Student Research
Identification based on morphology, or physical characteristics, is often challenging for certain plant specimens. This summer, Associate Professors of Biology Dr. Danielle Grove and Dr. Stephanie Perez worked with students Mariluz Gonzalez, Leila Martinez, and Jasmine Sierra using DNA Sequences to more accurately identify certain plant specimens stored in the TLU Herbarium. Gonzalez focused on identification of Paspalum Grasses in the family Poaceae. Martinez worked to identify sedges in the Carex genus. Sierra worked on the molecular identification of three challenging Oxalis species within the wood-sorrel family. These three students also spent time during their summer research assisting and teaching four additional students on a project identifying Eragrostis specimens. Morphological identification of plant specimens and initial project design were determined with assistance from Drs. Mark Gustafson and Alan Lievens. Funding was supported by the Weston Ranch Foundation and the National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education HSI SURE grant.
Biology Professors Dr. Alan Lievens and Dr. Mark Gustafson once again led a group of student researchers on their Weston Ranch project. Madison Schultz, Hannah Welfel, Kristin Lucero, and Isaac Orozco collected plant specimens from the Weston Ranch, created scientific voucher specimens, and visited the Plant Resources Center at The University of Texas at Austin. The research group sampled permanent study plots for an experiment on the effects on grassland plant diversity of removing invasive shrubs. They also collected tissue samples and analyzed DNA barcodes, which were contributed to an international database of DNA sequences.
Leila Martinez (top) and Jasmine Sierra in the Biology Lab.
Students Isaac Orozco, Madison Schultz, Hannah Welfel, and Kristin Lucero at the Weston Ranch in Marion, Texas
