Ecological Section Best Student Presentation & Poster Awards

Each year the Ecological Section of the Botanical Society offers an award for the best student presentation at the annual meetings. A judging committee evaluates each student presentation and selects a winner based on the quality of the work and the presentation. The recipient of the award receives a certificate, a cash award, and is a guest of the Ecological Section at the BSA banquet.

2020 2021 2022 | 2023
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008
1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989

2023

PRESENTATION AWARDS

Bess Bookout, Kansas State University, For the Presentation: Bison wallows bolster plant diversity and semi-aquatic habitat in tallgrass prairie. Co-author: Zak Ratajczak.

Maya Shamsid-Deen, University of New Mexico, For the Presentation: The Little Mustard That Could: Is Phenotypic Plasticity Associated with Colonization Success in Arabidopsis thaliana. Co-author: Kenneth Whitney


POSTER AWARDS

Helena Mieras, University of New Mexico, For the Poster: Management Short-Term Implications on Lupinus perennis, Duff, and Supporting Vegetation in the Concord Pine Bush. Co-authors: Jennifer Rudgers, Cooper Kimball-Rhines, Heidi Holman​

Amber Stanley, University of Pittsburgh, For the Poster: Historical climate change shifts flower shape and production of a common annual plant, Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis). Co-author: Tia-Lynn Ashman


2022

PRESENTATION AWARD

Michael Peyton, University of Wisconsin – Madison, For the Presentation: An investigating into the role of functional traits and spatial scale in Hawaiian understory responses to pig disturbance. Co-author: Sara Hotchkiss 

 
POSTER AWARD

Blaire Kleiman, Florida International University, For the Presentation: How weeds affect insects in mango, Mangifera indica, cultivation of South Florida.

2021

GRADUATE PRESENTATION AWARD

Angela Walczyk, Michigan Technological University, For the Presentation: Investigating phenotypic plasticity within the cytotype complex of Solidago gigantea Aiton (Giant Goldenrod, Asteraceae). Co-Authors: Erika Hersch-Green


UNDERGRADUATE PRESENTATION AWARDS

Jonathan Hayes, Bucknell University, For the Presentation: Genetic diversity & connectivity of Chasmanthium latifolium (Poaceae) in Pennsylvania & the effect on conservation status of a rare species. Co-Authors: Tanisha Williams, Rachel Goad, Scott Schuette, Angela McDonnell,  and Christopher Martine

Kallol Mozumdar, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, For the Presentation: Resource-dependent sex allocation in Andromonoecy. Co-Authors: Vinita Gowda, and Priya Iyer


UNDERGRADUATE POSTER AWARD

Clara Lopez-Marmolejo, Instituto de Biologia-UNAM, For the Presentation: Hummingbirds as drivers of floral morphology in the Caribbean spurge Euphorbia tithymaloides. Co-Authors: Patrick McIntyre, N. Ivalu Cacho


2020

PRESENTATION AWARDS

Veronica Iriart, (Graduate), University of Pittsburgh, For the Presentation: Herbicide drift reveals species-level variation in stressor resistance and weakens co-flowering interactions in 25 wild plant species. Co-authors: Regina Baucom, Tia-Lynn Ashman

Jenni Velichka, (Undergraduate), Queen's University, For the Presenation: Intraspecific variation in seed dispersal strategies between annual and perennial ecotypes of Mimulus guttatus. Co-author: Jannice Friedman


POSTER AWARDS

Aleah Querns, (Graduate), North Carolina State University, For the Poster: The evolution of thermal tolerance and clines in native vs. invasive populations of Mimulus guttatus. Co-authors: Rachel Cooliver, Mario Vallejo-Marín, Seema, Sheth


2019

PRESENTATION AWARDS

Sophie Duncan
Intraspecific life history variation in the invasive range of Cynoglossum officinale, Boraginaceae. Co-author: Jennifer Williams


POSTER AWARDS

Jeremy Collings (Undergraduate), Assessing invasive plant management using understory vegetation surveys. Co-author: Andrea Devalos

Victoria Luizzi (Graduate), Is floral scent production energetically costly? Co-authors: Hampus Petren, Magne Friberg

Tanisha Williams (Graduate), Using species distribution models to assess the impacts contemporary and forecasted climate change has on the distribution patterns of Pelargonium species throughout South Africa. Co-authors: Carl Schlichting, Kent Holsinger


