Letter from the ChairDear alumni anD FrienDs

ThepastyearhasbeenabusyandsuccessfulonefortheDepartmentofBotany.Asyouwillseeinthepagesthatfollow,manyBotanyfaculty,staff,andstudentshavegarneredawardsandothermarkersofsuccess.Sara HotchkissandMarisa Otegui

bothbreezedthroughtheirreviewsforpromotiontoAssociateProfessors,withtenure.Likewise, Ken CameronwaspromotedfromAssociatetoFullProfessorandwehadthepleasureofcelebratingTed Cochrane’s 40thyearasacuratorintheWisconsinStateHerbarium.Asoutlinedinthepagesofthisnewsletter,theBotanyDepartment“family”hasgrownbytheadditionofseveralnewfaces. Attheotherendofthecareerspectrum,wecelebratedtheretirementsofthreelong-termstaffmembers,Sue Bader, Claudia Lipke,andLoraine Pilgrim, andhadtosaygoodbyetoourinformationtechnologist,Tom Maher,whomovedtoPittsburgh. Tim Allensurprisedusbyannouncinghisintentiontoretireattheendof2010.Timhasinformedandinspiredthousandsofstudentsduringhis40yearsofteachingatUW.ItishardtoimagineBotanywithoutTim’slecturesreverberating(literallyandfiguratively)throughoutthebuilding.WewillbecelebratingTim’saccomplishmentsatadinneronJanuary14attheArboretum(detailstobepostedonthedepartmentwebsite). Thisyear,onceagain,manydepartmentmemberswerehonoredforteachingaccomplish-ments.Also,wereceivedthegoodnewsthattheNationalResearchCouncil’srankingofUSDoctoral

ProgramsshowedUW–Botanyasthetopprograminmanycategories,withthebest overall ranking score. OverthesummerweheardfromtheNationalScienceFoundationthatnewgrantproposalssubmittedbyBotanyfacultymembers,amountingtoabout$7.5million,willbefunded.Whenaddedtotheabundantresearchactivitythatisalreadyunderway,wecanfeelverygoodaboutthelargequantityofhigh-qualitysciencethatishappeningintheBotanyDepartment. Inothergoodnews,thecollegehasallowedustobeginasearchforanewAssistantProfessorintheareaofplantbiochemistry.Facultysearchesarealwaysenergizing,sincetheyallowustoexaminethebrightestyoungscientists’accomplishmentsandheargreattalks.Inalllikelihoodwewillhavemadeanoffer,andmaybeevenhaveanewcolleagueonstaff,thistimenextyear. Overall,theBotanyDepartmentisthriving,thanksinnosmallparttothesupportandencouragementofourmanyfriendsandalumni!OnbehalfoftheentiredepartmentIwouldliketothankyouallandwishyougoodhealthanddeepfulfillmentinallyourpersonalandprofessionalventures!

David Baum, Chair

D e p a r t m e n t o F B o t a n y www.botany.wisc.edu

Alumni ne wsletter

F A L L • 2 0 1 0

2 Department of Botany

Neil McLaughlinjoinedtheBotanyfrontofficeasaUniversityServicesAssociateinMay,2010.PriortoworkingattheUW,NeilworkedasacontractorattheDisabilityDeterminationBureaufor2years,andformanyyearsbeforethatasamanufacturingengineerforSealGraphicsandL.A.DarlingCompany,bothinSun

Prairie.AmongNeil’smanyresponsibilitiesiscollectinginformationforthenewsletter,soreadersareencouragedtokeepsendingnewsbotany@ls.wisc.edu!

Sarah FriedrichjoinedtheBotanyDepartmentasaMediaSpecialistinApril2010.ShecomestothedepartmentasastudentoftheGraphicDesignandIllustrationprogramatMadisonCollege,fromwhichshewillgraduateinDecember.Priortothat,SarahgraduatedfromtheUWwithadoublemajorin

GermanandArtHistoryandworkedasatrademarkinfringementresearcher.Inherfreetime,Sarahlikestostayactive,playingsoccer,softball,tennis,biking,kayakingandcamping.Shealsotriestofindtimeforherownartprojects.

DistinguishedlichenologistDr.ThomasH.NashIIIhasrelocatedtoMadisonafterretiringfromArizonaStateU.afternearly40yearsofservice.HeisnowaSeniorScientistwithintheDepartmentofBotanyandsharesofficespacewithintheStateHerbariumwherehewillcontinuetostudyNorth

AmericanlichentaxonomyandhelpcoordinatetheConsortiumofNorthAmericanLichenHerbaria.WearedelightedtohaveTomjointheBotanyDepartment!

Dr.NashwasrecognizedforhislifetimeachievementsinLichenologyattheInternationalMycologicalCongressinEdinburghinAugust2010.ThefirstAchariusMedalwasmadebytheRoyalSwedishMintfortheRoyalSwedishAcademyofSciencein1846.Attheir1990meeting,theInternationalAssociationforLichenologyresolvedtohonorprofessionalachievementandcommemorateErikAcharius(the“FatherofLichenology”)bypresentingamedalinhisname.TheSwedishMintstillhadthediesforthe1846medal,andTombecamethe34threcipientofthishighlyprestigiousaward.

Thispastyear,theDepartmentbidfarewelltothreeretirees:Claudia Lipke,Nov2009;Loraine Pilgrim,Jan2010;andSuzanne Bader,Aug2010.Thankyouallforyourmanyyearsofwonderfulservice!

Comings and Goings

Claudia grabbed retirement by the

horns.

Loraine has found retirement to be a piece of cake.

Sue “retired” to another job, now has a little extra time for

her horse Scout.

Alumni Newsletter 3

UndergraduatesBrianna Laube•RaperPrizeforthehighestGPA.

Ariel DeBroux•JohnCurtisAward.

Jessica Skarlupa•FolkeSkoogAward.

Alexandria Musial • TheFritsWentAward

Tom Kleist•UniversityBookStoreAcademicExcellenceAward.

Botany Graduate StudentsNewcombTeachingAward•Phil Gonsiska

ON&EKAllenfellowship•Shelley Crausbay & Ben Grady

CroxdaleAward•Jane Bradbury

Eldon&JoyNewcombFellowship•Brent Berger

DavisSummerResearchFellowship•Abigail Mazie & Robert Wernerehl

DavisResearchGrants•Rafael Arevalo, Andrew Gardner, Elizabeth Georgian, Emily Sessa, Brian Sidoti, Brian Walsh

RaperTravelGrants•Brent Berger, Rafael Buono, Shelley Crausbay, Brian Drew, Michelle Haynes, Beth Lawrence, Emily Sessa, Izak Smith, Brian Walsh, Evelyn Williams.

Brent BergerwasinductedintotheUW–MadisonTeachingAcademyasaFutureFacultyPartner.Alison ScottreceivedanAdvancedOpportunityFellowship.Abigail MaziereceivedaresearchawardfromGraduateWomeninScience.Keepupthegreatwork!

Faculty

WeareproudtoannouncethatMarisa OteguiandSara HotchkisswerepromotedtoAssociateProfessor,thatKen CameronwaspromotedtoFullProfessor,andthatDavid BaumwaselectedFellowoftheUW-MadisonTeachingAcademy.Inaddition,ChadbournestudentsrecognizedTim Allen, Simon Gilroy, Tom Givnish, and Don Wallerasexcellentteachers.

Phytomorph project Awarded $4.1 million.

TheNationalScienceFoundationrecentlyfundedEdgar Spalding’steamtofindtheeffectsofgenesonplantdevelopmentusingimagingandcomputation.ThegrantwilladvanceaDept.ofBotanyprojectfocusedondiscoveringthefunctionsofplantgenesbycomputationallyanalyzingdigitalimagesofseedlingsundergoingdevelopment.

