Research in our lab focuses on population genetics, the genetic basis of adaptation, and phylogenetic systematics of plant groups at the tips of the tree of life (genera and species).
Currently, there are several major research areas in lab:
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- Evolution of agricultural weeds in California’s Central Valley, including common chickweed (Stellaria media), shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), and waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus). Our research includes investigating the genetic basis of herbicide resistance, as well as population genomics to trace the origin of weedy populations. See related Perspective in Science: https://www.science.org/stoken/author-tokens/ST-904/full
- Population genetics, phylogenetics, and taxonomy of native North American wild species such as Phlox speciosa and Phlox pungens.
- Digitization of specimens from the Fresno State Herbarium to study phenological changes in the California flora over time. Currently, we are also using herbarium specimens in a collaborative project to build a Central California ethnobotany database.
The Waselkov Lab 