We conduct molecular and morphological studies in my laboratory. 

I am interested in unraveling the evolutionary history of plants, and the work in my laboratory currently is centered on different aspects of this larger question:

•  the evolutionary relationships (systematics) of Dioscorea or the true yam, a monocot
•  the evolution of leaves in Dioscorea and the relationship between form and function
•  molecular evolution in Dioscorea
  

We investigate these questions at three levels

• molecular, including DNA sequencing (to determine evolutionary relationships) and study of gene expression (to understand function).
• morphological, including the study of variation in form and development of leaves
• physiological (to understand the relationship between form and function)

The true yams comprise a genus of about 800 species distributed across the New and Old World tropics. This group of plants may have played an important role in the early history of human beings in the humid tropics.  The genus includes important species that are used in various ways--

• as food: tubers (underground storage stem parts) are used especially in the Old World
• in traditional medicines
• as sources of ‘diosgenin’, a precursor in the industrial production of progesterone that made possible the wide availability of birth-control pills in the 1960’s.
  

We expect our studies to help us answer questions about the history of the genus Dioscorea, to lay the basis for detailed investigation of aspects of human migrations, and to develop detailed biological and evolutionary understanding of an important group of plants.

Students are encouraged to contact me about doing research for credit, towards an honors program. Sometimes research positions are available.  Work study positions are available each semester.

High school students who are interested in evolution and/or plants and are willing to work and think somewhat independently are encouraged to contact me about doing research. 

Currently one undergraduate, Sylvester Osa-Iyare, is conducting independent research on molecular evolution in Dioscorea.