SpaldingleadstheinterdisciplinaryPhytomorphprojectincollaborationwithProfessorNicolaFerrier(MechanicalEngineering).Themachinevisiontechnologiesutilizedinthisresearchsupplythehighthroughputandprecisionneededtocharacterizethegrowthanddevelopment,orphenotype,ofseedlingsingenetically-structuredpopulationsofmaizeandArabidopsis.ThecomputationalresourcessuppliedbytheUW’sCenterforHighThroughputComputingrunbyProfessorMironLivny(ComputerSciences)makeitpossibletomapthephenotypedisplayedbyanindividualtoitsgenotype.Inthisway,thegenescontrollingaspectsofseedlingdevelopment,importantinnatureandinthecultivatedcrop,maybelearned,whichisaprerequisiteforrationallymodifyingtheireffects.CongratulationsEdgar!

Dimensions of Biodiversity project awarded $3 million.

Don Waller,Tom Givnish,Ken Cameron,andKen Systmatogetherreceiveda$3M,5-yeargrantfromNSF’snewDimensionsofBiodiversityprogram.BuildingonclassicworkbyJ.T.Curtisandcolleaguesfromthe1950’s,theyareusingmodernresurveystounderstandpatternsofspeciesloss,invasion,andbiotichomogenization,usingthesepatternstoinferthedriversofecologicalchangeinWisconsin’sforests,prairies,andpinebarrens.ThenewawardextendsthisworktobarcodeallplantspeciesinWisconsin,allowingtheresearcherstoexploretheroleofphylogeneticrelationshipsandhowparticularplantcharacteristicsmapontothistree.Theywillthenevaluatehowthesetraitsandphylogeneticrelationshipsareaffectingcontemporaryspeciesandcommunitydynamicsandgeneticvariationinselectedspecies.Wecongratulatethisteamthatcombinesourstrengthsinecologyandsystematics.

Awards and Kudos

4 Department of Botany

Ted Cochrane celebrates 40 years at Herbarium

OnJuly29,2010theHerbariumhostedaluncheontorecognizeSeniorAcademicCuratorTheodore Cochrane’s40yearsofservice.Aconstantpresenceintheherbarium,Tedhasbeenthe“goto”manforcountlessBotanystudentsaswellasgovernmentscientistsandthe

generalpublic.HistirelesseffortshavekeptWIScollectionsgrowingandintip-topcondition.AfterthankingKen CameronandMark Wetterforarrangingtheparty,Tedsaid: “I’mnotquiteasoldastheherbarium,which,havingbeenestablishedin1849,isonlyoneyearshortofbeingasoldastheuniversityitself.Yet,itistruethatIhavebeenhereagoodwhile,forasofJune29,2010,Ihavebeenacuratorinthedepartmentfor40years.Itscarcelyseemspossiblethatasofthisfall,IwillhavebeenadenizenoftheUW–MadisoncampusandBirgeHallfor50years.Myveryfirstuniversityclass,Zoology1alecture,wastaughtbySeymourAbrahamsonat7:45a.m.onSeptembermornings,1960,inRoom145Birge.Later,Iworkedfor12yearsdirectlyupstairs,inRoom245,andsincethenfor28yearsimmediatelynextdoor,inRooms160/166.OnecouldsayIhaven’tmadeitveryfarinthisworld. “TheinnumerablehoursIspendinthisbuildingarealwayssatisfying.Noteveryonehastheluxuryofspendingtheentiretyofhisworkinglifedoingwhathetrulylovestodo,andworkinghereismadeallthenicerwhenyouaresurroundedbysuchgreatpeople,betheyfaculty,graduatestudents,administrators,orotherstaff.Themissionoftheherbariumistoprovideresourcesforbotanicalresearch,education,andpublicservice,andIlookforwardtocontinuingtoadvancethatmissionandcontinuingtoworkwithallofyou.”

Marya McIntosh follows grandparents’ footsteps.

“AsafirstyeargraduatestudentintheNelsonInstitute,professorsandfellowstudentsoftenask'WhyUW?'Myinterestsininterdisciplinaryapproachestoresourcemanagementandrestorationecologydrewmehereacademically,butmyconnectionstothisinstitutionrunmuchdeeper.Mybelovedgrandparents,Robert and Joan McIntosh,bothcompletedgraduateworkintheBotanyDepartment.Asanyplantecologistwillknow,mygrandfather(PhD 1950)wasastudentofJohnCurtisandworkedcloselywithhimonestablishingthecontinuumtheorybasedontheirstudiesofplantcommunitiesinWisconsin.IamexceedinglyproudtowalkinBobandJoan’sfootstepsandgrinbroadlywhenhisworkisacknowledgedinclassorconversation.Bobturned90yearsoldonSeptember24th,sopleasejoinmeinthankinghimforhiscontributionsandwishinghimwell.”

Marya Johnston-McIntosh

Peat moss can eat sugar!

AhandsomephotoofSphagnum compactumonthecoveroftheAmerican Journal of BotanycallsattentiontoanewpaperbyLinda E. Graham, Eunsoo Kim, Patricia Arancibia-Avila, James M. Graham,andLee W. Wilcox,whichdescribestheevolutionaryandecophysiologicalsignificanceofsugarutilizationbypeatmossanditsalgalassociates.Graham’steamfoundthatuptakeofsugarsmayhelpcharophycean algae and peat moss maintain positive carbon balance under carbon or light limitation. They conclude that plant mixotrophy is trait that evolved early in the invasion of land.

Of Interest to All

Alumni Newsletter 5

The first Annual Hugh H. Iltis Lecture in Plant Systematics & Botanical Excursion In2010,theWisconsinStateHerbariuminitiatedanewannualevent,the“HughH.IltisLectureinPlantSystematics.”TheLecturehonorsthetirelessdedicationandcommitmenttolocal,national,andinternationalsystematicsofferedbyourfriendandcolleagueProfessorHugh Iltis,whoservedasDirectoroftheHerbariumatUW-Madisonfrom1955-1993.Dr.IltisearnedhisplaceinhistoryasanequaltosuchbotanicalluminariesasIncrease Allen Lapham, Leyland Cheney, John T. Curtis, John Jefferson Davis,andNorman Fassett.Tocommemoratehisaccomplishments,aformalportraitofHughnowhandsalongsidetheseothergreatmenwithintheStateHerbarium. ThefirstIltisLecturewaspresentedbyDr.Scott A. Mori,whoistheNathanielLordBrittonCuratorofBotanyatTheNewYorkBotanicalGarden.Dr.MoriwasborninJanesville,WI,andawardedhisPh.D.inbotanyfromUW–Madisonin1974.HeisanexpertontheBrazilnut(Lecythidaceae)familyandonthelowlandAmazonianflora.HeandhiscollaboratorspublishedAn Illustrated Guide to the Vascular Plants of Central French GuianaforwhichtheywereawardedtheEnglerMedalinSilverfor2002bytheInternationalAssociationofPlantTaxonomists.Heisaco-editorofThe Flowering Plants of the Neotropics andaco-authorofSeed Dispersal by Bats in the Neotropicspublishedin2009.Dr.MoriisaformerExecutiveDirectorofFloraNeotropica,apastPresidentoftheTorreyBotanicalSocietyandacurrentmemberofitsCouncil,andanadjunctprofessorattheCityU.ofNewYork,theCenterforEnvironmentalResearchandConservationcenteredatColumbiaU.andtheYaleSchoolofForestryandEnvironmentalStudies.Dr.MoriwasrecentlyawardedtheDavidFairchildMedalforPlantExplorationand(likehismentorDr.Iltis)the

AsaGrayawardbytheAmericanSocietyofPlantTaxonomistsforlifetimeachievementforhisstudyoftheclassificationofNewWorldtropicalplants. Infutureyears,theHughIltisLecturerwillattractspeakersofsimilarstandingwho,likeHughandScott,bringtogetherknowledgeandpassiontoelucidatebotanicaldiversity.

