Head of Botanical Collections; McCarter 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...
Contact
Related Press Release and Blogs
Image slideshow
Screen reader users can skip the following slideshow buttons by using heading navigation. All slides have been displayed above.