Postdoctoral Fellows

Katie Becklin

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D. University of Missouri, Columbia, 2010
phone: 864-5690
kbecklin@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor:
Joy Ward

Research Interests: Interactions between plants and other organisms, the effects of plant-fungus interactions on plant physiology and evolution, and the impact of global change on plant-fungus interactions.

Recent Publications:

  • Becklin, KM and Galen, C. 2009. Intra- and interspecific variation in mycorrhizal associations across a heterogeneous habitat gradient in alpine plant communities. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 41:183-190.

  • Becklin, KM. 2008. An evolutionary arms race: understanding plant-herbivore interactions. American Biology Teacher 70:288-292.

  • Becklin, KM and Kirkpatrick, HE. 2006. Compensation through rosette formation: Scarlet gilia’s (Ipomopsis aggregata) response to mammalian herbivory. Canadian Journal of Botany 84:1298-1303.

Recent Presentations:

  • Becklin, KM, Pallo, ML and Galen, C. 2010. Indirect effects of willows reduce arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in understory plants. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA.

  • Becklin, KM, Pallo, ML and Galen, C. 2009 Using net mycorrhizal benefits to explain and predict plant invasions. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM.

  • Becklin, KM. 2008. Mycorrhizal associations: Connecting belowground processes to aboveground biodiversity. Alpine Vegetation Workshop, National Parks Service, Lakewood, CO.

  • Becklin, KM and Galen, C. 2008. The good, the bad, and the costly: Effects of shading and drought on the costs and benefits of mycorrhizal associations. Botany Society of America Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC.

Bennett, Daniel

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D. University of Kansas 2010
phone: 785-766-6535
danben@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: Caroline Chaboo

Research Interest: Systematics, behavior, and geological history of insects, particularly aculeate Hymenoptera

Recent Publications:

  • Ortega-Blanco J., D.J. Bennett, X. Declòs, & M.S. Engel. 2009. A primitive aphidiine wasp in Albian amber from Spain and a northern hemisphere origin for the subfamily (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 82(4): 273–282.

  • Engel, M.S., J. Ortega-Blanco, & D.J. Bennett. 2009. A remarkable tiphiiform wasp in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae). Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 112(1/2): 1–6.

  • Ohl, M. & D.J. Bennett. 2009. A new genus and species of apoid wasps from Saxonian amber (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Crabronidae). Denisia 26: 145–150.

  • Bennett, D.J. & M.S. Engel. 2008. Anoblepsis, a new bizarre braconid wasp genus in Dominican amber (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 81(4): 368–372.

  • Bennett, D.J. 2008. The ophionine wasps of Hawaii (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 17(1): 1–43.

  • Bennett, D.J. & M.S. Engel. 2008. Pison menkei, a new crabronid wasp in Dominican amber. Beiträge zur Entomologie 58(1): 113–119.

  • Bennett, D.J. & M.S. Engel. 2006. A new moustache wasp in Dominican amber, with an account of apoid wasp evolution emphasizing Crabroninae (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae). American Museum Novitates 3529: 1–10.

Recent Presentations:

  • Bennett, D.J. 2011. An overview of the genus Quexua, with a description of a new species from southeastern Peru (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Crabronini). Annual meeting of the Central States Entomological Society, Lawrence, Kansas. Submitted oral contribution.

  • Bennett, D.J. 2010. Phylogenetics of Crabronini, with a consideration of the evolution of predatory and nesting behaviors. University of Kansas Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology dissertation defense.

  • Bennett, D.J. 2009. Meet the mustache wasps: Phylogenetics and nesting behavior of the Crabronina (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Crabronini). Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis IN. Submitted oral contribution.

  • Bennett, D.J. 2009. Meet the mustache wasps: Phylogenetics and nesting behavior of the Crabronina (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Crabronini). University of Kansas Entomology Program seminar series.

Benni Bomfleur

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D. 2010, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster, GERMANY
Phone: (785) 864-4255
bbomfleur@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: Thomas N. Taylor and Edith Taylor

Research Interest: Systematics, palaeophysiology, and palaeoecology of Antarctic plant fossils; sedimentology and palymostratigraphy; Polar geology.

