Jason T. Cantley, PhD
I consider myself a botanist, evolutionary scientist, island biogeographer, and biodiversity scientist. I am interested in the evolution of adaptive radiations and what generates novel biodiversity. My research is geographically focused on many plant lineages from the Hawaiian Islands, Australia, and the California Floristic Province.
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Broadly, my research seeks to answer questions about biogeography and generators of novel biodiversity, through the use of phylogenetics, systematics, and morphometrics. I have a particular fondness for Asteraceae, but not all of my projects are within this family.
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I joined the faculty at San Francisco State University in 2017. SF State is a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI). Many of my duties include mentoring undergraduate and graduate students through research projects. SF State does not have Ph.D. students.
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Students in my lab conduct research by investigating topics of evolution and adaptation using tools ranging from morphometrics, phylogenetics, and population genetics. In many cases, both undergrad and graduate students may have to attend national and state conferences as well as have an opportunity to publish their work peer-reviewed publications.
Cantley (right) & Garett A. checking on logistics in a bog on Pu'u Kuku'i, West Maui.