InconjunctionwiththeHughH.IltisLecture,theStateHerbariumorganizedalocalfieldexcursion,sothespeakerandtheentiredepartmentcouldshareinthejoyandexcitementofbotanicalexploration.OnSeptember7,2010,agroupof32faculty,staff,andstudentsvisitedthePleasantValleyConservancynearBlackEarth,WI,whereDrs.KathieandTomBrockdescribedtheir14yearsofeffortrestoringprairiesandsavannas.Photosappearonthedepartment’sfacebookpage.Botanyalumniinterestedinjoiningnextyear’sexcursionshouldcontactDr. Ken Cameron.Inordertocovertravelexpensesandspeakers’fees,donationsofanysizetohelpsupporttheIltisLecture&FieldExcursionaremostwelcome(seeGiftGivingontheBotanywebsite).

Scott Mori and Hugh Iltis

6 Department of Botany

Blossoms behind Birge attract birds and bees

Twoyearsafterplanting,asmallprairiebehindBirgeHallputonadramaticshowofflowering.Tom GivnishandtheArboretumprovidedseedsandplants,andJoy Zedler’sclassplantedthenativespeciestoreplacethehillsidelawn.Rapidlygrowingforbssuchasbrown-eyedsusan,yellowconeflower,beebalm,andIndianplantainbeganbloomingenmassethisyear,attractinglargenumbersofpollinatingbeesandcreatinga“buzz”inandaroundBirge!Slowergrowinggrasses,includingbigandlittlebluestems,Indiangrass,andprairiedropseed,shouldflowerinforcenextyear.

ThebulbgardenbehindBirge(contributedbyTomGivnish)producedspectacularblooms,withthoseofLilium canadense beingthemostspectacular(~20large,reddish,bell-shapedflowers).Hummingbirdswereinvitedbutnotspotted—maybenextyear.TomisworkingwithMo Fayyaz andhisgreenhouseteamtoplantmorebulbsinthecircularinfieldoftheBotanyGardenmonocotarea,toaddsubstantialdiversitytothemonocotfamiliesandcreateastrikingvisualdisplayofthousandsofbloomsinspring2011.ThankyouTom,onbehalfofthebirds,thebees,andallwhoenjoytheflowers!

Brown-eyed susies and Monarda perfumed the new prairie above the back parking lot.

The “grassy knoll” will bloom with spring flowers in a few months.

The gorgeous purple-flowering Magnolia, tucked beside the little prairie and the fire escape from Birge’s 145 lecture hall, bloomed all summer and into September!

Wanted: Alumni to celebrate Birge Hall’s100th birthday

The case for: TheBotanyDepartmentisstronglylinkedtothisbuildingthroughourcontinu-ousoccupancysince1912andthefactthattheBotanygreenhousesandtheherbariumsomuchdefineitsfootprint.

The case against:ItisabuildingthatissharedwithZoologyandisconsiderablyyoungerthantheBotanyDepartmentitself,whichdatesbackat

leastto1881.Whatdoyouthink?Ifyouhaveideasonwhetherandhowtocelebratethiswon-derfuloldbuilding,andESPECIALLYifyouwouldliketoHELPorganizeanevent,pleaseemailbotany@ls.wisc.edusometimebeforeJanu-ary1,2011.

Alumni Newsletter 7

News from former UW Botany Professors

Orie Loucks,formerBotanystudent(PhD1960,John T. Curtisadvisor),andprofessorinourdepartmentfrom1962–1978,washonoredinAugustbyhisstudentsandassociatesattheannualmeetingoftheEcologicalSocietyofAmericainPittsburgh.ThoseattendingtheeventtestifiedtoOrie’sfineroleasamentor,hissignificantaccomplishmentsasascientist,andhisleadershipinconservation.SpeakerswereRoger Anderson, Becky Anderson, Charles Canham, Jim Fralish, Ray Gorman, Ed Johnson, Dennis Knight, Eric Menges, Bob Peet, Don Waller, andJianguo Wu.OrieleftWisconsinin1978tobecomeScienceDirectorforTheInstituteofEcologyinIndianapolis,andin1983hebecametheDirectoroftheHolcombResearchInstituteatButlerUniversity.SixyearslaterhewasappointedOhioEminentScholarinAppliedEcosystemsEcologyatMiamiU,whereherecentlyretired.Duringhiscareer,OriereceivedtheMercerAwardfromtheEcologicalSocietyofAmerica,theDistinguishedServiceAwardfromtheAmericanInstituteofBiologicalSciences,theOakLeafAwardfromTheNatureConservancy,andtheNationalConservationAchievementAwardfromtheNationalWildlifeFoundation.AtMiamiU.hebroughtfacultytogetherfromscienceandbusinessdepartmentstoformtheCenterforSustainableSystemsStudies.Oriecontinuestopublishintheecologicalliteratureandserveonimportantcommittees.AttendingtheeventwithOriewerehiswifeElinorandtheirdaughterKimberly.TheLoucksliveinOxford,Ohio.

Gary Breckon,AssistantProfessorofBotanyduringthe1980’s,leftUWbeforecomingupfortenuretotakeajobintheDepartmentofBiologyattheU.ofPuertoRico-Mayaguez.HeretiredfromthereinJune2010andmovedwithhiswifeanddogs(!)backtothecontinentalUSAtobenearhisdaughterandherfamilyinTopeka,KS.

Notes from the Wisconsin State Herbarium:

Type Specimen Digitization

TheHerbariumcompletedasecondyearoftypespecimendatabasinganddigitizationwithsupportfromtheAndrewW.MellonFoundation.Agrantfortwoadditionalyearsoffinancialsupportwasawardedfromthefoundation,withWISservingascoordinatorforagreaterMidwestefforttodatabasetypesheldinherbariafromotherWisconsinherbaria,aswellaspartnerinstitutionsinMinnesota,Nebraska,andIowa.

Herbarium Goes Hollywood.

AdocumentaryonthelifeofScottish-bornAmericannaturalistJohnMuiriscurrentlyinproductionforthePBSseriesAmericanMasters.AfilmcrewbasedinMadisonforseveralweekstookadvantageoftheherbarium’scollectionoflate19thcenturybotanicalspecimensbyusingthemasauthenticpropsinstagingtheyoungMuirstudyingattheUW–Madisonintheearly1960s.

Seeds from the 2001 blooming of Botany's titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) have all found homes. These offspring of "Big Bucky" (ovule donor) and "Mr. Magnificent" (pollen donor) are now blooming for the first time worldwide. UW–Horticulture's arum bloomed September 21 in the D.C. Smith greenhouse. (Right, portrait by Kandis Elliot).

On October 12, UW-River Falls experienced its first titan arum bloom–70.25 inches tall! In shape and height, this plant certainly takes after its "mom".

