviability remain unclear. In this project, I explore the evolutionary and genetic mechanisms underlying hybrid seed inviability in naturally co-occurring Mimulus species. I used a combination of crossing surveys, developmental techniques, and a merger of classic quantitative genetics approaches and next-gen sequencing to quantify the extent of this incompatibility, determine the its genetic basis, and test hypotheses regarding its evolution. You can read more about this work here! |
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LIFE HISTORY EVOLUTION + HIGH ELEVATION ADAPTATION
Some of the most interesting adaptations are those to extreme environments. In the genus Mimulus, many perennial species exhibit the ability to make underground stolons (e.g. rhizomes; a horizontally creeping vegetative stem that burrows underground- pictured on the left in the photo, looking like white noodles). Burrowing underground may protect these perennial species from well below freezing temperatures in high elevation habitats, and allow them to live for multiple years. I've been studying the evolution of the ability to produce rhizomes, as well as other life history traits, in high elevation perennials using several perennials in the M. guttatus species complex. In a recent preprint, I combined species distribution modeling to assess elevational niche, with common garden surveys of several perennials in the M. guttatus species complex to identify the phylogenetic distribution of life history variation and assess correlations between niche and trait distributions. I then used classical quantitative genetics approaches with next generation sequencing to characterize the genetic architecture of life history divergence between two perennial species. You can read about this work here!
Some of the most interesting adaptations are those to extreme environments. In the genus Mimulus, many perennial species exhibit the ability to make underground stolons (e.g. rhizomes; a horizontally creeping vegetative stem that burrows underground- pictured on the left in the photo, looking like white noodles). Burrowing underground may protect these perennial species from well below freezing temperatures in high elevation habitats, and allow them to live for multiple years. I've been studying the evolution of the ability to produce rhizomes, as well as other life history traits, in high elevation perennials using several perennials in the M. guttatus species complex. In a recent preprint, I combined species distribution modeling to assess elevational niche, with common garden surveys of several perennials in the M. guttatus species complex to identify the phylogenetic distribution of life history variation and assess correlations between niche and trait distributions. I then used classical quantitative genetics approaches with next generation sequencing to characterize the genetic architecture of life history divergence between two perennial species. You can read about this work here!
HYBRID DWARFISM+ STERILITY
We are currently exploring interesting and complex patterns of hybrid sterility and dwarfism in the Mimulus guttatus species complex.
We are currently exploring interesting and complex patterns of hybrid sterility and dwarfism in the Mimulus guttatus species complex.
Previous WORKS
THE EVOLUTION OF CHROMOSOMAL INVERSIONS + ADAPTATION
Despite a growing acknowledgement that chromosomal inversions can play an important role in adaptation, the mechanism by which inversions contribute to adaptation remains unclear. I explored a chromosomal inversion which differentiates annual and perennial forms of Mimulus guttatus using the entire Mimulus guttatus species complex. I use various perennials in the group to test the role of this inversion in life history adaptation across the group, as well as to test hypotheses regarding recombination suppression of adaptive alleles. You can read about this work here
Despite a growing acknowledgement that chromosomal inversions can play an important role in adaptation, the mechanism by which inversions contribute to adaptation remains unclear. I explored a chromosomal inversion which differentiates annual and perennial forms of Mimulus guttatus using the entire Mimulus guttatus species complex. I use various perennials in the group to test the role of this inversion in life history adaptation across the group, as well as to test hypotheses regarding recombination suppression of adaptive alleles. You can read about this work here
THE GENETICS AND PLASTICITY OF DORMANCY IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA
In collaboration with Kathleen Donohue I completed some experiments on the genetic and environmental control of secondary dormancy in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that both environment and genotype determined secondary dormancy, in part, but that there wasn't a strong signal of GxE in our genotype panel. You can read about our work here and here.
In collaboration with Kathleen Donohue I completed some experiments on the genetic and environmental control of secondary dormancy in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that both environment and genotype determined secondary dormancy, in part, but that there wasn't a strong signal of GxE in our genotype panel. You can read about our work here and here.
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POLYPLOIDIZATION, MATING SYSTEM EVOLUTION, AND RANGE SIZE IN HAWTHORNS
During my MSc. at UofT, I completed a series of projects regarding the evolution of polyploidy and novel mating strategies (i.e. apomixis) and their consequences on range size and ecological niche. You can read about my work on dispersal here and on mechanisms of niche expansion here. |
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