Dr. Dorothy Christopher
Assistant Professor
Science Building 146
christopherd@wcsu.edu
203-837-8831
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Christopher studies plant evolutionary ecology, with an emphasis on plant-pollinator interactions. She earned a BA in Biology from Earlham College and a PhD in Plant Biology from University of Georgia. Her doctoral research focused on the evolution of separate sexes in wild geranium, as well as population genetics of geranium across the eastern US. She was then a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where she studied the evolution of plant mating systems. She joined the WCSU Biology Dept. in 2022.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Research in the lab focuses on how pollinator community composition and pollinator behavior shape plant reproductive success. We study how patterns of visitation by different pollinator species influence the number of seeds produced and the rate of self fertilization. These factors have a significant impact on the genetic diversity and evolutionary trajectory of plant populations.
The lab is also interested in the mechanisms involved in the pollination process. We collect flowers to quantify the amount of pollen exported and deposited on stigmas. We use video to record pollinator flights, visitation rate to flowers, and grooming frequency. We analyze these videos to give us insight into where pollen is placed on the pollinator body, as well as the relative effectiveness of different pollinators.
Current projects in the lab include examining how climate change is altering plant-pollinator interactions by shifting the time of year in which each group is active, reducing the degree of overlap between these interacting species. We use many approaches to address these questions, including field work in experimental and natural populations, and greenhouse experiments.
SURF PRIMARY SETTING
Field and laboratory work.
SKILLS TO BE ACQUIRED DURING FELLOWSHIP
- Fieldwork techniques
- Plant and insect identification
- Experimental design
- Statistical data analysis including programming in R
- Shooting and analyzing high speed video
SKILLS REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FELLOWSHIP IN THIS LAB
- Good organizational skills
- Ability to record data meticulously
- Ability to spend long days outside, potentially in bad weather (cold, heat, rain)
FELLOWSHIP DATES
Contact faculty member for availability.
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