Principal Investigator
Daniel Spalink is an Assistant Professor of Plant Systematics in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University and Director of the S.M. Tracy Herbarium (TAES). Daniel received his Ph.D. from the Department of Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under Dr. Kenneth Sytsma, where he studied the ecological and biogeographical diversification of the sedge family, Cyperaceae. He then conducted a postdoc under Dr. Thomas Givnish at UW-Madison, where he studied the biogeography and diversification of the orchid family (Orchidaceae) and the spatial structure of phylogenetic diversity in the Wisconsin flora. Before joining the faculty at Texas A&M University, Daniel conducted a second postdoc under Dr. Lynn Bohs at the University of Utah, where he studied the genomic structure of phylogenetic discordance in the pepper tribe, Capsiceae.
Dr. Daniel Spalink CV
979.458.1118
dspalink@tamu.edu
Current Graduate Students
Katie Sanbonmatsu. Katie was born and raised in Salt Lake City, UT. She received a B.S. in Biology from the University of Utah, where she cultivated a love for plants. Her major interests concern the evolution, diversification, and historical biogeography of bryophytes (non-vascular plants). Her research is focused on using phylogenetics, biogeography, and population genetics to understand the ecological and intrinsic factors that contribute to the movement, colonization, and diversification of mosses. Katie’s favorite extra-curricular activities include gardening, hiking in her favorite place (the Wasatch Mountains), and keying out plants.
Katie[dot]sanbonmatsu[at]tamu[dot]edu
Kyle Simpson. Kyle hails from the small town of Anna, Texas, where his love for the natural world, first birds and then plants, was awakened. He received his B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from The University of Texas at Austin. Kyle’s research focuses on rare plant conservation. He is currently working on a phylogeny of Leavenworthia, a genus restricted to glades in eastern North America, population genetics of imperiled Leavenworthia species, assessments of community composition in eastern North American glades, and conservation of the rare, Texas glade-endemic species: Leavenworthia texana and Physaria pallida. In his free time, Kyle enjoys botanizing, taking pictures (mainly of plants), and tending to his collection of Cactaceae and Crassulaceae (his two favorite plant families).
kmsimpson[at]tamu[dot]edu
Kyle’s flickr
Kyle’s iNaturalist
Follow Kyle on Twitter @kmsimpsonplants
Lydia Morley. Lydia is a Salt Lake City, UT native. She attended the University of Utah, where she received a BS in philosophy, emphasizing in Philosophy of Science. She’s fascinated by the process of evolution, and she strives to understand the complex interactions between organisms and their environment over time and space. She’s excited to study the ecology, historical biogeography, and evolution of Platanthera (the Butterfly Orchids). Aside from all things philosophy and biology, Lydia loves spending time in her garden, cooking, and reading.
Lydia[dot]morley[at]tamu.edu
Cecile Renfro. Cecile was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and received her undergraduate degree in Plant Biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Cecile’s prior work for the federal government has sparked her interest in understanding how biodiversity emerges from ecological interactions and in applying this knowledge to real-world conservation issues. In our lab, she is exploring the structure and drivers of biodiversity in vascular plants across ecoregions and biomes. Cecile enjoys cooking, beading and hiking.
cecilerenfro[at]gmail.com
Adeyinka Adeyemi
Adeyinka received her B.S. in Botany from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Her undergraduate thesis investigated the anatomy, morphology, ploidy, and genetics of Acalypha. She is applying her expertise in these topics to understand the drivers of diversification and assembly in the sedge genus, Fimbristylis.
adeyinka08[at]tamu.edu
Malith Viduranga
Malith Viduranga comes from Sri Lanka, where his passion for plant sciences took root. He earned his BSc. in Plant Sciences with a focus on plant phylogenetics, systematics, and niche modeling from the University of Colombo. Malith’s research primarily centers on Sri Lankan Impatiens species, exploring their phylogenetic relationships, character evolution, niche dynamics, and biogeography. He is dedicated to enhancing access to Sri Lanka’s floral wealth, addressing diversification, and aiding in taxonomic plant identification. In his free time, Malith enjoys teaching, watching Bollywood movies, preparing traditional Sri Lankan meals, participating in stage drama acting and Sri Lankan traditional dancing.
Bhagya Weththasinghe
Bhagya is from a small village near the Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. She graduated from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a B.Sc. (Honors) in Plant Science. Her current work focuses on building a comprehensive phylogeny of all Sri Lankan Poaceae species, followed by a biogeographical and spatial phylogenetics study. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, pressing flowers, cycling, and exploring new places.