Katherine R. Goodrich, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Plant Biology

Department of Biology, Kirkbride Hall 423 C
Widener University
1 University Place
Chester, PA 19013 USA

Phone: (610) 499-1086 Fax: (610) 499-4496
email: kgoodrich@mail.widener.edu

Plant Reproduction and Pollination Strategies:

In order to better comprehend the tremendous diversity of present-day flowering plants, I seek to understand mechanisms behind their diversification. Specifically, I seek examples of closely related plant taxa which may still be undergoing processes of speciation. I then examine specific mechanisms such as pollination strategy, which may contribute to reproductive isolation between these closely-related plant taxa.

Pawpaws (Asimina & Deeringothamnus: Annonaceae)
The genera Asimina and Deeringothamnus are the only temperate genera of the family Annonaceae. They are native to eastern North America and consist of 10 species (8 Asimina; 2 Deeringothamnus) and a number of naturallly-occurring hybrids. Of the 8 Asimina species, four have flowers which are large, white, and have pleasant but variable scents (represented by Fig. 1 & 2). The other four species have flowers which are smaller, maroon, and have scents which are distinctively yeasty (represented by Fig. 3 & 4). Both species of Deeringothamnus have floral architecture and scents which are markedly different from species of Asimina (Fig. 5 & 6).

My previous work as a graduate student with Robert Raguso, Ph.D., focused on the complex floral phenotypes of this genus, examining detailed patterns of floral scent, color and morphology (Goodrich et al., 2006; Goodrich & Raguso, 2009 ). Currently, I am working with Catherine Bush, Ph.D. (Valdosta State University) to map floral characters for species of Asimina and Deeringothamnus onto a molecular phylogenetic tree developed using ISSR fingerprinting analysis. Future projects will include field-based studies of gene flow and pollination strategy for several species of Asimina. I also am interested in exploring floral phenotypes (scent, morphology, color) for hybrids of Asimina, in order to better understand floral trait inheritance in this genus, and to examine the ecological outcomes of such hybridization. New projects on local flora are also being developed.

Students interested in potential research projects in the Goodrich lab
If you are a biology major at Widener and you are interested in learning more about potential research projects in my lab, please contact me via e-mail (kgoodrich@mail.widener.edu) or stop by my office during office hours. My office hours may change each semester, but my schedule will always be posted outside my office door (Kirkbride Hall 423 C).