Potential Master's students considering joining my lab should note that SF State is a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) and offers Master's Degrees (no P.hDs). Additionally, and for the time being, the study systems of the lab are set (see the Research Tab) but, each student will be given the flexibility to pursue some of their own research questions. I am a hands-on mentor who is actively engaged with your research because I am passionate about the plants, and about preparing my students for success. Students in my lab are not expected to go onto Ph.D. programs (although some do!). Alternatively, I want to work with each student to ensure we help them reach their career objectives (such as government or NGO botanists, National or State Park employees, Biotech researchers, conservation scientists, herbarium/museum curators, environmental consultants, and many others). 

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As of Fall 2024, there are openings to study phylogenetics and biogeography of Hawaiian Coprosma spp. (Rubiaceae), population genetics and biogeograph of andromonoecious Solanum taxa (Solanaceae) from Northern and Central Australia. I am open to students who may be interested in helping to digitize the 27,000 Vascular Plant specimens SFSU herbarium which is currently funded by the NSF. Also, project ideas relating to the evolution of native California plants, particularly of the California Floristic Province are welcome. Please send me an email to inquire. 

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​Major themes of the lab include population genetics of rare, threatened, and/or endangered species, molecular phylogenetics using NGS sequencing, morphometrics of species complexes to better understand species boundaries, and taxonomic description of novel biodiversity. I share lab space with Dr. Kevin Simonin, and we can co-mentor students interested in the nexus of plant physiology, evolution, and systematics.

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If you are interested in more information, please contact me via email at cantley@sfsu.edu