Dorothy Christopher, PhD
Principal Investigator
I am an evolutionary ecologist broadly interested in plant reproductive processes. I study how plant mating systems evolve in response to ecological and genetic factors. My research uses field work, greenhouse experiments, and genetic analyses to examine how pollinator behavior and heritable floral traits interact to shape patterns of male and female fitness.
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Karena Kulakowski
MS Student
Karena's research focuses on the fascinating system of explosive pollination in mountain laurel. She is exploring the ecology of the pollinator community and pollen limitation in this charismatic species.
Lab Alumni
Drew Smith
MS Integrative Biodiversity, 2025
Drew's research examined pollinator phenology and how pollinator communities change over the course of the growing season. He is currently working with CT DEEP.
Emily Zibelin
Undergraduate researcher
Emily examined the affects of climate change on flowering times of spring ephemeral wildflowers over the past 100 years.
Lindsay Kirkness
Undergraduate researcher
Lindsay compared historic and contemporary climate variables to understand how climate change has impacted Connecticut.