Profile

• Time Zone

  Pacific

  
  
• Organization

  University of California - Riverside

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  My project is to figure out what is a species in Arctostaphylos under the taxonomic shadow of diverse morphology, high genetic identity, polyploidy, edaphic endemism, and frequent hybridization. I am interested in three questions: (1) What is the pattern of genetic variation for the 106 taxa in Arctostaphylos? (2) Does morphological variation correspond to genetic pattern? (3) Are geographic and/or environmental factors correlated with genetic pattern? To answer these questions, I will measure genetic variation, morphological diversity and environmental heterogeneity of manzanita taxa.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

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

  Manzanitas definitely. They are the plants that I have been working with. They all have beautiful twisting red branches and morphological diverse leaves.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is tough about being a scientist?

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

  In my opinion, the tough part is the critical thinking and try to find novel things.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

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

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

  I think science is a mysterious and difficult subject. The scientific training will make people wise.

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

  1