Archives: Staff
Tania Hernandez
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
Research Interests Monarch and milkweed interactions Beneficial insect-plant interactions Plant physiology and chemical ecology Horticultural and restoration protocol development Science outreach to inspire conservation action Personal Statement I manage the Garden’s...
Kim Pegram
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 am responsible for direction of two conservation initiatives at the...
Andrew Salywon
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
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...
Joe Mcauliffe
RESEARCH INTERESTS Plant community ecology Population ecology of long-lived perennial plants of deserts Plant-soil relationships and ecophysiology Multidisciplinary collaborations involving geology, soil science, hydrology and ecology Paleoecology and paleoclimatology...
Dan F. Koepke
RESEARCH INTERESTS • Plant physiological ecology • Hydraulic architecture and morphology of plants; xylem cavitation • Plant responses to water stress; drought-induced mortality mechanisms • Plant histology • Restoration ecology; establishment of common...
Kristen Kindl
PERSONAL STATEMENT I work with the other plant registrar, under the guidance of the Curator of Living Collections, in maintaining the Garden’s plant records for our Living Collection. This includes identifying, inventorying, mapping and accessioning the plants in the...
