Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  University of Arkansas

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I am broadly interested in how evolutionary processes shape plant diversification. I have previously investigated the effect of both pollinators and climate on plant traits, and my current research has an emphasis on what drives the evolution of rare plants.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

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

  My favorite plant is called Silene serpentinicola, also know from the common name Serpentine Catchfly. My research focuses on the Silene genus, and this particular species is unique in that it only grows on steep slopes with serpentine soils (soils that are high in heavy metals such as nickel and iron). This plant has adapted to accumulate the heavy metals from the soil into its leaves, which allows it to occupy these slopes where other plant cannot grow.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  Can you share a funny/interesting lab or field story?

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

  I spent a year working as a botanist in Capitol Reef National Park in the red rock desert of Utah, and some of my favorite experiences have been backpacking in remote areas of the park, as well as hiking into slot canyons and using ropes to reach rare plants for monitoring.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What lessons have you learned in your career about how science works?

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

  I have learned that science can be very unpredictable, and while it requires perseverance and out-of-the-box thinking, the unpredictability of it can lead to incredibly interesting and unique observations/discoveries.

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

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

PlantsGenes Project 13 Jenna Miladin Apr 26 at 09:41am

Great work everyone! Yea, it could be that these plants are happy at low fertilizer levels, rather than high. Any other questions as you guys are wrapping up?

The Fantastic Four (project 3) Jenna Miladin Apr 26 at 09:37am

Hi all,

Great work! Sometimes things we don't predict end up happening. Some plants are happy with lower nutrients, and sometimes too many nutrient can create deficits of their own. Any other questions as you're wrapping up?

Best,

J…

more

Hi all,

Great work! Sometimes things we don't predict end up happening. Some plants are happy with lower nutrients, and sometimes too many nutrient can create deficits of their own. Any other questions as you're wrapping up?

Best,

Jenna

The Fantastic Four (project 3) Jenna Miladin Apr 11 at 10:19am

Hm, are they yellow or spotted/otherwise discolored (other than just dried brown)? Attach a picture if you can please!