Recent Publications:

  • Bomfleur, B., Krings, M., Taylor, T.N., and Taylor, E.L.: Macrofossil evidence for pleuromeialean lycophytes from the Triassic of Antarctica. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.
  • Bomfleur, B., Pott, C., and Kerp, H.: Plant assemblages from the Shafer Peak Formation (Lower Jurassic), north Victoria Land, Transantarctic Mountains. Antarctic Science.
  • Hübers, M., Bomfleur, B., Krings, H., and Kerp, H.: An Early Carboniferous leaf-colonizing fungus. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie.
  • Bomfleur, B. and Kerp, H. (2010): Dicroidium diversity in the Upper Triassic of North Victoria Land, East Antarctica. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 160(3/4): 67–101.
  • Bomfleur, B. and Kerp, H. (2010): The first record of the dipterid fern leaf Clathropteris Brongniart from Antarctica and its relation to Polyphacelus stormensis Yao, Taylor et Taylor. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 160(3/4): 143–153.
  • Bomfleur, B., Krings, M., and Kerp, H. (2010): Thalloid organisms and the fossil record: new perspectives from the Transantarctic Mountains. Plant Signaling and Behavior, 5(3): 293–295.
  • Moisan, P., Abad, E., Bomfleur, B., and Kerp, H.: A Late Triassic flora from Gomero (Santa Juana Formation), Chile. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, 258(1): 89–106.
  • Bomfleur, B., M. Krings, J. Kastovsky, and H.Kerp. 2009. An enigmatic non-marine thalloid organism from the Triassic of East Antarctica. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 157(3/4): 317-325.
  • Krings, M., H. Kerp, and B. Bomfleur. 2008. Zur Wedelentwicklung und Heterophyllie bei Pteridospermen aus dem Oberkarbon und Unterperm. Abhandlungen des Westfalischen Museums for Naturkunde, 70(3/4): 453-464.

Recent Presentations:

  • Bomfleur, B. and Kerp, H. (2010): A remarkably diverse Late Triassic Dicroidium flora (Corystospermales) from South Polar latitudes.– 8th European Palaeobotany & Palynology Conference, abstracts; Budapest.
  • Kerp, H. and Bomfleur, B. (2010): Photography of fossil plants – some tips and tricks.– 8th European Palaeobotany & Palynology Conference, abstracts; Budapest.
  • Decombeix, A.-L., Bomfleur, B., Taylor, E.L., and Taylor, T.N. (2010): Anatomy and affinities of Early Jurassic wood from Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica.– 8th European Palaeobotany & Palynology Conference, abstracts; Budapest.
  • Bomfleur, B., Burgholz, A., and Kerp, H. (2009): Considerations on the evolution and the distribution of the seed fern Dicroidium (Corystospermales).– 79. Jahrestagung der Paläontologischen Gesellschaft, abstracts; Bonn.
  • Bomfleur, B., Kerp, H. (2009): Cuticular analysis of a very diverse Late Triassic Dicroidium assemblage from Antarctica. Botany & Mycology 2009, abstracts; Snowbird, UT.
  • Bomfleur, B., Krings, M., Kastovsky, J., and Kerp, H. (2009): Ein rätselhafter thalloider Organismus aus der Trias des Transantarktischen Gebirges. Treffen des Arbeitskreises „Polargeologie“, conference abstracts; Potsdam.
  • Bomfleur, B., and H. Kerp. 2009. Cuticular analysis of a very diverse late Triassic Dicroidium assemblage from Antarctica. Botany and Mycology 2009, conference abstracts: Snowbird, UT, USA.
  • Bomfleur, B., and H. Kerp, S. Hotzel, J. Schneider, R. Schoner, and L. Viereck-Gotte. 2008. The continental Traiassic-Jurassic boundary sequence in North Victoria Land, Antarctica. XII International Palynological Congress and VIII Interternal Organization of Paleobotany Conference, abstract vol. 32: Bonn, Germany.

Vanessa Koelling

Vanessa Keolling

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D.2008, University of Georgia, Athens
Phone: (785) 864-3848
vkoelling@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: John Kelly

Research Interests: Evolutionary genetics; Speciation, Plant mating system evolution

Recent Publications:

  • Conner, J. K., K. Karoly, C. Stewart, V. A. Koelling, H. Sahli, F. H. Shaw. 2011. Rapid independent trait evolution despite a strong pleiotropic genetic correlation. The American Naturalist 178: 429-441. doi: 10.1086/66190

  • Koelling, V. A., J. L. Hamrick, and R. Mauricio. 2011. Genetic diversity and structure in two species of Leavenworthia with self-incompatible and self-compatible populations. Heredity 106: 310-318. doi:10.1038/hdy.2010.59

