Johanna Schmitt
Stephen T. Olney Professor of Natural History
Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
Ph.D., Stanford University

My lab is interested in the adaptive evolution of developmental, physiological, and life history traits in natural plant populations. We use quantitative genetics, QTL mapping, and association studies of candidate loci to examine the genetic basis of natural variation in ecologically important traits. We also measure natural selection on these traits and the loci underlying them in the field by experimentally manipulating environments, phenotypes, and genotypes. Recently we have explored the evolution of adaptive plasticity using phytochrome-mediated “shade avoidance” responses to crowding and vegetation shade as a model system. Another major research objective is to elucidate the genetic and ecological mechanisms of adaptation to seasonal and geographic variation in climate.

(requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®

top