Dr. Diana Jolles, Assistant Professor of Botany, Biological Sciences Department, Plymouth State University. Diana is currently investigating the genetic and geographic patterns of (1) Cypripedium acaule Aiton (Orchid family) lineages in northern New England, (2) Eastern North American and neotropical Chimaphila (Heath family), and (3) hybridization in Californian Pyrola picta and P. aphylla. Dr. Jolles teaches courses in general biology, general botany, plants & society, field biology, and phylogenetics at PSU.
Dr. Tommy Stoughton, Research Faculty, Biological Sciences Dept. and Center for the Environment, Plymouth State University. Tommy’s current research is focused on phylogenomics of polyploid plant lineages growing in and around the Great Basin, and biogeographic patterns of bolete species complexes growing in New England, including Harrya chromapes (Boletaceae), the yellowfoot bolete, a primarily eastern North American species that also occurs in Costa Rica and China.
Hannah Vollmer is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow studying the population genetics and phylogeography of Potentilla robbinsiana (Rosaceae), a narrow endemic from the local White Mountains. Her study will utilize the RADseq (Restriction site Associated DNA markers) method and represents the first comprehensive genetic study of the species. Hannah’s work is currently supported by the New England Botanical Club, American Society of Plant Taxonomists, and Plymouth State University.
Bridget Curran (MS student in Biology) is researching habitat resiliency using a buzz-pollinated flora of New England. She is (a) identifying angiosperms with poricidal anthers from the flora of New England (along with their pollinators!) and determining whether they are buzz pollinated, (b) determining relative optimal frequencies required to expel pollen, and (c) quantifying the distribution and abundance of buzz-pollinated plant species across a subsampling of New England habitats.
Lindsey Webb (BS in Environmental Science) is studying the correspondence between perianth color polymorphism in Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady’s Slipper) and genetic diversity within the species. To do this, she’s collected samples throughout New England, is quantifying color digitally, and will use NGS data to identify genetic lineages in the group.
Kayla Walazek, Biology alumna at PSU (2018), researched lineage diversification and reproductive biology of Cypripedium acaule, the pink lady’s slipper orchid.
Matthew Treanor, PSU alumnus (2019, B.S. in business, biology minor) studied morphological variation in genus Boechera (mustard family) from the southern Rocky Mountains and worked tirelessly on digitizing herbarium specimens at PSH, a collection of approximately 20K plants.
Jolles Lab 