BIO

In general, I use the fossil record to reconstruct evolutionary patterns and relationships of seed plants. I focus on Mesozoic conifers and flowering plants; however, other plants are fair game. To learn more about my research, check out the research and publications tab above.

#BlackandStem

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Academic Positions

August 2025 - present | Associate Professor and Curator of Paleobotany, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas

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August 2019 - 2025 | Assistant Professor and Curator of Paleobotany, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas

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July 2017- August 2019 | Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas

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Degrees

2017 | Ph.D., Botany and Plant Pathology, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University 

2012 | B.S., Environmental Plant Biology, Department of Plant Biology, Ohio University