2018

PRESENTATION AWARDS

Sydney Houghton - (Undergraduate Student), Seed Pod Wind Dispersal of Holmgren’s Milk-vetch Astragalus holmgreniorum. Co-authors: Susan Meyer, Michael T. Stevens

Jessamine Finch - (Graduate Student), Effects of seed source vary among species, early life stages, and field sites for two milkweeds (Asclepias sp.). Co-authors: Alexandra Seglias, Andrea Kramer, Kayri Havens


POSTER AWARDS

He-Lo Ramirez - (Undergraduate Student), Leaf trait variation in a Quercus lobata common garden experiment is not explained by climatic conditions of maternal seed source. Co-authors: Christopher Ivey, Victoria Sork, Jessica Wright

Anthony Melton - (Graduate Student), Niche Evolution in Rapid Radiations: Do Hybridization and Polyploidization Drive Niche Divergence? Co-authors: Pamela S. Soltis, Douglas Soltis

2017

PRESENTATION AWARDS
Nicholas Flanders (Graduate Student), Old Dominion University, for the paper “The Role of Generalist Avian Frugivores in Determining the Distribution of the Mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum” Co-authors: Eric Walters, Christopher P. Randle and Lytton Musselman

Michelle Gaynor (Undergraduate Student), University of Central Florida, for the paper “The Influence of Genome Duplication on Brassicaceae and Rosaceae Communities Across the United States” Co-authors: Julienne Ng and Robert Laport

POSTER AWARDS
Melissa Vergara, University of California at Santa Cruz, for the poster “Do herbivores prefer flower buds over leaves? Evaluating caterpillar preferences in evening primroses (Onagraceae)” Co-authors: Krissa Skogen, Tania Jogesh and Kathleen Kay

Nic Diaz, Bucknell University, for the poster “Examining niche divergence of cryptic species within the Hawaiian Coprosma foliosa Complex (Rubiaceae)” Co-authors: Jason Cantley and Christopher Martine


2016
Ian Matthew Jones (Graduate Student), Florida International University, for the paper “Changing Light Conditions in Pine Rockland Habitats Affect the Outcome of Ant-Plant Interactions” Co-authors: Suzanne Koptur, Hilma R Gallegos, Joseph P Tardanico and Patricia A Trainer

Meghan Garanich (Graduate Student), Bucknell University, for the paper “Identification of fire tolerance thresholds in seeds of the Western Australian endemic bush tomato, Solanum beaugleholei (Solanaceae)” Co-authors: Jason Cantley, Lacey Gavala, Ingrid Jordon-Thaden and Chris Martine

Scott Eckert, The College of New Jersey, for the best Graduate Student poster “Juvenile trees in suburban forests: insights from structural equation modeling” Co-author: Janet Morrison


2015
Emily Rollinson (Graduate Student), Stony Brook University, for the paper “Functional diversity and the assembly of riparian plant communities” Co-author: Jessica Gurevitch

Tammy Elliot (Graduate Student), McGill University, for the paper “Understanding shifting plant boundary distributions using phylogenetic methods” Co-author: T. Jonathan Davies

Hanna Dorman, Mississippi State University, for the best Graduate Student poster “Genetic Structure of Rhizobia Associated with Chamaecrista fasciculata” Co-author: Lisa Wallace

Mae Lacey, for the best Undergraduate Student poster “Exploring the potential for Solanum fruit ingestion and seed dispersal by rock-dwelling mammals in the Australian monsoon tropics” Co-authors: Elizabeth Capaldi, Ingrid Jordon-Thaden and Chris Martine


2014
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARD
Clayton J. Visger , University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History, for the paper “Niche Divergence in Tolmiea (Saxifragaceae): using Ecological Niche Modeling to develop a testable hypothesis for a diploid-autotetraploid species pair” Co-authors: Charlotte Germain-Aubrey, PAMELA S. SOLTIS, and Douglas E. Soltis

GRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARD
Rachel M. Germain, University of Toronto, for the paper “Hidden responses to environmental variation: maternal effects reveal species niche dimensions” Co-author: Benjamin Gilbert

BEST STUDENT POSTER
Takashi Yamamoto, Chiba University, for the poster “Refugia might affect the genetic structure of a sea-dispersal plants: Vigna marina” Co-authors: Koji Takayama, Reiko Nagashima, Yoichi Tateishi, and Tadashi Kajita

Ignacio Vera, for the poster “Comparing Seed Viability and Harvest Consistency Across Sites and Years for the Federally Endangered Plant Eriastrum densifolium spp. sanctorum

