Plant Evolutionary Genetics & Genomics @ UGA

Department of Plant Biology :: University of Georgia :: Athens, GA

Our research interests lie at the intersection of evolutionary genetics and comparative genomics. In our work, we use a variety of tools and approaches to study the molecular basis of evolutionary change in the sunflower family (i.e., the Compositae or Asteraceae). We are also interested in the ecological and evolutionary effects of gene flow from genetically modified crops into their wild relatives.

Specific topics of interest include: plant domestication, crop evolution, the evolution of genome structure, floral developmental evolution, crop-wild gene flow, transgene escape, parallel and convergent evolution, abiotic stress resistance, adaptation, and the evolution of reproductive isolation.