Research
My research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary questions concerning plant reproduction. My students and I study the processes that generate and maintain genetic variation in characters important for reproductive success of plants in natural populations. We combine observations from natural populations, manipulative experiments in the greenhouse and in common gardens, quantitative genetics and molecular evolution approaches in our studies. Though I consider myself an empirical biologist, I am very fond of theoretical studies, and have occasionally done some theoretical investigation for factors difficult to study empirically.
Three current focus areas in my group are: (1) Maintenance of gynodioecy in the wild geranium, Geranium maculatum, (2) Sexual selection in hermaphroditic plants, focusing on pollen size as a male trait (Ipomoea purpurea), and (3) Evolution of herbicide resistance in agricultural weeds (Ipomoea purpurea).
- US Department of Agriculture: “The influence of genetic constraint, gene flow and ecological fitness on the evolution of herbicide resistance in the crop weed Ipomoea purpurea” -- PI: Regina Baucom, co PI: S.-M. Chang. ( 2015-2018)
Selected Publications
Education
Ph.D Plant Evolutionary Biology, Duke University 1997
M. S., 1989, Department of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
B. S., 1987, Department of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Other Information
UGA Mentoring Academy Fellow. 2019.
UGA Center for Teaching and Learning Fellow. 2016.
UGA Sandy Beaver Excellence in Teaching. 2011-2012
US National Academies Education Fellow in the Life Sciences. 2010-2011.