Davis Blasini, Chicago Botanic Garden, for the poster “Introduction of Echinacea pallida in the Prairies of Western Minnesota and its Possible Effects on Native Echinacea angustifolia” Co-author: Stuart Wagenius


2013
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARD, Sponsored by LI-COR
Jenna Annis, Eastern Illinois University, for the paper “Seed Ecology of Federally Threatened Pinguicula ionantha (Godfrey's Butterwort)” Co-authors: Jennifer O'Brien, Janice Coons, Brenda Molano-Flores and Samantha Primer

Nia Johnson, Howard University, for the poster “Herbivory Response of Murgantia histrionica to a Ni-hyperaccumulator, Alyssum murale” Co-authors: Chandler Puritty, and Mary McKenna

Chandler Puritty, Howard University, for the poster “Herbivory Response of Murgantia histrionica to a Ni-hyperaccumulator, Alyssum murale” Co-authors: Nia Johnson, and Mary McKenna

GRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARD, Sponsored by LI-COR
Ian Jones, Florida International University, for the paper “Temporal and developmental changes in extrafloral nectar production in Senna mexicana var. chapmanii: is extrafloral nectar an inducible defense?

BEST STUDENT POSTER, Sponsored by LI-COR
Jordan Ahee, Trent University, for the poster “Evidence of restricted pollen dispersal in Typha latifolia” Co-authors: Marcel Dorken and Wendy Van Drunen


2012
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARD, Sponsored by LI-COR
Megan Ward, SUNY Plattsburgh, Advisor, Christopher Martine, for the paper “Establishment of new regional herbarium leads to more than 100 new flora atlas records for New York State.” Co-author: Christopher Martine.

Jenna Annis and Jennifer O’Brien, Eastern Illinois University, Advisor, Janice Coons, for the paper “Breaking seed dormancy of Penstemon tubiflorus.” Co-authors: Janice Coons and Nancy Coutant.

GRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARD, Sponsored by LI-COR
Roxanneh Khorsand Rosa, Florida International University, Advisor Suzanne Koptur, for the paper “Floral biology and pollination of an agroforestry palm, Mauritia flexuosa: why field observations are not enough!.” Co-authors: Reinaldo Imbrozio Barbosa and Suzanne Koptur.

Dan Park, University of California, Davis, Advisor Daniel Potter, for the paper “Weed profiling: a molecular phylogenetic approach to Darwin’s Naturalization Hypothesis.” Co-author: Daniel Potter.

BEST STUDENT POSTER, Sponsored by LI-COR
Jennifer Murphy, John Carroll University, Advisor, Rebecca Drenovsky, for the poster, “Early life history traits in globally invasive and non-invasive Rosa congeners.” Co-authors: Lindsay Bernhard, Maria Loya, Rachael Glover and Rebecca Drenovsky.


2011
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARD, Sponsored by LI-COR
Brandi Cannon, Ohio State University, Advisor, Christopher Randle, for the paper “Presentation, aroma, and flavor: Investigation of host cues in the orientation and establishment of Phoradendron serotinum (Viscaceae).” Co-authors: Jessica Garrison, James Sopas, Timothy Verastegui and Christopher Randle.

GRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARD, Sponsored by LI-COR
John Stanton-Geddes, University of Minnesota Advisor, Ruth Shaw, for the paper “Ecological and genetic contributions to range limits in Chamaecrista fasciculata.” Co-authors: Peter Tiffin and Ruth Shaw.

BEST STUDENT POSTER, Sponsored by LI-COR
Steven Callen, of Saint Louis University, Advisor, Allison Miller for the poster, “Assessing the environmental niches of native and introduced Pueraria montana (kudzu).” Co-authors: Jason Knouft and Allison Miller.


2010
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Amy Davidson, from the Kansas State University, for the paper “Invasive species demonstrate higher phenotypic plasticity but native species have greater resilience to worsening conditions.” Co-author, Adrienne B. Nicotra.

BEST STUDENT POSTER
Amy Campbell, of Ohio State University, for her poster, “Fitness-Related Traits of Cultivated vs. Wild Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): Implications for Widespread Planting of Biofuel Cultivars.” Co-author, Allison Snow.


2008
BEST STUDENT POSTER
Iman Sylvain, of Howard University, for her poster, “Comparison of Seedling Fitness in the Hyperaccumulator, Alyssum murale Waldst and Kit. (Brassicaceae) in Soils With and Without Nickel.”


