Mary Jo Godt, PhD, Research Associate Over the past decade, my research focus has been in the area of plant conservation genetics. In collaboration with Jim Hamrick, I have examined genetic diversity and structure of twenty rare and endangered species of the southeastern United States, an area very rich in endemic plants. I have also examined the clonal structure and mating system of several rare species. The genetic structure of rare plants continues to be a focus of my research. Recently I have initiated research into the processes and consequences of hybridization within Sarracenia (pitcher plants), a complex genus of primarily southeastern carnivorous plant species, many of which are rare and threatened. On what might be considered the "flip side" of plant conservation issues, Jim Hamrick and I are currently collaborating on a study of an invasive flowering tree species. The spatial and temporal dynamics of the mating system of this colonizing tree species are the focus of this research. Another of my current research projects examines the effect of landscape patterns on gene flow into hardwood forest fragments at a southeastern site that has been highly influenced by human activities.