  • Koelling, V. A., and R. Mauricio. 2010. Genetic factors associated with mating system cause a partial reproductive barrier between two parapatric species of Leavenworthia (Brassicaceae). American Journal of Botany 97: 412-422. doi:10.3732/ajb.0900184

Recent Presentations:

  • Koelling, V. A., P. J. Monnahan, and J. K. Kelly. 2011. Estimating outcrossing rate and inbreeding depression from marker data when family sizes are small. Oral presentation, Botany 2011 (St. Louis, MO)
  • Koelling, V. A., and J. K. Kelly. 2010. Estimating outcrossing rate and inbreeding depression from marker data when family sizes are small. Oral presentation, Evolution 2010 (Portland, OR)
  • Koelling, V. A. and R. Mauricio. 2009. Reproductive barriers in Leavenworthia. Oral presentation, Evolution 2009 (Moscow, ID)



Jianwei Li

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D. 2009, Duke University
Phone: (785) 864-1564
jwli@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsors: Sharon Billings

Research Interests: Ecosystem ecology, soil microbial ecology and biogeochemistry

Recent Publications:

  • Li, J., D. D. Richter, 2009. Transformation of soil iron oxides in response to land use histories in the Southeastern Piedmont USA. Biogeochemistry.
  • Li, J., D. D. Richter, A. Mendoza, and P. R. Heine. 2009. Effects of land use history on soil spatial heterogeneity of macro- and trace elements in the South Piedmont USA.
  • Li, J., D. D. Richter, A. Mendoza, and P. R. Heine. 2008. Four-decade responses of soil trace elements to an aggrading old-field forest: B, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe. Ecology 89(10): 2911–2923.

Recent Presentations:

  • Li, J. 2009. Five-decade soil changes in response to forest redevelopment: micronutrient perspective.  2nd Global Soil Changes Workshop, Duke University, Durham, NC, June.
  • Li, J. 2009. Soil trace element changes during ecosystem development. Henry J. Oosting Memorial Lecture, Duke University, Durham, NC, April.
  • Li, J. D. Richter, A. Mendoza, P. Heine. 2008. Four-decade responses of soil trace elements to an aggrading old-field forest: B, MN, Zn, Cu and Fe. 93rd Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI, August.

Juliana Medeiros

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D., University of New Mexico
Phone: (785) 864-5690
jmedeiros@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: Joy Ward

Research Interests: My research interests include the interaction between plants and their environment, the evolution of plant physiological characters and phenotypic plasticity, whole plant co-ordination of function, plant physiological adaptations to arid environments, plant reproduction, plant population dynamics and the evolutionary responses of plants to changing climates.

Recent Publications:

  • Marshall, D. OL., J. J. Avritt, S. Maliakal-Witt, J. S. Medeiros and M. G. M. Shaner. 2010. The impact of plant and flowre age on mating patters. Annals of Botany 105: 7-22.
  • Marshall, D. L., J. Reynolds, N. J. Abrahamson, H.L. Simpson, M.G. Barnes, J. S. Medeiros, S. Walsh, D. M. Oliveras and J. J. Avritt. 2007. Do differences in plant and flower age change mating patters and alter offspring fitness in Raphanus sativus (Brassicaceae)? American Journal of Botany 94(3):409-418.
  • Marshall, D. L., N. J. Abrahamson, J. J. Avritt, P.M. Hall, J.S. Medeiros, J. Reynolds, M.G.M. Shaner, H.L. Simpson, A. N. Trafton, A. P. Tyler and S. Walsh. 2005. Differences in plastic responses to defoliation due to variation in the timing of treatments for two species of Sesbania (Fabaceae). Annals of Botany 95(6): 1049-1058.

Recent Presentations:

  • Medeiros, J. S. 2009. Variation in freezing tolerance in high Larrea tridentata from North America and high and low latitude L. divariacata from South America. Ecological Society America Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, N.M.
  • Medeiros, J.S. 2009. Drought increases freezing tolerance in leaves and xylem of Larrea tridentata. American Society of Plant Biologists. Western Section Meeting, Tuscon, AZ.
  • Medeiros, J. S. 2008. Variation in physiological responses to freezing in a high latitude population of Larrea tridentata. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Milwaukee, WI.
  • Medeiros, J. S. 2008. A critical thinking approach to teaching scientific inquiry. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI.
  • Medeiros, J. S. 2007. Freezing tolerance in high and low latitude populations of Larrea tridentata: Evidence for local adaptation to long-term minimum temperature. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, San Jose, CA.