2007
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Teresa M. Woods, from the Kansas State University, for the paper “Multiple reproductive modes contribute to fitness homeostasis of the invasive Lespedeza cuneata (Fabaceae)” Co-authors were David C. Hartnett and Carolyn J. Ferguson.

BEST STUDENT POSTER
Mauricio Diazgranados, of Saint Louis University for the poster “Testing the conservatism of the ecological niche of the Espeletia complex


2006
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Cristina Aragón, of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, for the paper “Relationship between physiological status and fitness-related traits in a semi-arid specialist, Helianthemum squamatum, in two contrasting scenarios

BEST STUDENT POSTER
Jessica Rabenold, of University of Missouri-Columbia for the paper “Friend or foe: effects of ants on fitness of an alpine wildflower, Polemonium viscosum


2005
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
John Geiger, Florida International University
For his paper “Breeding system investigation of the endangered vine Ipomopa microdactyla Griseb

Yvonne C. Davila, University of Sydney
For her paper “Does geographic, annual and diurnal variation in pollinator visitation define a generalist-pollinated plant?” Co-author was Glenda M. Wardle.

BEST STUDENT POSTER
Christopher Martine, University of Connecticut
For his poster “Predicting the next woody invasives in New England: A model-based approach to identifying future threats.” Co-authors were Patrick M. Herron, Andrew M. Latimer, Stacey A. Leicht, and Eric S. Mosher.


2004
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Sally Chess, San Francisco State University
For her paper "Evidence for pollinator-mediated selection in Linanthus dichotomous". Her co-authors were Robert A. Rugoso and Gretchen LeBuhn.

BEST STUDENT POSTER
Hester Bell, Rancho Ana Botanical Garden
For her poster “Population genetics of Swallenia alexandrae (Poaceae), the Eureka Valley Dunes Grass.” Her co-authors were E. Friar and J. T. Columbus.


2003
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Jenise Snyder from Florida International University
For her paper "Spikelet phenology and floral compatibility of sawgrass, Cladium jamaicense (Cyperaceae) in the south Florida Everglades". Her co-author was Jennifer Richards.

BEST STUDENT POSTER
Christina Coleman, Auburn University
For her poster "Herbivore defenseas an explanation for hyper accumulation: Relative heavy metal toxicity to diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella)." Her co-author was Robert Boyd.


2001
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Radika Bhaskar, Stanford University
For her paper "Responses of hydraulic traits to light and water availability in a California chaparral shrub." David Ackerly was co-author;

Nicole Sudler, University of Kentucky, Lexington
For her paper "Phenotypic selection on sexual reproduction vs. clonal expansion in five populations of Viola blanda."

BEST STUDENT POSTER
Priscilla Callahan, University of Oklahoma
For her poster "The effects of mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) encroachment on species diversity and composition of a mixed grass prairie." Bruce Hoagland and Phillip Crawford were co-authors.


1999
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION - Jochen Schenk

BEST STUDENT POSTER - Bruce Robart


1997
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION - Mary N. Puterbaugh from the University of Missouri
For her paper, entitled "The role of ants as floral visitors in the alpine."


1996
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
James Robert Bier from Indiana University
Received an award for his paper entitled "Influence of fungal endophytes on the demography of two woodland grasses: effects of light, water, and nutrient stress." This work was supervised by Dr. Keith Clay.

Carolyn Howes Kelffer, from Ohio University
For her paper entitled "Seed germination, survival, biomass allocation, and salt accumulation of five inland halophyte species." The work was supervised by Dr. Irwin Ungar.


1994
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Andrea L. Case of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The paper was entitled "Manipulation of grandparental temperature and parental flowering time." Co-authors were Elizabeth Lacy and Robin Hopkins.


1990
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Paul Bradley of the University of South Carolina
For his paper, "Effects of salinity on the kinetics of NH4 uptake in Spartinaalterniflora."


1989
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Martha R. Weiss, University of California, Berkeley
For her paper, "Floral color change and maintenance of older flowers: an experimental evaluation of their roles in pollinator visitation."


1988
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Susan A. Langevin of Louisiana State University
For her paper, "Hybridization between red rice and cultivated rice (Oryza sativa)."


1983
BEST STUDENT PRESENTATION
Candace Galen from the Botany Department at the University of Texas
For her paper, entitled "Ants, bumblebees, and seed production in floral scent morphs of Polemonium viscosum." It examined the effects of pollinators and floral predators on seed production of sweet and skunky morphs of P. viscosum at two altitudes in alpine communities in Colorado.