PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: SM CHAMBERS

Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University

Curator of the Ronald L Jones (EKY) and Berea herbaria

Research Coordinator, EKU Natural Areas

Ph.D. Purdue University, 2014; B.S. University of Kentucky, 2009

Research interests: species distributions, population ecology and genetics, biogeography, community assembly, ferns, rare plants.

Hobbies: running, hiking, dogs, cooking, botanizing (of course!), cooking and constantly learning about our planet.

CV (current as of October 2023)

Email: [email protected]

CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS

Zach Maggard

Master’s Student, Eastern Kentucky University; B.S. Eastern Kentucky University, 2023

Research project: My research is about the population genetics of an endangered cactus species (Harrisia aboriginum). I am working to develop primers that will amplify microsatellites within individuals across populations. I will compare the microsatellites from these individuals to understand genetic diversity within and among populations. I am also an avid plant taxonomist and love learning about new plants and from which lineage they evolved from.

Email: z[email protected]

Judson Collins

Master’s Student, Eastern Kentucky University – Starting Fall 2024 (woohoo!)

B.S. Centre College, 2022

Research project TBD

CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Ricelle Gibson

Research project: Microclimate impacts on Vandenboschia boschiana gametophyte and sporophyte distributions and demographics in Kentucky.

Sasha Carrasco

Research project: Investigation the bioactive properties of the genus Lygodium through phytochemical composition analysis.

ADDITIONAL ASSOCIATES

Additional botanically minded students guided by Dr. Chambers are employed in the herbarium. You may find a list of these curatorial assistants and other professional associates here.