Titan info: http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/Titan_Arum_Archive/index.html

8 Department of Botany

Tim Allen lAb

ProfessorTim Allen’swell-deservedretirementinDecemberisthebignews.Hecontinuestheweeklysandboxtodiscusssystemsissues.HehashadapplauseeverylectureforPlantsandMansofar:theyknowsomethinggreatispassing. GraduatestudentNissa EnosfinalizesaprojectapplyingGrime’sCSRmodeltospeciesfaithfulnessonWisconsinprairies.GraduatestudentDevin Wixon addressespatternsinthesoilmicrobialresponsetoelevatedtemperatures.Separately,in2010sheco-authoredtwopapersandachapter.InIES,Megan PeasewillhaveherPhDsoonwithadissertationonalternativefuelsforlongdistancetrucking.Marc BrakkenwillfinishbyChristmasonatheoreticaldiscourseonhowweknowaboutecologicalsituations.Peter Allen,MSinhand,worksonrestorationandgreenbuildings.PhDcandidateSteve Thomfordeisresearchingbioticcontrolsmaximizingecosystemfunctionbyregulatingenergy,matter,andnutrientflows.Welcometo Julie Collins workingonnarrativeinecology.Cassandra GarciafinishessoonwithadissertationonpoliciesandactioninmunicipalwellsinMadison.Keith DoyoncontinuestoworkonecologicalgoodfaithresponseoftheUSArmy.Thelabishappyandbuoyant,ifwonderingwhatretirementisgoingtobelike.

CeCile Ané lAb

Ourlabcontinuestoworkattheinterfacebetweenbiologyandstatistics.GraduatestudentYujijn Chung (Statistics)continuestoworkontheproblemofestimatingevolutionaryhistoriesonthebasisofmultiplebutconflictinggenetrees.Sheexploredtheperformanceofstatisticalmethodsforreconcilinggenetrees.Shenowstudiesmethodstodetectrecombinationbreakpointsfromgenome-widealignments.

Satish KothacompletedhisMS(ComputerScience):heexpandedthecapabilitiesofthesoftwareBUCKytoperformBayesianconcordanceanalysis.Thesoftwarewebpagewasre-designedandtheprogramwasdownloadedacrossthe5majorcontinents.NSFfundingwillhelppursuethiswork

further,withtheintegrationofmorebiologicalrealismintothemodelsofgenetreediscordance.GraduatestudentLam Ho(Statistics)isstudyingthepowerofcertainstatisticalmodelsfordetectingselection,fromthecomparisonoftraitsacrossspecies.Hewillstartworkingonmonocotevolution,incollaborationwith Tom Givnish.Asalways, Cecile Anéenjoysbridgingbiologyandquantitativedisciplines.Shehadtheopportunitytodosobeyondcampus,byorganizingtheinauguraliEvoBioconferenceinPortland,OR(June2010),whichdrewover300participantsfromdiversebackgrounds.

DAviD bAum lAb

The2009–2010academicyearbeganwiththedepartureofonegraduatestudent(Ivalú Cacho,toapost-docatUC–Davis)andonepost-doc(Ning Liu,toapostdocatOhioState).GraduatestudentRaul Correa(withthehelpof15undergraduates!)furtherdevelopedanexperimentalapproachcalledtransgenomics.HeidentifiedapieceofthegenomeofLeavenworthia alabamica thatreducesfruitlengthwhenitisintroducedasanextra,singlecopyintotheArabidopsis thaliana genome.HehopestofigureoutthegeneticandevolutionarysignificanceofthisresultbeforegraduatinginDecember2011.GraduatestudentTalline Martinsdeterminedhowacombinationofspatialandtemporalregulationofgenesintheanthocyaninbiosyntheticpathwayexplainsdifferentpetal-spotpatternsobservedinClarkia gracilis.Duringherfinalyear(fundedbyaprestigiousFordFellowship),sheplanstoextendthesefindingstoothercloselyrelatedspeciesofClarkia.Undergraduate Jeremy Berg(mentoredbyTalline)receivedaFritsWentawardtoworkwiththeGilroylabtostudythebiochemicalactivityoffourC. gracilis DFRproteins.GraduatestudentAbigail MaziedevelopedanexcitingprojectontheevolutionofstellatetrichomesinPhysaria(Brassicaceae),andthepossiblerolesofthegenesSTICHELandBLTintheirdevelopment.ShereceivedaGraduateWomeninScienceresearchaward.GraduatestudentPulikesi Rajangam (“Puli”)madeprogressindetermingtheroleofmeristemidentitygenesinthedevelopmentofLeavenworthia alabamica.

Lab News

Alumni Newsletter 9

Ken CAmeron lAb

ThreenewgraduatestudentsbecamemembersoftheCameronLabin2009.Deniz AygorenisbeingsupportedbytheTurkishgovernment.Sheintendstostudythesystematicsofladies’tressesorchids(Spiranthes).Pan Li isavisitingdoctoralstudentfromZhejiangU.inHangzhou,China.Hisresearchfocusesonsystematicsofcatbriers(Smilax).Elsy BuitragowasavisitingMSstudentduringthesummermonths,duringwhichtimeshecompletedamolecularphylogeneticanalysisofPorroglossumorchids.ThesenewstudentsjoinBrian Sidoti andRafael Arevalo,whostudyTillandsia(Bromeliaceae)andMormolyca (Orchidaceae),respectively. DuringtheyearKen Cameronandhisstudentstraveledextensively.HegavekeynoteaddressesattheThirdAndeanOrchidCongressinQuito,Ecuador,andatthe50thannualMid-AmericanOrchidCongressinTN.HewasoneofsixinvitedforeigngueststotheGuangxiInternationalOrchidConservationConferenceinChina,andtogetherwithseveralstudentsattendedtheNorthAmericanNativeOrchidConferenceinGreenBay,andtheBotanymeetinginSnowbird,UT.HeandRafaelArevalo,alongwithherbariumcuratorMark Wetter, participatedintheAllPlantsInitiativeMeetinginMedellin,Colombia,wherethe“DigitalresourcesofTheWisconsinStateHerbarium”wereprofiled. OfthemanypapersCameronpublishedin2009,themostnotableisoneinaseriesofarticlesinAmerican Journal of BotanythatprofiletheinfluenceofCharlesDarwin’sbotanicalpublications.Healsoco-authoredagroundbreakingpaperintheProceedingsoftheNationalAcademyofSciences,“BotanistsRecommendaDNABarcodeforLandPlants”.

DonnA FernAnDez lAb

TheFernandezlabhashadabusyyearwithacompletechangeoverinpersonnel.Dr.Chieh-Ting WangarrivedfromVirginiaTechtotakeoveraprojectoncontroloffloweringtimebyMADS-domainrepressorsinArabidopsis.Thesegrowquiteabitfasterthanthepoplartreesheworkedonpreviously!Heisalsoworkingonaquadruplemutantcombinationthatblurstheotherwisesharpboundarybetweenvegetativeandreproductivegrowth.Jessica Skarlupka completedherseniorthesisentitled“Developmentofatemperature-sensitivealleleforinvestigationof

SECY2functioninchloroplasts”andreceivedtheFolkeSkoogAwardforUndergraduateResearchforthisaccomplishment.HeralleleswillbeveryusefulforongoingworkontheSECY2translocationsystem.TwootherundergraduatescompletedIndependentStudyprojectsinthelabandhavemovedontocareersinhumanhealthfields.Wewishthemwellandthankthemfortheircontributions.

