​Students can become involved in my work through undergraduate research, herbarium experiences, and master's thesis research. Opportunities vary from semester to semester, and my capacity to take on new students also varies. ​I am especially interested in working with students who are curious about plants, evolution, biodiversity, conservation, and collections-based science.

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Master's Research

I mentor master's students whose projects generally develop within broader research areas in my lab, while allowing students considerable room to develop their own questions and interests.

Potential research areas include:

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• Evolution and biogeography of Hawaiian plants

• Plant reproductive systems and sexual expression

• Population genetics and conservation of rare plants

• Australian plant diversity and biogeography

• Systematics, taxonomy, and species discovery

• Herbarium- and collections-based research

 

My mentoring style is collaborative and engaged. I work with students to develop a manageable research project while building skills in scientific reasoning, data analysis, writing, presentation, and independent research. Funding for graduate research is limited and varies by project; details are discussed with prospective students before committing to a project.

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Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate students may contribute to ongoing research in plant evolution, systematics, population genetics, reproductive biology, biogeography, and conservation. Projects can involve herbarium specimens, greenhouse-grown plants, field collections, morphological or molecular data, and analysis of existing datasets. Students do not need to arrive with extensive research experience; curiosity, reliability, and a willingness to learn are more important.

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Herbarium Opportunities

The Harry D. Thiers Herbarium at SF State provides opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience working with preserved plant collections used in research, teaching, and documentation of biodiversity. Activities may include specimen curation, databasing and digitization, plant identification, imaging, collection organization, and projects involving the California flora. Herbarium experience can be particularly valuable for students interested in botany, conservation, natural-history collections, environmental science, museums, or graduate research. Some research projects may also involve experience growing and maintaining plants in my research space in the SF State greenhouse.

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Interested in Working With Me?

I am developing a short student interest form for students who would like to be considered for future research or herbarium opportunities. Student interest form coming soon.

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A Note for High School Students

I appreciate the interest I receive from high school students who are excited about plant science and research. Unfortunately, I do not currently have the capacity to host or supervise high school students in my research lab.​ I encourage interested students to continue exploring botany through local natural-history organizations, gardens, museums, community science programs, and resources such as iNaturalist.