Archives: Staff

Challie Facemire

December 5, 2022

I manage the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (CAZCA) program at Desert Botanical Garden. CAZCA is an alliance of partners that are committed to protecting the open spaces in central Arizona. For more information about CAZCA, visit here. I serve as a convenor for...

Aryn Musgrave

June 14, 2022

Research Interests Geographic Information Science Community Engagement in Biodiversity Conservation Biogeography Ethnobotany Personal Statement As part of the Research, Conservation, and Collections team, I manage the enterprise geographic information system and...

Alexandra (Ali) Schuessler, M.S.

April 7, 2022

Research Interests: Fungal ecology and genetics Plant/fungal interactions Desert plant physiology and genetics Invasive species ecology Riparian restoration Personal Statement I manage the plant physiology and molecular labs where staff studies the traits and...

Kimberlie McCue

December 8, 2021

RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION INTERESTS Population ecology and genetics of rare plants in situ and ex situ seed bank dynamics Invasive species Conservation science outreach and education SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Albrecht, M. and K.A. McCue. 2009. Changes in demographic...

Tania Hernandez

January 22, 2021

Research Interests Origin, evolution and diversification of succulent lineages, with particular focus on Cactaceae and Agavoideae Origin and evolution of the succulent syndrome and the CAM strategy Evolutionary Genomics of succulent plants Plant evolution with a...

Natalie Melkonoff

March 11, 2020

Research Interests Monarch and milkweed interactions Beneficial insect-plant interactions Development of horticultural protocols for native plants Development of restoration techniques Science outreach to inspire conservation action Personal Statement I coordinate the...

Kim Pegram

February 21, 2020

Research Interests Monarch and milkweed ecology Beneficial insects Animal coloration Predator-prey interactions and warning signals Science outreach to inspire conservation action Personal Statement I manage pollinator and butterfly conservation initiatives and...

Joni Ward

June 30, 2018

RESEARCH INTERESTS Data basing Inventorying Accessioning the Garden’s Living Collection Flora of Arizona and the Southwest PERSONAL STATEMENT As one of two Plant Registrars, I use my analytical skills to interpret our GIS maps and to data base, inventory, identify and...

Andrew Salywon

June 30, 2018

RESEARCH INTERESTS Biochemistry of Seed Oils Conservation Biology Molecular Ecology New Crop Development Plant Systematics using both traditional and molecular data PERSONAL STATEMENT I came to the Desert Botanical Garden after completing my Ph.D. in Plant Biology and...

Raul Puente-Martinez

June 30, 2018

RESEARCH INTERESTS Systematics of the subfamily Opuntioideae (Cactaceae) in northern Mexico Opuntia and Nopalea systematic and biogeography Hybridization in the prickly pears Ethnobotany of prickly pears in Mexico Sustainability and landscape use of desert plants...