Simon Gilroy lAb

ScientistsintheGilroyLabdelvedintotherootofthematterwithrecentdiscoveriesinhowrootscontroltheirbranchingpatternviamechanically-inducedcalciumsignaling,inadditiontorevealingthedynamicnatureoftheionfluxesregulatingrootandroothairgrowth.TheteamcompletingthesestudiesincludedGabrielle Monshausen, whomovedontoafacultypositionatPennStateUniversity. Weareveryhappythat Won-Gyu Choi andAmy Briggs joinedusaspost-docs.Won-Gyu’sresearchincludesaNASA-fundedprojecttoinvestigatehowcytoplasmiccalicumisinvolvedingravitropicsignalinginplants,andAmywillstudyhormonesignalinginrice.OurgraduatestudentAlexandra Chanoca isbusilycharacterizingtheroleofcalmodulinsinthedevelopmentofrootsystemarchitecture. Wearealsoveryfortunatetohaveagreatgroupofundergraduates.Kohl BoydstonandMike Gardner havebeenworkingwithpost-docPeter Dowdonunderstandingthecontrolsonriceseedgermination;Aarushi Agni isworkingwithAssistantScientistSarah Swansononcalciumandgrowthcontrol;andAmanda Miller ishelpingWon-Gyuworkonascreenforplantswithalteredrootarchitecture.KohlpresentedhisresultsattheUWUndergraduateResearchSymposiumthisyear,andbothMikeandKohl’sworkwasshowcasedatthissummer’smeetingoftheAmericanSocietyofPlantBiologistsinMontreal. AllourprojectsrelyontheBotanyGreenhousesandthePlantImagingCenter.DoingresearchintheBotanyDepartmentistrulyagroupeffort!

Tom GivniSh lAb

GraduatestudentEmily SessacontinuedresearchonDryopteris phylogenyandphysiologicalecology,includingfieldworkattheHuronMountainClub,collaborationwithTom Crow Dogoncommon-gardensinNorthCarolina,andawell-received

Lab News

10 Department of Botany

presentationatBSA.Stephanie LyongavebirthtosonAkivalastyear,presentedsomeofherresultsinthePhilippinesonCorybasevolution,andwilltraveltoBorneoandsouthPacificotherislandsthisfall. Phil GonsiskadefendedhisPh.D.onCatopsis phylogenyandevolution,andisseekingacareerinatropicalbotanicalgarden.Bob Wernerehl isstudyingthecausesofdifferentialdistributionsofprairiegrasses,expectingtodefendhisPhDinDecember.Kate GerndtiscompletingherMaster’sstudyofthestructuralhabitatoftheendangeredpinemarten.Post-doc Mercedes Amesgavebirthtoasonthissummer(addingtothelab’s“r”!)andcontinuedsequencingtheplastidgenomeofseveralmonocotsusingnext-generationtechnology. Tom Givnish, Mercedesand16collaboratorsanalyzedanavalancheofdataproducedbysuchplastomes—including81genesandmorethan130,000alignedbasesperspecies.Theirpaper(inpress)reportsrelationshipsamongmonocots,tracestheevolutionanddeterminantsofwindpollinationinthePoales(grasses,sedges,bromeliads,andrelatives),andwasaninvitedpresentationattheMissouriBotanicalGarden.Givnishalsopublishedamajorsynthesisoftheecologyofplantspeciation.

linDA GrAhAm lAb

TheGrahamlabcontinuestoworkonlandplantoriginsandusingalgaetosolveenergyandenvironmentalsustainabilityproblems. TogetherwithPhDalumniMartha Cook(ILSTU)andDavid Hanson(UNM),wepublishedtwoarticlesinAmerican Journal of BotanyprovidingseverallinesofevidencethatanancientfossilknownasPrototaxites, whichreachedtree-trunkdimensionslongbeforevascularplantsachievedmuchheight,likelyderivedfromextensive,degradation-resistant,rolledliverwortmats.InanotherAJBarticle,withPh.D.alumniEunsoo Kim (DalhousieU),Patricia Arancibia (UBioBio,Chile),andLee Wilcox,weshowedthatearly-diverginglandplantsaremixotrophic,i.e.,getpartoftheirorganiccarbonfromtheenvironment,notexclusivelyviaphotosynthesis,atraitinheritedfromalgalancestors. Inhisfirstyearasagraduatestudent,Christopher Cardona-Correaearnedamaster’sdegreeandcontinuestoexplorephysiologicalaspectsofbryophyteevolutionandecology.Meanwhile,Reese Zulkify andIzak SmithcontinuetoworkwithUW–Milwaukeeandengineeringcolleagues,supportedbyaUW–IntercampusResearchIncentiveGrant,

todevelopalgaeasasourceofbiomassthatcanreadilybeharvestedforP-recoveryandlignin-freecellulosethatisreadilyhydrolyzedtosupportgrowthofmicrobesengineeredtoproducenext-generationbiofuels.

SArA hoTChKiSS lAb

Shelley CrausbayreceivedtheDeeveyAwardforherpresentationattheannualmeetingoftheEcologicalSocietyofAmericaandalsoanewgrantforworkonphysiologicalconstraintsonhigh-elevationplantsonHaleakala,Maui.Shepublishedapapertitled“StrongrelationshipsbetweenvegetationandtwoperpendicularclimategradientshighonatropicalmountaininHawai‘i”intheJournalofBiogeography. Jennifer Schmitz spentthesummerworkingattheLacCoreNationalLacustrineCoreFacilityattheUniversityofMinnesota,investigatingtheresponseoflakeecosystemstodrought,fires,andlogging.Shana Edererjoinedusthisyeartocontinueherworkonbryophytesandtheircyanobacterialassociatesonadunechronosequence.PostdocMichael Tweitenisdevelopingnewmethodsforinvestigatinghowclimate,substrate,andotherspeciesaffecttheabundanceofplantspeciesinHawaiianwetforests.HeisalsoanalyzingpaleoecologicaldataontheresponseofWisconsinplantcommunitiestopastclimatechange.ScientistMarjeta JerajispursuingarchaeobotanicalinvestigationsofcharcoalinHawaiianarchaeologicalcontexts,andSeniorScientistPatricia SanfordishoninginonsomeinterestinghistoriesofzooplanktoninlakesinnorthernWisconsinaswellasthearrivalofanewspeciesinsomesites.

mAriSA oTeGui lAb

Ourlabcontinuestoworkoncellulartraffickinginplantcells.MSstudentMaren Roegraduatedthispastsummer.Herresearchworkwasonaninterestingplant-specificendosomalproteincalledSKIP2.PhDgraduatestudentRafael Buono isworkingonanothergroupofendosomalproteinscallIST1-12andanalyzingthediversificationofthisproteinfamilyinplants.PostdoctoralfellowChristoph Spitzer continueshisworkontheCHMP1proteininendosomaltraffickinginArabidopsis thaliana. PostdoctoralfellowFrancisca ReyesisworkingonproteintraffickingmechanismsinthecornendospermandendosomalsortinginArabidopsis. PostdoctoralfellowChristine Ondzighi-Assoumeand

Alumni Newsletter 11

undergraduatestudentBrittany SheldonareworkingongenesinvolvedinsecondarycellwallformationinaprojectfundedbytheGreatLakesBioenergyResearchCenter(GLBRC).UndergraduatestudentAlexandra Musial wasawardedaFritsWentawardtostudyendosomallipid-bindingproteins.PostdoctoralfellowGuang WuhasmovedtoCaliforniatodoresearchinplantincompatibilitysystemsinSheilaMcCormick’sgroup.Wewishhimallthebest.

