Schwinning Lab

Plant Ecology

Yang Tse

How you can join the lab

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Much of our lab work is conducted by undergraduate students.

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Graduate students support each other in conducting field experiments.

The lab welcomes undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate students work as research technicians and learn to perform field research, lab analysis and data management. Undergraduate students are fully integrated lab members and gain an insider's perspective on ecological research. Along with the graduate students, they are mentored in matters of research, career planning and development. Exceptional undergraduate students are encouraged to conduct independent research projects towards an undergraduate thesis. Being a undergraduate research assistant is a valuable experience for any student planning to enter a technical profession or choosing to continue their education.

Graduates wishing to pursue research in Plant Ecology are encouraged to discuss their research interests and career goals with the lab director before applying. Simply contact her by email (schwinn@txstate.edu). Preference will be given to students with a strong academic record, course work in plant ecology or physiology and with interests that fit the research focus of the lab. Master's and Ph.D. students are supported through teaching scholarships in the Department of Biology. Research scholarships, if available, are announced on this website.

 

 

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Lab News

Recent student presentations

Evan Simon presented his research at the 2022 TXSER in Austin entitled "The Relationship Between Elevation and Response of Trees of the Edwards Plateau to Drought." He won the first prize for an Oral Presentation by an Undergraduate Student.

Highlighted publications

A long-awaited Special Feature in the Journal of Ecology has finally been completed. These are our lab's contributions:

Schwinning, S., DeFalco, L.A., Esque, T.C. 2021.What common-garden experiments can tell us about climate responses in plants. Journal of Ecology 110: 986-996 pdf

Custer, N.A., Schwinning, S., Lortie, C.J., Esque, T.C., DeFalco, L.A. 2021. Local climate adaptations in two ubiquitous Mojave Desert shrub species, Ambrosia dumosa and Larrea tridentata. Journal of Ecology 110: 1072-1089. pdf

Other lab news

The following students have received research awards in 2022:

Evan Simons, who conducted research towards an undergraduate honors thesis, was awarded an undergraduate research followship by the College of Science and Engineering. He also won the first prize for the 'Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation' at the TXSER conference (Society for Ecological Restoration, Texas Chapter).

Owen Moorhead won the Ann Miller Gonzalez Graduate Research Grant from the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) to conduct an experiment in prairie restoration in collaboration with the Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT).

Silas Jenkins won the Ann Miller Gonzalez Graduate Research Grant from the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) to investigate the importance of mycorrhizal fungi for the survival of oak seedlings under drought.

Contact information
Susan Schwinning
601 University Drive
312 Supple Science Bldg
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Email: schwinn@txstate.edu

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Biology Department
Texas State University

Friend websites:

LanCES
TISI

Comments on the contents of this site should be directed to Susan Schwinning