PhD: Department of Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago Postdoc: University of California, Davis The general topic of my research is plant macroevolution, investigated in a phylogenetic context. I combine neontological and paleobotanical approaches to conduct organismic studies investigating the evolution of floral structure; evolutionary studies investigating the time of origin and diversification of flowering plants; and biodiversity studies investigating the mechanisms that generate and maintain high plant species richness in Mesoamerica.