Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  University of Nebraska at Kearney

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  Phylogenetics and evolution of the Lamiaceae, especially the genera Agastache, Lepechinia, Monardella, and Salvia.
  
  Temporal and spatial origin of the California Floristic Province flora.
  
  Plant speciation processes in Western North America.
  
  Pollination biology.
  
  Conservation genetics.
  
  Salmon habitat restoration.
  
  River and stream rehabilitation.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  Can you describe your attitude toward science when you were in high school?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  boring!

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  Port Orford Cedar-It is an uncommon tree of Northern California/Southern Oregon. It grows in really cool places, and has beautiful fern-like splays of leaves.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is the coolest thing you have discovered or learned about plants?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  they have about the same number of genes, or more, as people!

  
  
• Availability

  I am NOT available, please temporarily remove me from the available mentor list

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

msasdkesslerfall2017 project 3 Bryan T Drew Dec 11, 2017

yeah, plants can vary quite a bit in terms of how much light they need.

I general rule is: If the leaves are broad and thin they do not need much light (plant in shady places). If leaves are small and or thick they probably require (or can…

more

yeah, plants can vary quite a bit in terms of how much light they need.

I general rule is: If the leaves are broad and thin they do not need much light (plant in shady places). If leaves are small and or thick they probably require (or can tolerate) a lot of sun. Also, hairy or succulent (juicy) leaves usually grow in open, sunny, environments.

For most plants that are grown for food though it is pretty simple: the more light the better! As long as they get enough water.....

msasdkesslerfall2017 project 3 Bryan T Drew Dec 3, 2017

Hi Lialla,

Sorry for not responding to your question earlier!

Just to expand on what Ruby said, the type of minerals in the soil can also make a big difference in how much water and nutrients the soil can hold. Some types of clay (like…

more

Hi Lialla,

Sorry for not responding to your question earlier!

Just to expand on what Ruby said, the type of minerals in the soil can also make a big difference in how much water and nutrients the soil can hold. Some types of clay (like vermiculite) for example have more surface area than others, can "hold on" to more nutrients, and can actually expand when they get wet.

This video is a nice demonstration of what happens if you have clay in a soil instead of sand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACpuYED9WkU

If you ever get the chance, compare how bentonite and kaolinite clays absorb water. It is amazing!

Bryan

msasdkesslerfall2017 project 3 Bryan T Drew Nov 8, 2017

I mainly only study mints, but there are over 7000 of them! I do not really study soil, but I did teach an "introduction to soils" class a few years ago. Oh, and my favorite food is tacos!