Dianella G. Howarth

Dianella Gwen Howarth

Ph.D. Biology, Harvard University, 2002
B.A. (with Distinction), Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 1997

Contact Info:

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Yale University
P.O. Box 208106, New Haven, CT 06520-8106;
Tel: (203) 432-7168 OR 436-4992 Fax: (203) 432-5176; dianella.howarth@yale.edu

Research interests:

My interests lie in the genetic basis of flower morphology. I am currently examining the molecular evolution and expression of genes in the floral symmetry pathway (CYCLOIDEA, DIVARICATA, and RADIALIS) within the Dipsacales (first three pictures above). Duplications in the lineages of both CYC and DIV mirror each other within the monosymmetric Caprifoliaceae. Data from CYC-like genes indicate that these duplications correlate with shifts in gene expression between the subcopies, perhaps setting the ground plan for the shifts to different types of monosymmetry.

Publications:

Thesis: Evolution on Islands: Dispersal, Speciation, and Hybridization in Scaevola (Goodeniaceae) in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Harvard University. 2002.

Howarth, D. G. and M. J. Donoghue. Duplications in DIVARICATA in the monosymmetric Caprifoliaceae mirror those in the CYCLOIDEA lineage. in prep.

Howarth, D. G. and M. J. Donoghue. 2006. Phylogenetic Analysis of the “ECE” (CYC/TB1) Clade Reveals Duplications Predating the Core Eudicots. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 103(24): 9101-9106.

Howarth, D. G. and M. J. Donoghue. 2005. Duplications in CYC-like genes from Dipsacales correlate with floral form. Int. J. Plant Sci. 166(3): 357-370.

Howarth, D. G. and D. A. Baum. 2005. Genealogical evidence of homoploid hybrid speciation in an adaptive radiation of Scaevola (Goodeniaceae) in the Hawaiian Islands. Evolution 59(5): 948-961.

Randell, R. A., D. G. Howarth, and C. W. Morden. 2004. Genetic analysis of natural hybrids between endemic and alien Rubus (Rosaceae) species in Hawai’i. Conservation Genetics 5: 217-230.

Howarth, D. G., M. H. G. Gustafsson, D. A. Baum, and T. J. Motley. 2003. Phylogenetics of the genus Scaevola (Goodeniaceae): Implications for dispersal patterns across the Pacific Basin and colonization of the Hawaiian Islands. American Journal of Botany 90(6): 915-923.

Howarth, D. G., and D. A. Baum. 2002. Phylogenetic Utility of a Nuclear Intron from Nitrate Reductase for the study of closely related plant species. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 23: 525-528.

Howarth, D. G., D. Gardner, and C. Morden. 1997. Evolution and Biogeography of Rubus Subgenus Idaeobatus (Rosaceae) in the Hawaiian Islands. Syst. Bot. 22(3): 433-441.

Presentations:

Howarth, D. G. and M. J. Donoghue. Evolution of floral symmetry genes (including CYCLOIDEA): Gene duplications and diversifying expression. Evolution Meetings 2006.

Howarth, D. G. and M. J. Donoghue. Sequences from Dipsacales suggest deep eudicot duplications in the floral symmetry TCP genes. Botany Meetings 2004

Howarth, D. G. and M. J. Donoghue. Sequences from Dipsacales suggest deep eudicot duplications in the floral symmetry TCP genes. Evolution Meetings 2004.

Howarth, D. G. and D. A. Baum. Genealogical evidence of homoploid hybrid speciation in an adaptive radiation of Scaevola (Goodeniaceae) in the Hawaiian Islands. Evolution Meetings 2004.

Howarth, D. G., and D. A. Baum. Comparing three variable nuclear intron regions and nrDNA ITS to determine the phylogenetic history and a possible hybrid origin in a closely related Hawaiian clade in Scaevola (Goodeniaceae). Botany 2002 (Abstract).

Howarth, D. G. 2003. Evolution of Scaevola (Goodeniaceae), Bernice P. Bishop Museum special seminar, Hawaii.

Howarth, D. G. Evolution on Islands: Dispersal, Speciation, and Hybridization in Scaevola (Goodeniaceae) in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Invited Speaker, Yale University, 2002.

Howarth, D. G., T. J. Motley, and M. H. G. Gustafsson. Phylogenetics and Biogeography of Scaevola in the Pacific Basin. International Botanical Congress 1999 (Abstract).

Teaching experence:

Yale University: Lecturer, Plant Diversity and Evolution, course creator (Spring 2004-present), Diversity of Life, co-lecturer (Spring 2004-present)

Harvard University: Genetics (Grader, Spring 2002, 2001), Biodiversity (Spring 2001), Trees and Forests (Spring 2000), Evolutionary Biology (Fall 1999), Ecology (Designed discussion section on extreme environments, Spring 1999), Organismic and Evolutionary Biology for majors (Fall 2000, 1997).

Grants and Awards:

Runner-up for the George R. Cooley Award from the American Society of Plant Taxonomists at the 2004 Botany Meetings in Snowbird, UT

MORPH Research Coordination Network grant to attend the 2004 Botanical Society of America meeting Forest B. H. and Elizabeth D. W. Brown Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale University

Excellence in Teaching Award, Harvard University, Spring 2000, Fall 2000

Graduate Student Research Award. O.E.B., Harvard University, 1999. Funds to find and design primers for more variable nuclear regions to examine plant evolution.

Plant Systematics Training Grant, Harvard University, 1997-1999.

Thesis Improvement Grant, American Society of Plant Taxonomists, 1998. Funds to study the pattern of dispersal of Scaevola in the Pacific Basin.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention, 1998

Second Place, Neysa Cristol Adams Prize in Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 1997

Selected to participate in the NMNH Research Training Program Internship, NMNH Smithsonian Institution (Summer 1995).

Overall Grand Award, International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), participant in the Dr. Bessie F. Lawerence Weizmann Science Institute in Rehovot, Israel, 1993.

First Place Grand Award in Botany, ISEF, 1992 and 1993

Selected to present independent research in the Student Symposium on Marine Affairs, 1990: Howarth, D.G. Reproduction of Scaevola sericea (Naupaka-Kahakai): effects of floating in seawater. Proc. 15th Annual Student Symposium on Marine Affairs. pp. 53-58.