Botany Staff
Dr. Richard McCourt
Associate Curator of Botany
(Currently on leave at the National Science Foundation)
703-292-7138
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Interests: Algal systematics, historical botany
Ph.D. University of Arizona.
I do research on the evolution and systematics of green algae, specifically a group known as charophyte algae. These are the green algae that are the closest living relatives of land plants and include some well-known algae such as Spirogyra and stoneworts. I'm interested in understanding the phylogeny of these algae-that is, their evolutionary relationships with other algae and with land plants. I'm interested to know what were the evolutionary events that allowed the descendants of charophyte algae to emerge from their habitats in freshwater ponds onto land. For details, see the Academy news website and my Personal Research website.
I also work on the Lewis and Clark Herbarium at the Academy, and with Earle E. Spamer have co-authored a Special Publication CD-ROM and other publications on the Lewis and Clark Herbarium. I have worked at the Academy since 1997. Before that I was an Associate Professor at DePaul University in Chicago, where I taught ecology, evolution, and introductory biology.
Alina Freire-Fierro, M. S.
Collection Manager
215-299-1157
www.neotropicos.net
Interests: Systematics of Neotropical Polygalaceae, Monnina in particular; Andean flora
M. S., University of Missouri-St. Louis, M. emC. Universidade de Sao Paulo.
My research is focused on Neotropical Polygalaceae, in particular Monnina, as well as Ecuadorian Saxifragaceae s.l. and neotropical floristics. During my studies and career, I have done extensive fieldwork in the Andean region of Ecuador, as well as in the Campos rupestres of Brazil. I have also done field trips to Bolivia and Costa Rica. My morphological research, and molecular studies suggest that Monnina is a monophyletic group with a high variability in habit (herbs to small trees) and fruit morphology (drupes to samaras). The papilionaceous flowers are very similar, except for two species endemic to northeastern Brazil that exhibit flowers very different.
Besides the revision of Monnina, I have been working with floristic treatments of Polygalaceae from Bolivia, Antioquia (Colombia), and the Southern Cone. I have recently started working at the Academy. Before that, I was a Research Specialist at the Missouri Botanical Garden (www.mobot.org), where I am now a Research Associate.
Throughout my career I have met many colleagues from Latin American and, in order to facilitate communication within the community, I have created and administer the discussion group Anuncios Botanicos (espanol.groups.yahoo.com/ group/Anunciosbotanicos/).
Dr. Alfred E. (Ernie) Schuyler
Curator Emeritus
215-405-5088
Interests: Historic American botanical collections; historic botanical literature and art.
PhD (University of Michigan).
My present research interests are in the (1) systematics and ecology of rare plant species, (2) relationships between plant diversity and environmental quality, and (3) history of botanical exploration in North America. I also teach university, college, and adult education courses in plant systematics, ecology, and environmental issues.
Dr. Benjamin Torke
Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Molecular Evolution
Ph.D., Washington University (expected completion: December, 2006). M.S., Ohio University, 1997. B.S., Ball State University, 1994.
Interests: Systematics, biogeography, and evolutionary diversification of Neotropical trees, with emphasis on the genus Swartzia (Leguminosae).
My current research is motivated by an interest in the tremendously high levels of species diversity that characterize tree communities in lowland Neotropical rainforests. A major goal is to understand the historical, ecological, and evolutionary mechanisms that underlie the diversifications of species-rich clades of Neotropical trees. To this end, I am deeply involved in a long-term international collaborative effort to build a variety of biological datasets for the genus Swartzia (Leguminosae), which has about 200 species distributed throughout the lowland Neotropics, particularly in rainforests. Extensive fieldwork in Neotropical countries and a growing collection database provide the raw data for systematic and evolutionary studies. My doctoral research produced the first molecular phylogeny for Swartzia and the only comprehensive biogeographic analysis of the genus. Research at the Academy focuses on particular clades of closely related species of Swartzia and utilizes molecular phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches to reconstruct the timing and evolutionary histories of population divergences and speciation events. Future efforts will incorporate GIS-based analyses to examine broad scale environmental correlates of genetic divergence, speciation, and cladogenesis and will focus on the role of breeding systems and chromosomal evolution in speciation. Ultimately, I hope to make all of these studies and datasets broadly available such that Swartzia can be used as model system for the study of Neotropical tree diversification.
One of the most exciting parts of my work entails the examination of new herbarium collections from remote parts of the distribution of Swartzia. These specimens have often brought to light the existence of species new to science. As such, I am always happy to receive Swartzia specimen loans or gifts for determination.
Dr. Torke's website can be found at:
web.mac.com/bmtorke/iWeb/benjamintorke/Home.html
Ms. Elana Benamy
Curatorial Assistant
215-299-1137
Ms. Amanda Labadie
Curatorial Assistant
215-299-1192
I have a great interest in drawing biological specimens, and during the summer of 2005, I was given the opportunity to intern at the Academy as an REU. During that experience, I worked closely with scientists and made illustrations for their research publications. In May 2006, I graduated from Arcadia University with a B. A. in Scientific Illustration and am currently working as a curatorial assistant in the botany department. Right now I am involved in a project that involves taking digital pictures and databasing type specimens. In the future, I plan to continue my education by either pursuing a master's degree in museum studies or completing a second degree that involves the health sciences (particularly dental hygiene).
Ms. Lorae Simpson
Flora of PennsylvaniaIntern
215-299-1192