Dr. Cris G. Hochwender

University of Evansville

ch81@evansville.edu

Cris is investigating the importance of genotypic and taxon-level variation for plant ability to tolerate herbivore damage. In combination with this research, he is also examining the possible tradeoffs between two main resistance strategies, defense against herbivores versus tolerance to herbivory, in the same willow hybrid system. In addition, his research explores possible interactions between vertebrate and insect herbivores mediated by induced changes in plants. In a set of experiments examining genotype by environment interactions on plant resistance, Cris has used fluctuating asymmetry as a means to measure genomic and environmental stress.

Mary Ellen Czesak

Vassar College

maczesak@vassar.edu

 

Rebecca Rice Smyth

Vassar College

resmyth@vassar.edu

 

 

Benedicte R. Albrectsen

Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

benedicte.albrectsen@plantphys.ume.se

Dr. Bernadette M. Roche

Loyola College of Maryland

broche@loyola.edu

Bernie worked on the consequences of hybridization and spatial structure of Salix on resistance to Melampsora rust. She studied genetic diversity and host specificity within the rust population. She made single uredinial isolates of Melampsora, and performed innoculation tests of hybrid and parental willows in the lab. She has performed field experiments on the genetics of resistance of S. sericea to herbivores and on genotye-by-environment interactions in resistance.

Dr. Colin M. Orians - Tufts University

colin.orians@.tufts.edu

Colin's lab page

Colin has collaborated with Bob since 1990 on the willow projects. He has studied the chemistry S. sericea , discovering a previously unknown phenolic glycoside (2'-cinnamoyl salicortin), and documenting a heritable basis of phenolic glycoside chemistry in S. sericea. He has worked on the inheritance of chemical variation in hybrid willows and on the role of chemistry in determining preference and performance of 5 beetle species to parent and hybrid willows. He is interested in the physiological ecology of willows and especially the physiological ecology of the hybrids in relation to habitat differences between the parental species.