People – Krosnick Lab

Shawn Krosnick (she/her), PI

I am a systematic botanist who specializes in Passiflora, commonly known as passion flowers or passion fruit. My work is primarily focused on ways to better understand character evolution and homology assessment in taxonomic groups with complex morphology. I use traditional (anatomy and development), molecular (sequence comparison and gene expression), and ecological data (reproductive function) to answer questions about the evolution of pollination syndromes and plant mutualisms.

Current Students

Chris Waters, Ph.D. student

I am interested in using integrative approaches to answer ecological questions about plants and their associated animal communities. As an undergraduate student in Dr. Krosnick’s lab, I helped with research focused on the reproductive anatomy of Passiflora incarnata. I then moved to Kennesaw State University where I researched shifts in forest canopy composition in the montane longleaf pine ecosystems of northwest Georgia using dendrochronology and archival map data. I am currently investigating the pollination ecology of a federally endangered mustard species called Physaria globosa as part of ongoing conservation efforts. We are classifying effective pollinator species and cataloging floral visitors across the range of P. globosa. Additionally, we are establishing a long-term monitoring protocol for these pollinator communities using environmental DNA left behind on flowers by potential pollinators.

Eli Harris, Master’s student

My thesis research focuses on examining the floristics of Window Cliffs State Natural Area in Putnam County, Tennessee. This project involves conducting a comprehensive floristic survey throughout all four seasons to assess plant diversity and distribution across different habitats within the natural area. My research aims to identify rare, threatened, endemic, and invasive plants and to analyze their distribution based on abiotic factors. My research will utilize ArcGIS to map vegetation types, slopes, aspects, and elevations. I aim for my research to contribute to a better understanding of the floristic diversity of Window Cliffs and to provide the Tennessee State Parks with information for the conservation and management of these unique calcareous habitats within Tennessee.

I am very interested in floristics, endangered plant species, and conservation of our native flora; in addition to surveying, I photograph habitats and species at Window Cliffs. Follow along on iNaturalist, @harriseli195.

Windsor Kiefer, Master’s student

Stephanie Oliphant, Master’s student

Eve Bolich-Sledge, Undergraduate

Emma Ralston, Undergraduate

Recent graduates

Cassandra Fink, Master’s student, Graduated Fall 2024

Cassandra’s research focused on a species complex containing Lilium formosanum (Formosa Lily), Lilium philippinense (Benguet lily), and Lilium longiflorum (Easter lily). Taxa in this complex appear to be rapidly naturalizing across the Southeast and exhibit characters that could make them potentially invasive. However, it is unclear which species are present in the United States and whether they are hybridizing with one another as they spread. My study focuses on reproductive and floral phenology, pollination mechanisms, seed dispersal, and genetic relationships among this group in the United States.

Brittany McGuire, Master’s student, Graduated Fall 2022

My thesis research looks at how biology students understand experimental design both at the high school level and in introductory university courses. The primary objective of my work is to determine how to better prepare students for futures in scientific fields. My research interests are in science education, communication, and informal education.

Emily Powell, Master’s student, Graduated Fall 2022

I am currently researching Physaria globosa, a Federally endangered species of Brassicaceae that is scattered throughout 31 populations in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. My research focuses on this species reproductive dynamics to aid in its long-term survival.

My specific goals are to determine the life history of P. globosa and assess pollen limitation. I am doing this through common garden studies with seed from each study site to monitor stage and age classes. This data will assist future monitoring and create a better understanding of population demography. Pollen limitation is being assessed through supplemental pollen treatments, which compares open/natural pollinated flowers to hand-pollinated flowers. Determining whether P. globosa is pollen limited will help the success of reintroduction throughout its range.

Brittnay Carlile, undergraduate student

I am an undergraduate biology major with a concentration in botany. I am currently working on a project that looks at host-plant feeding interactions in spittlebugs (Clastoptera spp.) and aphids (Aphis spp.) (Hemiptera). Both genera have specialized feeding stylets that allow for tapping into the xylem, phloem, or both. They secrete saliva that hardens to form an impervious and air-tight sheath for feeding. I am currently studying their feeding behavior using anatomical (serial sectioning) techniques.