A lot has happened in the lab this past year.  Most notably, Olivia and Jacqueline completed summer research projects, moving us forward in our study of local adaptation and geographic variation in common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca.  They logged lots of hours in the greenhouse, measuring milkweed growth responses to damage by both aphids and caterpillars.  Jacqueline took the lead on this project. We’re still looking at the data, but we expect to have a story to tell soon because Jacqueline will be presenting at NCUR!

We also spent some time in the field, setting up a small common garden to test the methods for a future transplant study of local adaptation in milkweed.  Olivia took the lead on this project, developing a rich curriculum and videos to help students and teachers understand why and how to participate in the project.  She helped lead a workshop for a great group of teachers in August!  Even my ecology students braved the mosquitoes to collect data on the plot in the fall, and some of them chose to write their final papers on the project.

Current students are working on revising some of the methods and curriculum as we prepare to expand the local adaptation project next summer.