Head, Botany Collections, and Collections Manager, Bryophytes and Pteridophytes
Gantz Family Collections Center
Kia ora! Greetings! I am originally from Aotearoa-New Zealand and relocated to Chicago in 2001. My field of interest has focused on the systematics of pteridophytes and bryophytes, particularly liverworts. I am stimulated by the variety of disciplines that plant systematics has to offer including aspects of plant ecology & biogeography, conservation, reproductive biology, morphology, ultrastructure, and the use of chemical markers. I am also particularly interested in theoretical aspects relating to species concepts and biogeography and how our understanding of these relate to conservation biology and conservation management decisions. I have deep interests in collection management and digitization (databasing and digital imaging). I also have strong interests in citizen science, education outreach and the dissemination of knowledge using various forms of multimedia.- Geographical Focus: Australasia, Oceania, southern South America; Worldwide in selected taxonomic groups.
- Plant systematics (especially liverworts), incl. biogeography, morphology, chemosystematics, cytogenetics & ecology.
- Conservation of rare and threatened plants.
- The use of electronic and computer technology to aid in identification and dissemination of knowledge.
- Collection management & Digital imaging.
- Community participation, citizen science & education outreach.
Education and Work
1996-2003: PhD (Biological Sciences), The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
**1997: **Attended Adult Learning and Teaching program, UNITEC, Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
1995: MSc (1st Class Honours), The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
1991: BSc (Botany), The University of Auckland, New Zealand.96-2003: PhD (Biological Sciences), The University of Auckland, New Zealand.- **2001 – Present. Collections Manager (Bryophytes & Pteridophytes). **The Field Museum, Chicago, U.S.A.
- 1998 – 1999. Research technician. The University of Auckland (School of Biological Sciences), New Zealand.
- 1997 – 1998. Lecturer (part-time), Plant Taxonomy.Unitec Institute of Technology (Landscape and Plant Sciences), New Zealand.
- **1996 – 1996. Tutor, Stage I Botany. **The University of Auckland (School of Biological Sciences), New Zealand.
- **1993 - 1994 & 1996, 1997. Teaching assistant, Stage I & II Botany. **The University of Auckland (School of Biological Sciences), New Zealand.
- **1995 Assistant to Environmental Consultant. **Transit New Zealand and Stephen King: Huia Conservators.
- **1995 – 1995. Temporary Research Technician. **HortResearch (Postharvest), New Zealand.
- 1992 – 1993. Pollen Analyst. The University of Auckland (UniServices), New Zealand.
Accomplishments
See attached publication list
Research Sketch
Major research programs
2005- present Early Land Plants Today: Unifying Liverwort Nomenclature, Taxonomy, and Geography. See: www.early-land-plants-today.org. Co-Founder and manager of a consortium of over 25 bryologists. See the following paper for an overview of the project: http://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2010/f/pt00009p021.pdf
2005- **present Liverwort Tree of Life: **A multi-institutional, collaborative project investigating evolutionary and phylogenetic relationships of the Liverwort phylum. Research partners include The Field Museum, Duke University, Yale University, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Michigan State. *Supported by the National Science Foundation*.
2004 -present Studies on the Liverwort Flora of the Fijian Islands:[In collaboration with Dr. Tamas Pócs, Eszterházy Károly College,Hungary; Dr. John E. Braggins, New Zealand; Dr. Elizabeth Brown, Australia; Dr. Matt Renner, Australia]
2002-present Revision of the Liverwort Genus Frullania in the Islands of Fiji.In collaboration with Tamás Pócs, Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor Emeritus, Department of Botany at the Eszterházy Károly College, Hungary.
2001-present ** Conservation of Rare and Endangered Liverworts in the New Zealand Bo...
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