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The Donovan lab investigates plant evolutionary
ecophysiological, with an emphasis on stress and resource use traits as
they relate to plant performance. We examine ecological and
evolutionary responses to growth limiting factors (e.g. water and nutrient limitations,
salinity, and competition) in a number of plant systems. Our current
study system is primarily a suite of Helianthus species, due to their
wide-ranging ecology and available genetic and genomic tools. However, we also include other species from
a variety of habitats (desert and coastal sand dunes, saline desert playas
and coastal salt marshes, and Great Basin shrub steppe) as well as model
plants such as Arabidopsis when appropriate. In general, we want to
know how individual plant traits affect plant fitness and distribution, and
how these traits evolve. To address these questions, we use a
combination of ecological, ecophysiological, evolutionary genetic and
genomic approaches. Please see the RESEARCH page for descriptions of individual
projects.
We are now finalizing our admissions for our graduate
program for fall 2010 admissions. It
is not too early to start inquiries about fall 2011 admissions. We have strong programs in ecology and
evolution, and several options for student support. If you are potentially interested, please
contact Lisa Donovan and other faculty to discuss research areas and
funding opportunities.
Informal
list of classes currently available for UGA graduate students in the areas
of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology.
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