Research Projects

Boraginales Working Group

This group focuses on all aspects of biology relating to the members of the borage family. This includes taxonomy, evolution, physiology, anatomy, palynology and much more. Find out more on the Boraginales Working Group scratchpad.

Ecosystem Services of cultivated plants

Developing greener cities can help contribute to well-being and mitigate the effects of climate change. But what should we grow and where? We still have only a very limited understanding of how plants behave in the urban environment. Answering questions about what traits enable plants to perform ecosystem services is essential for understanding how we can plan ahead and explain why plants are crucial in our ever increasing urban societies.

Paubrasilia echinata, the tree that named a country

In this project, we explore the morphology, genetics and ecology of the national tree of Brazil, an endangered species, once dominant in the Atlantic rainforest but now greatly suffering from habitat loss.

New Zealand forget-me-nots

New Zealand is home to over 40 species of Myosotis, most of them are found nowhere else in the world. In 2016, I was able to join a team of experts from Te Papa Museum and the Department of Conservation to track down some of the southernmost populations of Myosotis rakiura, the stewart island forget-me-not.

Aroids of Ecuador

In 2014, I was able to join an expedition funded by the National Geographic Society (NGS) and led by Dr. Tom Croat , a world-leading expert on aroids, based in Missouri Botanic Garden.

From forests to savannas

This is the main research of my Ph.D. What are the factors influencing species composition and abundance in the transition zone between moist forests and savannas?

My journey will take me to remote areas in Northern Angola where citical sampling gaps need filling.