During my doctoral studies, I worked with Robert Wetzel in the area of wetland plant ecology, publishing several studies on the rush Juncus effusus.  Following receipt of my Ph.D., I held a postdoctoral research position in the Department of Entomology at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where I investigated plant defense responses to insect herbivores - under the guidance of Gary Felton.  I began my present faculty position at Mississippi State University in 2001.
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With the assistance of some excellent graduate students over the last several years, my lab has returned to its wet roots in aquatic and wetland plant ecology...including a bit of work with J. effusus. However, I still maintain some collaborations in terrestrial plant ecology, particularly the ecology of invasive plants in southeastern forests.