Krissa Skogen, Ph.D.
Understanding the diversity of life starts with uncovering the evolutionary histories and relationships between interacting organisms and landscapes. As a botanist, I am fascinated by the rich diversity of flowering plants (angiosperms) and the insects that interact with them - both pollinators and antagonists (herbivores, seed predators, etc.) - and how these interactions may help explain the great diversity we see today. Much of my work focuses on differences between hawkmoth- and bee-pollinated plant species and the implications for floral phenotypes (shape, color, size, scent), population connectivity, and species boundaries. I'm also fascinated by the role that antagonists may play, especially those that are attracted to the same floral cues that attract pollinators (including color and scent) given the opposing, negative impacts of floral antagonists on plant fitness. Much of this work uses the Geographic Mosaic Theory of Coevolution as a model to explain the evolutionary relationships between members of the evening primrose family, Onagraceae, their hawkmoth and bee pollinators, and antagonist microlepidoptera in the genus Mompha (more info here).
I am also committed to plant conservation efforts, including investigating the impacts of anthropogenic factors on plants and pollinators. New funding from the Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Bureau of Land Management will explore the impact of oil and gas development on the rare Amsonia tharpii (Apocynaceae) which will inform decisions on its listing on the Endangered Species Act as well as management and conservation decisions to conserve extant populations.
My previous work has investigated the impact of land use change on an endemic, hawkmoth-pollinated evening primrose, Oenothera harringtonii and the role that atmospheric nitrogen deposition may have played in the decline of the nitrogen-fixing legume, Desmodium cuspidatum.
Understanding the diversity of life starts with uncovering the evolutionary histories and relationships between interacting organisms and landscapes. As a botanist, I am fascinated by the rich diversity of flowering plants (angiosperms) and the insects that interact with them - both pollinators and antagonists (herbivores, seed predators, etc.) - and how these interactions may help explain the great diversity we see today. Much of my work focuses on differences between hawkmoth- and bee-pollinated plant species and the implications for floral phenotypes (shape, color, size, scent), population connectivity, and species boundaries. I'm also fascinated by the role that antagonists may play, especially those that are attracted to the same floral cues that attract pollinators (including color and scent) given the opposing, negative impacts of floral antagonists on plant fitness. Much of this work uses the Geographic Mosaic Theory of Coevolution as a model to explain the evolutionary relationships between members of the evening primrose family, Onagraceae, their hawkmoth and bee pollinators, and antagonist microlepidoptera in the genus Mompha (more info here).
I am also committed to plant conservation efforts, including investigating the impacts of anthropogenic factors on plants and pollinators. New funding from the Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Bureau of Land Management will explore the impact of oil and gas development on the rare Amsonia tharpii (Apocynaceae) which will inform decisions on its listing on the Endangered Species Act as well as management and conservation decisions to conserve extant populations.
My previous work has investigated the impact of land use change on an endemic, hawkmoth-pollinated evening primrose, Oenothera harringtonii and the role that atmospheric nitrogen deposition may have played in the decline of the nitrogen-fixing legume, Desmodium cuspidatum.
Lab News
Congrats to Ben Cooper, who's Master's research is now out online in Systematic Biology! Target enrichment and extensive population sampling help untangle the recent, rapid radiation of Oenothera sect. Calylophus.
Two new papers out!
See Anita Cisternas-Fuentes' paper on the evolution of the selfing syndrome in Oenothera primiveris, out in the American Journal of Botany
And! A series of studies on Oenothera harringtonii and it's hawkmoth pollinator, Hyles lineata, Mutualism has its limits: consequences of asymmetric interactions between a well-defended plant and its herbivorous pollinator, published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B special issue ‘Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry to landscapes’
New paper out in Phytochemistry! Extensive population-level sampling reveals clinal variation in (R)-(-)-linalool produced by the flowers of an endemic evening primrose, Oenothera harringtonii.
Excited to see Amanda Patsis' undergrad research published in Systematic Botany!! Elucidating the evolutionary history of Oenothera Sect. Pachylophus (Onagraceae): A phylogenetic approach.
The Skogen lab welcomes Dylan Cohen (postdoc on the Amsonia project), Mikhail Plaza (Ph.D. student), Alissa Doucet (Ms. Student), and Andrew Davies (Ms. Student)!! Looking forward to working with these great scientists!
See Katie Wenzell's new paper in AJB! Incomplete reproductive isolation and low genetic differentiation despite floral divergence across varying geographic scales in Castilleja
Learn more about the Plant Biology and Conservation Program - the joint grad program between Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Be sure to check out the specific info for prospective students!
Still exploring whether grad school is right for you? Explore your options and interests through these resources:
Exploring Grad School (University of Michigan)
Introduction to Graduate Education (Northwestern University)
Two new papers out!
See Anita Cisternas-Fuentes' paper on the evolution of the selfing syndrome in Oenothera primiveris, out in the American Journal of Botany
And! A series of studies on Oenothera harringtonii and it's hawkmoth pollinator, Hyles lineata, Mutualism has its limits: consequences of asymmetric interactions between a well-defended plant and its herbivorous pollinator, published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B special issue ‘Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry to landscapes’
New paper out in Phytochemistry! Extensive population-level sampling reveals clinal variation in (R)-(-)-linalool produced by the flowers of an endemic evening primrose, Oenothera harringtonii.
Excited to see Amanda Patsis' undergrad research published in Systematic Botany!! Elucidating the evolutionary history of Oenothera Sect. Pachylophus (Onagraceae): A phylogenetic approach.
The Skogen lab welcomes Dylan Cohen (postdoc on the Amsonia project), Mikhail Plaza (Ph.D. student), Alissa Doucet (Ms. Student), and Andrew Davies (Ms. Student)!! Looking forward to working with these great scientists!
See Katie Wenzell's new paper in AJB! Incomplete reproductive isolation and low genetic differentiation despite floral divergence across varying geographic scales in Castilleja
Learn more about the Plant Biology and Conservation Program - the joint grad program between Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Be sure to check out the specific info for prospective students!
Still exploring whether grad school is right for you? Explore your options and interests through these resources:
Exploring Grad School (University of Michigan)
Introduction to Graduate Education (Northwestern University)
Engagement & Media Updates!
Learn about Krissa's experiences with Homeward Bound as
one of 100 women in STEMM to travel together to Antarctica!
CBG Blog Post
Better Magazine
Indy Star Newspaper Article
Glencoe Anchor Newspaper Article
Energy News Network
one of 100 women in STEMM to travel together to Antarctica!
CBG Blog Post
Better Magazine
Indy Star Newspaper Article
Glencoe Anchor Newspaper Article
Energy News Network