Evolution of an Alpine Flora
I am interested in understanding the evolution and biogeography of the high Andean flora. Like the South American Valerianaceae, there are a number of plant groups whos center of diversity is in the high elevations of the Andes. By inferring phylogenies for a number of these groups, I hope to gain a better understanding for how this ecosystem as come to be so diverse (~60 percent of species are endemic!).
Molecular phylogenetic data, along with fossil information, will hopefully allow me to infer a temporal framework for the make up of this ecosystem as well.
I am an evolutionary biologist interested in phylogenetics, plant systematics, divergence time estimation, and biogeography