Nora Mitchell
Faculty
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Biology Department
Posted 12-10-24

Bluesky: @noraflora10.bsky.social

A photo of Nora doing some sunflower fieldwork.

I have two main research veins right now: the first is on the rapid evolutionary radiation of the genus Protea, a group of plants in South Africa. Some of my past work during my PhD at the University of Connecticut with Dr. Kent Holsinger examined trait-environment relationships and phylogenetics of the group, especially related to leaf traits. Right now, I"m trying to understand the role of biotic pollinators in the system, as these plants are primarily pollinated by birds, but also by beetles and even non-flying mammals! I'm fortunate to work with some amazing South African scientists, especially Dr. Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen, as well as tons of undergraduate students at my university.

The second project is looking at hybridization in plants using experimental systems in wild sunflowers (Helianthus) and also using phylogenetic comparative methods to study the correlates and consequences of hybridization across land plants, work which I started during my postdoc at the University of New Mexico with Dr. Ken Whitney. I really love being able to take this multi-pronged approach, from field sampling and common garden studies in really specific examples (Texas sunflowers) to the broad-scale, and trying to draw connections between micro- and macroevolutionary processes and patterns.

I am now an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, where I started in the fall of 2019. We are a primarily undergraduate institution and teach a lot of classes here, so I've tried to establish research projects amenable to study research especially. We have long-term common gardens of sunflowers and I've also completed two international fieldwork trips with students to South Africa! I also try to stay involved in collaborative projects, where my students and I can contribute to research being conducted across the country and even across the world!

Sampling a Protea in South Africa.

How Nora got interested in the botanical sciences:

I have always loved plants, and even had a plant press as a child! I would go out into the fields on the five-acre old farmland that I grew up on outside Rochester, New York, and would pick wildflowers to press and decorate. It wasn't until college that I first realized that I could turn that interest into a career though. I took the Field Botany and Plant Natural History course taught by Dr. Joan Edwards at Williams College in which we used plant presses to make collections, and I was hooked. I did research with her for two years after that, both in Massachusetts and at Isle Royale National Park, and have been hooked ever since!

A fieldwork selfie in South Africa with undergraduate students and collaborator Dr. Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen.

Nora's advice for those just starting their botanical journey:

As you get into a lot of the technical aspects of research, don't lose your passion for plants! Take in the wonder and let your natural curiosity guide you!

Nora playing ultimate frisbee at masters regionals in Oklahoma City in June 2024.

Nora's other passions:

I spend so much of my free time on ultimate frisbee! I started playing during my PhD, and now I play club and masters over the summer and coach the women's division college team at my university. I also am an organizer for the college division in our region, coordinating post-season tournaments and helping the college teams to meet their deadlines and all of the fun logistics!

 
Recent Articles in the American Journal of Botany and in Applications in Plant Sciences:
Mitchell, N., McAssey, E. V., & Hodel, R. G. (2023). Emerging methods in botanical DNA/RNA extraction. Applications in Plant Sciences, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11530

Mitchell, N., Piatczyc, N. P., Wang, D. D., & Edwards, J. (2022). High‐speed video and plant ultrastructure define mechanisms of gametophyte dispersal. Applications in Plant Sciences, 10(2), e11463. https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11463

Mitchell, N., & Holsinger, K. E. (2019). Microscale trait‐environment associations in two closely‐related South African shrubs. American Journal of Botany, 106(2), 211-222. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1234

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