Department of Biology

Education

• B.S., Wildlife Management (1984) West Virginia University

• M.S., Biology (1990)West Virginia University

• Ph.D., Biology (1994) West Virginia University
  

Postdoctoral Experience

• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Princeton University (1994-1996)

Courses (Stetson students can access course information via BlackBoard)

• BIOL 244 Ecology and Evolution

• BIOL 305 Flora of Florida

• BIOL 450 Plant Ecology

Research

As a plant ecologist, I am generally interested in the response of plant populations to environmental stress. In Florida, I study adaptations in passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) that play a role in response to attack by a specialized herbivory. I also investigate the ecology of an endangered milkweed (Asclepias curtissii) that is endemic to Florida scrub. In Alaska, I am part of a research team studying genetic differences among plant populations in response to local climatic differences.

• Publications

• Current Projects and Collaborators

Other Interests 

Dr. Karen Cole (Director of the Gillespie Museum of Minerals) and I are developing a teaching landscape on campus to educate members of our local community about the historic landscape that existed in DeLand prior to European settlement.  The Volusia Sandhill Teaching Landscape is being established adjacent to the Rinker Environmental Learning Center and will provide opportunities for environmental programming related to native plants and sustainable landscaping.