I am broadly interested in plant evolutionary ecology; therefore, my lab studies a range of topics including plant mating system evolution, natural hybridization, pollination ecology, population & landscape genetics, phylogenetics, and population responses to climate change. Flowering plants provide an astounding template for studies of trait variation, particularly in the context of reproductive strategies. In our research, we leverage variation in natural plant populations across spatial and temporal scales to examine fundamental hypotheses in ecology and evolution.  Understanding these processes is crucial for predicting population responses to ongoing anthropogenic changes. Read below for examples of ongoing research projects and visit publications for more details.

Patterns of phenological shifts across scales

In the genus Triodanis, we have established climate-driven flowering time shifts, with multiple projects focused on T. perfoliata (the most widespread species). Our data indicate close phenological tracking at flowering time, particularly in the context of spring temperatures (See Berg et al. 2019; Berg et al. 2024). The next step of this project examined geographic variation in phenological tracking, as well as evidence for plasticity in flowering time. Taken together, our work emphasizes the importance of examining these patterns across different spatial scales, particularly for widespread species. (See fig at right from Martinez & Weber 2025.)

Ongoing work aims to quantify the potential role of germination in driving the timing of later life history stages, and to estimate the sensitivity of germination to similar abiotic cues. These phenological data are being used to build phenological niche models for predicting the capacity for phenological tracking under future climate scenarios. Our work in this area synergizes with phylogenetic work, as we aim to understand patterns of phenological (and fundamental niche) evolution at broader taxonomic scales.  

How do intrinsic & Extrinsic factors influence genetic diversity?

Standing genetic diversity serves as a template for evolutionary processes, yet the various drivers of genetic diversity are often poorly studied for any particular study organism.  Using T. perfoliata as a study system, we demonstrate how both historic (Simmonds et al. 2024) and contemporary climates (Tackett et al. 2022) can shape patterns of contemporary genetic diversity. Importantly, we also show that variation in the reproductive system (pCH: the relative proportion of open flowers to closed flowers) is highly correlated to standing genetic diversity in a population (see image below from Tackett et al. 2022). Several projects have developed from these initial questions including investigations into hybridization (McConnell et al. 2025) and a contemporary phylogenetic treatment of the genus ​Triodanis, many of these projects are in collaboration with Dr. Kurt Neubig (SIUC). 
Ongoing work is expanding these concepts by examining similar processes in closely related taxa and at broader evolutionary scales. Specifically, we will examine landscape genetic patterns in the closely related genus Legousia, which is native to the Mediterranean Basin. Many factors, both anthropogenic and natural, influence biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin, providing a novel opportunity for understanding the drivers of contemporary diversity. This work is also important for quantifying biodiversity in populations and habitats that may be under threat.

Evolution & Ecology of Mediterranean Bellflowers

Our lab is collaborates with Dr. Nico Cellinese and Dr. Andy Crowl​ (U of FL) to document critical patterns of taxonomic diversity in the highly threated Mediterranean Basin.  One of the closely related groups to our North American study group, Legousia, is endemic to this region. Much like other taxa of the MED Basin, this group is poorly studied overall. We are currently investigating evolutionary relationships among these clades to examine hypotheses about the MED Basin as a source or sink of evolutionary divergence. 

In addition to this broader evolutionary framework, we are establishing datasets to examine the potential for phenological shifts in this group, as well as to understand patterns of niche evolution at broad scales.