Current Position
Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Science, University of Missouri. 

Research Interests
Systematics, phylogenetic and genome evolution of polyploid plants.

BSA Service
Committees:
Publications Strategic Planning Committee, 2020-present; Publications Committee, 2017-2020; Committee on Committees, 2013-2015; Early Career Award Committee, 2013-2014; Graduate Student Research Awards Committee, 2007-2009
Conference Organization:
Co-Organizer of Botanical Society of America symposium on “Comparative Biochemistry” (Rochester, MN USA.  July 2018); Co-Organizer of Botanical Society of America and American Society of Plant Taxonomy symposium on “Phylogenomics” (Chicago, IL, USA.  July 2007)
Editorial Roles:
Co-Editor with Michael Barker and Brian Husband, special issue on Polyploidy, American Journal of Botany, 2015; Co-Editor with Peter Raven and Jon Chase, Special issue on Biodiversity, American Journal of Botany, 2010

Other Service
American Society of Plant Taxonomy Awards Committee, 2013-2014; American Society of Plant Taxonomists Nominations Committee, 2007-2008; Genetics Society of America, Membership Committees, 2013-2014; International Arabidopsis Informatics Consortium (IAIC) Design Team, 2011; International Organization of Plant Biosystematists Council Member, 2001-2004; Multinational Brassica Genomics Consortium (MBGC), Chair (2011-2013) and member (2006-present); Natural Variation and Comparative Genomics subcommittee, MultinationalArabidopsisSteering Committee (MASC), Co-chair (2008-present) and member (2006-present); National Science Foundation Panel Service. 2011, 2013, 2015, 2020

Statement of Interest
I am honored to be nominated to serve as Secretary because the Botanical Society of America has been my main “society home” since starting my graduate studies in Botany at the University of Wisconsin. My recent service on the Strategic Planning Committee was an energizing experience that has renewed my enthusiasm for our professional society and our goals.

Current Position
Senior Conservation Scientist, Negaunee Institute for Plant Science and Action at the Chicago Botanic Garden; Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University

Research Interests
Plant comparative genomics, the evolution of plant parasitism, bryophyte systematics, adaptive radiations, phylogenomics

BSA Service
Technology Committee (2015-2018); Awards Committee (current); Senior Associate Editor, APPS; Strategic Planning Committee (2021)

Other Service
Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Northwestern Plant Biology and Conservation Program; 2017–present); George R. Cooley Award judge (2014, 2018); PhD Admissions Committee (Northwestern PBC Program; 2012–2015); Biology Climate Committee (Penn State; 2009)

Statement of Interest
BSA, ASPT, and ABLS have served as my botanical home for almost twenty years. I presented my first ever research talk at Botany 2003 in Mobile, AL and have consistently participated since. Recently I have felt a strong pull to become more involved in the society and was thrilled to have had the opportunity to serve on the strategic planning committee earlier this year. That experience provided me an opportunity to better understand how the society operates and, importantly, the goals for strengthening BSA in the coming years. My participation in BSA activities has always enhanced my sense of community, nurtured collaboration, and I truly consider its members to be my professional family. However, I know that not everyone shares these experiences and, as such, I am particularly motivated to support the mission of BSA as it takes critical steps towards being a more equitable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible society. As a scientist at a non-profit and as the PI of an REU Site award I feel strongly not only about the research mission of BSA, but also about its role in botanical outreach and education. I am profoundly honored to have been nominated to serve as BSA Secretary, and if elected, hope that through my participation I will be able to contribute to enhancing the mission of the society and the needs of its members.