Juliana Medeiros, PhD – Plant Biologist
My research focuses on plant anatomical and physiological acclimation and adaptations to the abiotic environment. I am interested in how phenotypic and genetic variation in plant form and function interact with variation in climate over space and time to drive ecological patterns and the evolution of plant diversity. I focus primarily on plant hydraulic traits, including xylem water transport, leaf gas exchange and the integration of leaf and xylem function.
Sharon Halkovics, BS – Research Specialist
I work as a research technician providing lab management and support in Dr. Juliana Medeiros’ plant physiology lab, which specializes in investigating the evolution of functional traits in the genus Rhododendron. After completing my undergraduate coursework in Environmental Health Science, my career and research became focused on agriculture, plants and food. In 2021, I joined the team part-time, and also work as a freelance recipe developer and food stylist.
Miranda Shetzer – PhD Candidate
I am a second-year PhD candidate interested in how the abiotic environment influences the physiology and distribution of Rhododendron minus, a species native to the Southeast United States. I am currently working on a species distribution model to elucidate how factors like climate, topography, soil pH, and vegetation impact where this species grows. In addition to modeling approaches, I am conducting manipulative greenhouse experiments to see whether there is trait divergence across different R. minus populations. R. minus can be found along a broad light gradient, with plants in the understory receiving far less light than plants in light gaps. Hence, one of the greenhouse experiments examines how light intensity influences growth and pigments of R. minus to infer differences in light responses across the range.
Yasper Mambrasar, MS – Research Intern
Yasper Mambrasar is a plant systematist with extensive field experience working in Indonesia. He recently completed his M.S. at University of Wisconsin-Madison and will be conducting a one-year research internship focusing on Juniperus virginiana (commonly known as Eastern Red Cedar) funded by the National Science Foundation. Yasper will also work with Dr. Juliana Medeiros to develop projects and collaborations on Rhododendron to know how the species adapts to climate.