    Medeiros, J.S. 2007. Freezing tolerance in high and low latitutde populations of Larrea tridentata: Evidence for local adaptation to long-term minimum temperature Greater Rockey Mountain Population Biologists Annual Meeting. Ghost Ranch, NM.

 

Jarad Mellard

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D. 2010, Michigan State University
Phone: (785) 864-4323
mellard@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: Ford Ballantyne

Research Interest: Aquatic ecosystem ecology, phytoplankton ecology, loss processes, nutrient recycling, spatial heterogeneity, biotic and abiotic feedbacks, competition for light

Recent Publications:

  • Mellard, J.P., K. Yoshiyama, E. Litchman and C.A. Klausmeier. In Press. The vertical distribution of phytoplankton in stratified water columns. Journal of Theoretical Biology.

  • Yoshiyama, K., J.P. Mellard, E. Litchman and C.A. Klausmeier. 2009. Phytoplankton competition for nutrients and light in a stratified water column. American Naturalist 174: 190-203.

Recent Presentations:

  • Mellard, J.P., K. Yoshiyama, E. Litchman, and C.A. Klausmeier. 2009. The games algae play: competition for nutrients and light in poorly mixed water columns. Annual Meeting for Ecological Society of America (ESA). Albuquerque, New Mexico, August.

  • Mellard, J.P., K. Yoshiyama, E. Litchman, and C.A. Klausmeier. 2008. The vertical distribution of phytoplankton in stratified water columns. Annual Meeting for Ecological Society of America (ESA). Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August.

Jill Preston

Jill C. Preston Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D., University of Missouri—St. Louis
Phone: (785) 864-5690
jcpxt8@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: Lena Hileman

Research Interest: Developmental genetic basis of inflorescence and flower evolution.

Recent Publications:

  • Preston, J. C. In press. Evolutionary genetics of core eudicot inflorescence and flower development. International Journal of Plant Developmental Biology.
  • Preston, J. C., A. Christensen, S. T. Malcomber, and E.A. Kellogg. 2009. MADS-box gene expression suggests a floral origin for sterile organs of the grass spikelet. American Journal of Botany 96(8): 1-11.
  • Preston, J. C. and L. C. Hileman. 2009. Developmental genetics of floral symmetry evolution. Trends in Plant Science 14(3): 147-154.
  • Preston, J. C. , M. Kost, and L. C. Hileman. 2009. Conservation and diversification of the symmetry developmental program among close relatives of snapdragon wtih divergent floral morphologies. New Phytologist. 182(3): 751-762.
  • Preston, J. C.and E. A. Kellogg. 2008. Discrete developmental roles for temperate cereal grass Vernalization1/Fruitful-like genes in flowering competency and the transition to flowering. Plant Physiology 146: 1-12.
  • Preston, J. C. and E. A. Kellogg. 2008. Discrete developmental roles for temperate cereal grass VERNALIZATION1/FRUITFULL-like genes in flowering competency and the transition to flowering. Plant Physiology. 146: 1–12.

Recent Presentations:

  • Preston, J. C. 2009. Importance of multigene transcription factor families for flower development and its diversification. Smithsonian Botanical Symposium on Genes, Genomics, and Genome Evolution in Plants, Washington D.C., March.
  • Preston, J. C. 2009.. Evolutionary developmental genetics of floral morphology in the Lamiales. Biological Sciences Departmental Seminar Series, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, August
  • Preston, J. C. and Hileman, L. C. 2009. A putative regulator of the AP1/FUL floral meristem identity genes initiates flowering in Antirrhinum majus. Botany and Mycology Meeting, Snowbird, Utah, July.
  • Martinez, C. C., J. C. Preston, and L. C. Hileman. 2009. Duplication and divergence of Veronicaceae floral symmetry genes: implications for the reduction/loss of floral zygomorphy and stamens.

 

Patricia Ryberg

Post-doctoral researcher Ph.D.,
University of Kansas
Phone: (785) 864-4255
rybergp@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: Edith and Tom Taylor

Research Interest: High latitutde and Gondwanan paleobiology

Recent Publications:

  • Ryberg, P.E. 2010. Lakkosia kerasata gen. et sp. nov., a permineralized megasporangiate glossopterid structure from the Central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica. International Journal of Plant Sciences 171: 332-344.

  • Ryberg, P.E. 2009. Reproductive diversity of Antarctic glossopterid seed-ferns. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 158: 167-179.