Ken SyTSmA lAb

ThecollaborativestudyofAngiospermphylogenyfundedthroughNSF–ATreeofLifegrantiswrappingupintheSytsmalab.Recentlysubmittedisastudyof660species(330families)using17genesfromthethreeplantgenomes—makingthisoneofthelargestphylogeneticstudieseverconducted. On-goingstudiesofClarkia (Onagraceae),Bromeliaceae,andEricalesareunderway.The2009–2010academicyearsawthedepartureofRachel Jabaily, toapost-docatOldDominion,followingthecompletionofherPh.D.onSouthAmericanPuya.GraduatestudentBryan DrewiscompletinghisstudyoftheSouthAmericanandCalifornianmintgenusLepechiniaandrelativesandpresentedattheBSAmeetingsinRhodeIsland.GraduatestudentBen Grady,nowanAllenFellow,receivedadditionalfundingfromtheDepartmentofInteriorforhisstudyofadaptiveradiationontodifferentsoiltypesinWesternU.S.Eriogonum(Polygonaceae).GraduatestudentBrent Berger,honoredatthecampuslevelforhisteaching,presentedphylogeneticandbiogeographicresultsonthepantropicalfamilyCombretaceaeatBSAandcontinueshisstudyofpollinationbiologyofCombretum. ThelabwelcomesnewgraduatestudentDaniel Spalink,whoworkedunderBotanyalumTim Evans.

Don WAller lAb

TheWallerlabremainsbusystudyinghistoricalandcontemporaryplantcommunitiesanddriversofecologicalchange.NewPhDErika MudrakjustmovedtoanewpostdocatIowaStatewhilepost-docKathryn AmantangelomovedontoBrowntostudyaquaticplants. WewelcomenewMSstudentsKatie Frerker(Botany)andMegan Pulver(CBSD),andBotanyPhDstudentsAlison ScottandMichelle Haynes (returningfromayearinYunnan,China).Sarah JohnsonisfinishingherPhDonlong-termchangeinlowland

Wisconsinforests.Evelyn Williams(BotanyPhDstudent)finishedherfieldworkonBotrychiumfernsintheUPofMichigan. Lisa Maas (CBSDMSstudent)startedfieldworkontheinteractionbetweendeerandgarlicmustardusingexclosuresinnearbyStateParks.WithfundsfromtheHuronMountainClubandMichiganNatureConservancy,wealsoconstructedseveral2-ha(!)deerexclosurestoexplorehowdeeraffectbothplantandbirdcommunitiesintheUP. Betweenreadingthesesanderectingfences,Don Wallermanagedtowriteafewpapersand,overthenextfiveyears,willstudytherolesoffunctional,phylogenetic,andgeneticdiversityinstructuringandsustainingplantcommunitiesthroughenvironmentalchange(seenewNSFproject,above).

Joy zeDler lAb

ThreestarscompletedMSdegreesin2009–10:Sally Gallagherforculturingtussocksedgesforuseinrestoration, Erik OlsonforexplainingEurasianmilfoilinvasionsintheChippewaFlowage,andJim Dohertyforshowingthat,overtime,diversity-ecosystemfunctionrelationshipscanshiftfrompositivetonegativeinaCaliforniasaltmarshthatwasrestoredin1997.SallynowworksonWisconsin’sIceAgeTrail,whileErikandJimoptedtopursuePhD’satUW. Beth Lawrencesubmittedherpaperontussockformationandcomposition(firstpaperofherforthcomingdissertation)andgavebirthtoIrisFahey,notnecessarilywiththatpriority. Hadley BoehmstudiedtheoutcomeofseedingnativeplantsintotheArboretum’snewStormwaterManagementResearchFacility(SMRF),aimingforanMSdegreein2011,andCharlie TuckerbecametheBotanyDepartment’sfirstMSstudentinourEcologicalRestorationProgram. WithSteveLoheide(ecohydrologist)andAnitaThompson(biosystemsengineer),Joy Zedler acquiredfundingfromtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencytodevelopinnovativewaystotreaturbanrunoff—apartofPresidentObama’sGreatLakesRestorationInitiative.TheNatureConservancywilluseresultsfromtheSMRFexperimentstocreateanational“modelwatershedplan”forthePensaukee-Duckbasin,whichdrainsintoGreenBay.

12 Department of Botany

Adamczyk,Ben(PhD2009)worksforGeneData,IncinLexington,MA.Ben’sdissertationtitlewas“AnalysisofMIKC*-typeMADS-domainProteins:RegulatorsofthePollenTranscriptomeinArabidopsis thaliana.”

Boyle,Owen(PhD2004)istheSoutheastRegionEcologistattheWisconsinDNR,EndangeredResourcesProgramwhereheCo-coordinatedandco-editedWisconsin’sStrategyforWildlifeSpeciesofGreatestConservationNeed:AStateWildlifeActionPlan.

Christian,Julie(MS2009)securedapositionbasedatHawaiiVolcanoesNationalParkandworkswithCorieYanger(BS2006)fortheInventoryandMonitoringDivisionofthePacificIslandNetwork.Julie’sthesistitlewas“NativeShrubRecoveryandBrowsingEffectsonSantaRosaIsland,CA.”

Coop,Jonathan(PhD2005)iscurrentlyavisitingprofessorofBiology&EnvironmentalStudiesintheNatural&EnvironmentalSciencesDeptandtheCenterforEnvironmentalStudiesatWesternStateCollegelocatedinGunnison,Colorado.Jonathan’sdissertationtitlewas“PhD:EnvironmentalDeterminantsofSubalpineTreelinesintheVallesCaldera,NewMexico.”

Denslow,Julie(PhD1978)recentlyretiredfromtheUSDAForestServicewhereshewasaresearchscientistandteamleaderfortheinvasivespeciesunitattheInstituteofPacificIslandsForestryinHilo,Hawaii.Julie’sdissertationtitlewas“SecondarySuccessioninaColombianRainforest:StrategiesofSpeciesResponseAlongaDisturbanceGradient.”

Ebert,Thomas(B.S.1961)readabouttheherbariuminOn Wisconsin,whichledhimtovisittheherbariumwebsite,wherehefoundrecordsforthemanyplantsthathehadcollectedasaundergraduate!Recollecting:“IspentthesummerinRuskCo.asanassistanttoGeneLikensandJohnPeturkadoinglimnological/fishthings.IhadtakenThompson'sclassonthespringfloraofWisconsin,whichIthoughtwasgreatfun,andsotalkedwithHughIltisabouttakinganotherclassbasedoncollectionandidentification…Ispentmysparetimeduringthesummerof1960collectingandpressingplantsusingadriermadeofanorangecratewithalightbulbinside.Icollectedabitover400plantsandsospentthefallsemesteridentifyingthem.”TomisnowCourtesyProfessor,Dept.Zoology,OregonStateU.andProfessorEmeritus,Dept.Biology,SanDiegoStateU.

Gallagher,Sarah(MS2009)completedherthesison“UseofNitrogenandWaterTreatmentstoManipulateCarex strictaLam.Propagules.”ShethenputhertrainingtoworkforplanningandimplementationoftheIceAgeTrail.

Habeck,James(BS1954;MS1957;PhD1959)retiredasaProfessorofBotanyattheU.ofMontanaatMissoula,1960-1995.HismajorprofessorwasJohnCurtis.JamesarrivedatUWjustafterWalterMuegglerhadgraduated,andbothspenttheirentirecareersintheNorthernRockyMountains,WaltasaresearchscientistattheBozemanForestryScienceslab,andJamesattheU.ofMontana.OverthedecadesthetwometatmeetingsandexchangedinformationaboutplantecologyproblemsintheIntermountainWest.JamesstillhikesandbotanizesinthemountainsofwesternMontana,alsoknownas“TheLastBestPlace!”James’dissertationwastitled“TheEcologyofWhiteCedarSwampsinNorthernWisconsinwithSpecialAttentiontoTheirRoleasWinterDeerRange.”(CorrectionfromAlumniNewsletter2009).

Jabaily,Rachel(PhD2009)isaPost-DocresearcherworkingwithTimMotleyatOldDominionU.Rachel’sdissertationtitlewas“SystematicsandEvolutionof Puya(Bromeliaceae).”