  • Ryberg, P.E., Hermsen, E.J., Taylor, E.L., Taylor, T.N., Osborn, J.W. 2008. Development and ecological implications of dormant buds in the high-paleolatitude sphenophyte Spaciinodum (Equisetaceae). American Journal of Botany 95: 1443-1453.

  • Taylor, E.L., Ryberg, P.E. 2007. Tree growth at polar latitudes based on fossil tree ring analysis. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, and Palaeoecology 255: 246-264.

  • Ryberg, P.E., Taylor, E.L., Taylor, T.N. 2007. Secondary phloem anatomy of Cycadeoidea (Bennettitales). American Journal of Botany 94: 791-798

Recent Presentations:

  • Ryberg, P.E., Taylor, E.L., Taylor, T.N. 2011. Mt. Achernar: A window into Antarctic glossopterid diversity. Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting 2011, St. Louis, MO, July 9-13.

  • Ryberg, P.E., Stockey, R.A., Hilton, J., Riding, J.B., Rothwell, G.W. 2010. Early evolution of Pinaceae: an anatomically preserved Pinus seed cone from the Early Cretaceous Yorkshire. Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting 2010, Providence, RI, July 31- August 4.

  • Ryberg, P.E., Taylor, E.L. 2009. A reassessment of permineralized glossopterid ovulate structures from the Central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica. Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting 2009, Snowbird, UT, July 25-30.

  • Ryberg, P.E., Taylor, E.L. 2008. Glossopterid reproductive structures from the central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica. Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada, July 26-30.

  • Ryberg, P.E., Taylor, E.L. 2008. Permineralized pollen sacs and pollen morphology from the Permian of the central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica. 8th International Organisation of Palaeobotany Conference, Bonn, Germany, August 30 – September 5.

  • Ryberg, P.E., Taylor, E.L. 2008. Permian and Triassic tree rings as high latitude paleoclimate indicators. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Houston, TX, October 5-9.

 

 

Corey Welch

Corey Welch

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle
Phone: (785) 864-4066
CoreyWelch@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: Robert M. Timm

Research Interests: Biogeography and Population Genetics of North American mammals; Biogeography of Australian songbirds.

Recent Publications:

  • Welch, C.K. and G.J. Kenagy. (In Review). Contrasting phylogeography and demographic history of two sympatric moles, SCAPANUS. Submitted to the Journal of Mammalogy.
  • Welch, C.K. and G.J. Kenagy. Conservation status of pocket gophers in disjunct alpine and lowland habitats in the Pacific Northwest of North America, Journal of Animal Conservation.
  • Welch, C.K. and S.V. Edwards. Biogeographic breaks and population histories of two Treecreeper (Climacteris) sister-species in eastern and northern Australia, Emu.
  • Welch, C.K. 2006. Mitochondrial DNA and Karyotypic Differentiation of a Geographically Isolated Peninsular and Lowland Populations of Mazama Pocket Gophers (Thomomys mazama) in Washington: Conservation Recommendations; Proceedings of the First Mazama Pocket Gopher Workshop and Final Report on Needed Conservation Actions 2006-2010. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Olympia, WA.

Recent Presentations:

  • Welch, C.K. 2008. The rare Olympic Pocket Gopher: an underground life. Olympic National Park Speaker Series, April.
  • Welch, C.K. 2007. Biogeography, genetics, and conservation status of the Mazama pocket gopher, Thomomys mazama. Department of Biology Seminar, University of Puget Sound, April.

Derrick Zwickl

Derrick Zwickl

Post-doctoral researcher
Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin
Phone: (785) 864-1768
zwickl@ku.edu

Faculty Sponsor: Mark Holder

Research Interest: Theoretical Systematics

Recent Publications:

  • Holder, Mark T., Derrick J. Zwickl and Christophe Dessimoz. 2008 (in press). Evaluating the Robustness of Phylogenetic Methods to Among-Site Variability in Substitution Processes. Phil. Trans. R Soc. B: Biol. Sci.
  • Heath, Tracy A., Derrick J. Zwickl, Junhyong Kim and David M. Hillis. 2008. Taxon sampling affects inferences of macroevolutionary processes from phylogenetic trees. Syst. Biol. 57(1):160–6.
  • Zakon, Harold H., Ying Lu, Derrick J. Zwickl and David M. Hillis. 2006. Sodium channel genes and the evolution of diversity in communication signals of electric fishes: Convergent molecular evolution. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 103(10):3675–80.