Kelly,Tara(BS1999inBotany&BAC;MS2005inLandResources)istheDirectorofEcologicalRestorationatBelwinConservancy,anon-profitnaturepreservethatownsandmanagesover1300acresoflandintheSt.CroixValley.Tara’sdaughterBrookeEllenwasborninNovember2009.Tara’sseniorthesiswastitled“GeneticvariationandspatialpatterningwithintwospeciesoftheendemicHawaiiangenusCyanea(Lobeliaceae).”

Kim,Eunsoo(PhD2006)isaPost-DocFellowoftheTulaFoundationatDalhousieU.workingintheCentreforComparativeGenomics&EvolutionaryBioinformatics.HeradvisorisProfessorJohnArchibald.Herdissertationwastitled“MolecularPhylogenetics&UntrastructureofPivotalProtistFlagellates.”

Klionsky,Sarah(MS2009)livesinBoston,MA.Herthesistitlewas“Rhamnus catharticaL.(EuropeanBuckthorn)hasAbove-andBelow-GroundImpactsontheGermination,Survival,Growth,andReproductionofNativeHerbs.”

Konchar,Katie(MS2009)completedherethesison“TheInfluenceofBiogeography,Management,andTimingofHarvestonthePhytochemicalEfficacyofaTraditionalChineseMedicine,Fritillana cirrnosa,inSoutheastChina.”

Alumni News

Alumni Newsletter 13

Koopman,Margaret(PhD2008)isanAssistantProfessoratEasternMichiganU.Maggie’sdissertationtitlewas“DiversificationandtheMaintenanceofSpeciesBoundariesintheHibiscusTribe(Malvaceae)onMadagascar.”

Larkin,Daniel(PhD2006)isaConservationScientistattheChicagoBotanicGardenandanAdjunctAssistantProfessoratNorthwesternU.DanielisinthejointCBG-NUGraduatePrograminPlantBiologyandConservationandconductsresearchinrestorationandwetlandecology.Dan’sdissertationtitlewas“EffectsofSpatial&TemporalHeterogeneityonFishUseandTrophicStructureinaRestoredTidalMarsh.”

Lewis,Daniel(PhD2007)isaPost-DocResearchAssociateintheBiologyDepartmentofWakeForestU.Dan’sdissertationtitlewas“MDR-LikeABCTransportersFunctioninAuxinTransportRequiredforPlantDevelopment&ResponsetoEnvironmentalCues.”

Lu,Yan(PhD2005)isaVisitingResearchAssociateintheDept.ofBiochemistry&MolecularBiologyatMichiganStateU.Yan’sdissertationtitlewas“MaltoseMetabolismDuringTransitoryStarchDegradation.”

Millam,Kendra(PhD2006)isanAdjunctAssistantProfessorintheDept.ofBiologicalSciencesatWrightStateU.,whereteamteachesbiogeography.Kendra’sdissertationtitlewas“Trillium erectumSpecies-Complex(Melanthiaceae):InsightsfromMolecularSystematics&Biogeography.”

Mudrak,Erika(PhD2010)hasaPost-DocpositionwithKirkMaloneyintheDept.ofEcology,Evolution,&OrganismalBiologyatIowaStateU.Erika’sdissertationtitlewas“LinkingLocalPopulationStructuretoRegionalTrendsinCommunityStructureofWisconsinUplandForestPlants.”

Oldham-Haltom,Rebecca(MS2003)isanAssociateScientistIIatBioTechinMadison.Becky’sthesistitlewas“FloralDevelopmentinParonia.”

Peet,Robert(BA1970;MS1971)isaProfessorintheDept.ofBiologyattheU.ofNorthCarolina-ChapelHill.Robert’sthesistitlewas“ProblemsintheStudyofDiversityinSouthernWisconsinUplandForests.”

Qi,Zhi(PhD2005)isanAssistantProfessoratInnerMongoliaU.,People’sRepublicofChina.Hisdissertationtitlewas“ElectrophysiologicalInvestigationsofPotassium/SodiumHomeostasis&FunctionsofGlutamateReceptorChannelsintheRootCellsof Arabidopsis.”

Rinna-Olivares,Ricarda(PhD2006)isaPost-DocResearcherRealJardinBotanico,CSICinMadrid,Spain,incollaborationwiththeU.ofMichigan.Rikki’sdissertationtitlewas“MolecularSystematicsoftheNeotropicalDragon'sBloodTreesCrotonSect.Cyclostigma(Euphorbiaceae).”

Rogers,David(PhD2006)isanAssistantProfessoratUW–ParksideintheBiologicalSciencesDept.HeteachesBotany,ConservationBiology,Ecology&OrganismalBiology.David’sdissertationtitlewas“Fifty-fiveYearsofChangeinSouthernWisconsinForests:PatternsofSpeciesLoss&Homogenization.”

Smith,StaceyDewitt(PhD2006)finishedherNIHNRSAPost-DocFellowshipatDukeU.andbecameanAssistantProfessorintheBiologicalSciencesSchoolattheU.ofNebraska-Lincolnthisfall.Stacey’sdissertationtitlewas“FloralDiversification&PollinationBiologyoftheAndeanCladeIochrominae(Solanaceae).”

Sulman,Joshua(BA2003;MS2010)isdoingconsultingworkinWisconsin.Josh’sthesiswastitled“AStudyofthePhylogeny&EcologyofSparganium(Typhaceae).”

Swan,Frederick(MS1961)retiredinAugust1999fromATCAssociates,NewYorkCityasanOperationsManagerandCertifiedIndustrialHygienist.HetaughtEcology,Botany&ManinthisenvironmentfromJuly1994untilretirement.From1988-1994,FredwasanIndustrialHygienistatClaytonEnvironmentalConsultantsinEdison,NJ,andfrom1966-1988,hewasatWestLibertyStateCollegenearWheeling,WV.“Ibenefitedimmeasurablyinmyteaching,researchandindustrialhygieneinvestigationsfrommyexperiencesattheUWinthePlantEcologyLaboratory!”Fred’sthesistitlewas“LianasinS.WisconsinForests.”

VanEe,Benjamin(PhD2006)recentlybecameanAssistantProfessorofPlantSystematicsatBlackHillsStateU.inSpearfish,SD,whereheteachesgeneralandintroductorysciencefornon-majorsandmajorsandisacuratorattheherbarium.Ben’sdissertationwastitled“MolecularPhylogeneticsWithinCroton(Euphorbiaceaes.s.).”

Wiberley,Amy(PhD2008)wasaPost-DocResearcherworkingwithanotherBotanyalum,DrEricSingsaas(PhD1997)atUW-StevensPointonengineeringbacteriatomakebiofuelsfrompapermillwaste.SheisnowbackinMadisonworkingwithPaulBethkeinHorticulture.Amy’sdissertationtitlewas“Molecular&BiochemicalRegulationofIsopreneEmissionfromPlants.”

Alumni News

14 Department of Botany

Ahmed,Noazesh(PhD1960)diedonNovember24,2009.Hisdissertationwastitled“InfluenceofNitrogen,Phosphorus,&TemperatureonCertainPhasesofGrowthofCorn.”

Barnes,William(PhD1972)diedonJanuary2,2010.Hisdissertationwastitled“TheAutecologyoftheLoniceraXBellaComplex.”

Beckman,Katherine(MS1950)diedonFebruary20,2009.Herthesiswastitled“DevelopmentalStudyoftheCaryopsisofThorneWheatwithSpecialReferencetoVascularDifferentiation.”

Bowman,DonaldEugenediedatage80inBaltimore.HewasamajordonortotheBotanyGarden.Aninvestmentcounselorandeconomist,hejoinedT.RowePriceAssociatesInc.inBaltimorein1956andlaterbecameitspresidentandCEO.In1979,heestablishedtheBowmanFinancialManagementCo.HealsoservedasdirectoroftheUniversityofWisconsinFoundation.

Gries,George(PhD1942)diedonNovember11,2009.Hisdissertationwastitled“FactorsinfluencingfatproductionbyAspergillus fischeri,Wehmer.”

Henderson,James(MS1940;PhD1943)diedonDecember3,2009.Hisdissertationwastitled“Theeffectofrespiratoryintermediatesandinhibitorsonthegrowthandrespirationoftomatoroots.”

Hine,Ruth(MA1947;PhD1952)diedonFebruary23,2010.SheretiredfromherpositionastheConsultingNaturalistforBethelHorizonsCamp/Retreat.

Kepper,Heinz(BS1968)diedonDecember20,2009.HeretiredfromtheUW–MadisonwherehispositionwasMicrobiologist/Virology.

Panzer,MaxdiedonJanuary21,2010.MaxwasafriendanddonortotheBotanyDepartment.

Pavcek,Martha(BSE1936;MS1940)diedonJuly25,2009.MartharetiredfromtheMilwaukeePublicSchoolswhereshewasanElementaryTeacher.

Radolf,Jessica(BA1976)diedonMarch3,2009.JessicawasemployedbytheUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyinChicago,Illinois.

Smith,Dale(PhD1947inAgronomy/Botany/PlantPathology)diedonJanuary9,2010afterretiringasProfessorofAgronomy.

Stewart,ElizabethChavannes(MA1937;PhD1940)diedMay1,2010.Elizabeth’sdissertationwastitled“SteepprairiesofsouthernWisconsin&theirinvasionbyforest.”

Stowell,Ewell(MS1947;PhD1955)diedNovember13,2009.DrStowelltaughtBotanyatAlbionCollegeandwasresponsiblefortheestablishmentoftheWhitehouseNatureCenter.DrStowellretiredfromAlbionCollegein1988.DrStowell’sdissertationtitlewas“AstudyofEntomosporium onCrataegus.”

Wilson,Lloyd(MS1950;PhD1957)diedonOctober14,2009.LloydretiredfromMichiganStateU.in1985.Hisdissertationtitlewas“RelativeEffectivenessofVariousWavelengthsofUltravioletinInducingBiochemicalVariantsinPenicillium chrysogenumNRRL1951.”

Wiedenhoeft,Alex(BS1997;MS2001;PhD2008)worksattheCenterforWoodAnatomyResearch,ForestProductsLaboratory,ForestService,USDA,hereatUW–Madison.Alex’sthesistitlewas“Preliminarywoodanatomicalcharacterizationofsomelightweight-woodedspeciesgrowinginaseasonallyinundatedVenezuelanigapoforest.”Hisdissertationtitlewas“TrackingthePhylogenyoftheCrotoneaewithComparativeWoodAnatomy.”

Zhang,Ru(PhD2009)wasapostdoctoralresearcherintheDept.ofBiochemistry&MolecularBiologyatMichiganStateU.andisnowapostdocatStanfordU.Ru’sdissertationtitlewas“TheEffectsofModerateHeatStressonThylakoidReactionsofPhotosynthesisinLight-Adapted,IntactLeaves.”

In Memoriam

Our electronic future

WouldyouliketoreceivetheAlumniNewsletterelectronicallyandincolor?Ifso,pleaseforwardyouremailaddresstobotany@ls.wisc.edu.Notonlywillyoubefirstonyourblocktoreceivethenews,butalso,wewillsavethecostofprintingandmailing…Thankyou!

Alumni Newsletter 15

BOTANY CROSSWORDContributed by David Baum.

16 Department of Botany

• Above, the pond gets a makeover with boulders and new plumbing.

• Left: the new pond fills with water and sunshine.

• Below, September gathering to welcome students, faculty and staff. Ken Sytsma, center, introduces his lab's new grad students.

The Botany Garden continues to evolve into a beautiful gathering place for departmental, campus, and visiting folks.

Alumni Newsletter 17

Botany GarDen

Commemorative tile

$520

Fivelinesoftextwith16charactersperlineareallowed.Pleaseprovideyourinscriptiononatypedorneatlyprintedpage,alongwithyourcontactinformationincasewehavequestions.

Pleasemakeoutcheckto:AnnDingman

UniversityofWisconsinFoundation1848UniversityAvenue,POBox8860

Madison,WI53708-8860

Pleasenoteoncheck:“ForBotanyCommemorativeTile”Yourgiftis100%tax-deductible.

Additionalwaysto“Gift”UW–Madison,DepartmentofBotany

a) Visit the Botany Gift Giving webpage. www.botany.wisc.edu/giftgiving/

b) Credit card gifts by phone.Pleasecall(608)263-4545or(800)443-6162.

c) Payroll deduction for UW–Madison staff.Pleasecall608-263-4545or800-443-6162.A“PayrollDeductionForm”willbesenttoyouforcompletion.CompletetheformandreturntoUWFoundation.TheFoundationwillforwardtheformtoUWPayroll.

d) Pledge.Thiscanbedoneoverthephone,or(ifit’salargesum)UWFwillsendapersonalizedpledgedocument.

e) Checksarealwaysgladlyaccepted.ChecksshouldbemadepayabletoUWFoundationandsenttoUSBankLockbox,P.O.Box78807,Milwaukee,WI,53278-0807.Pleasewrite“DepartmentofBotany”inmemoarea.

18 Department of Botany

Department oF Botany annual FunD Driveplease aCCept my ContriBution in the amount oF $_________________ (enCloseD)whiCh is DesiGnateD For:

UWFoundationAccounts(DepartmentofBotany)

❒Department oF Botany General FunD—servesasthedepartment’s“general”account.

❒Botany Greenhouse/GarDen expansion FunD

❒e. K. anD o. n. allen herBarium FunD—supportsvariedactivitiesoftheUWHerbarium.

❒BleeCKer FunD—memorialfundforPlantImagingFacility.

❒ paul J. allen memorial FunD For visitinG sCientists—memorialfundtofacilitatevisitsbyemergingorestablishedvisitingscientists.

❒mCCullouGh FunD—usedattheChair’sdiscretion,primarilyforfacultyandacademicstaffdevelopment.

❒JuDith CroxDale FunD—memorialfundtosupportwomenbeginningresearchcareers.

❒o. n. allen GraDuate Fellowship—providesafellowshipforanoutstandinggraduatestudent.

❒raper FunD—providesfundstoenablegraduatestudentstotraveltomeetings.

❒Curtis FunD—providesanawardforthebestEcologyundergraduatestudentpaper.

❒FolKe sKooG FunD—memorialfundtosupportDr.Skoog’sresearchandteachinginitiatives.

For donations to the above funds, please make checks payable to UW Foundation and send to:

USBankLockboxP.O.Box78807

MilwaukeeWI53278-0807

TrustFunds—UWBoardofRegents(DepartmentofBotany)

❒ paul J. allen memorial leCture—supportsalecturebyaneminentscientistintheBotanyColloquiumseries.

❒John J. Davis FunD—supportsresearchactivitiesofthedepartment,includinggraduatestudentfellowships,travelsupport,andfundstoprovidespeakersfortheBotanyColloquiumseries.

For donations to these two funds, please make checks payable to the University of Wisconsinand send to:

ChairmanDepartmentofBotany

UniversityofWisconsin-Madison430LincolnDrive

MadisonWI53706-1381

All contributions are tax deductible; many corporations have a matching grants program.http://www.botany.wisc.edu/giftgiving/