Clark Danderson

Office: 239 Morrill Hall
Phone: 333-1275
Office Hours: Fridays, 9-11 a.m. in 239 Morrill Hall
E-mail: cadander@illinois.edu

As a native of the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, I grew up with a great appreciation for the natural world, and it was this appreciation that led to my interest in botany.  I attended the University of New Hampshire from August 1998 to May 2002, earning a B.S. in plant biology, before moving to Champaign during the summer of 2002 to pursue graduate studies here in plant biology.  I earned my M.S. under Kenneth Robertson in May 2005.  My thesis examined the plant-insect interactions between a native prairie plant, rattlesnake-master, and a microlepidopteran herbivore.  After finishing my M.S., I decided to pursue a Ph.D. under Stephen Downie.  The focus of my current research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships of the Arracacia clade within tribe Selineae.  This group of plants is unique in that they are found in high montane temperate to sub-alpine habitats of Central and South America, and the group contains the only cultivated umbellifer originating from South America.  Some of these carrot-relatives even demonstrate a tree-like habit.  When I am able to pull myself away from the lab, I pursue my interests in gardening, botany, photography, hiking, beer brewing and Texas Hold 'Em poker.  Feel free to drop by during my lab during office hours if you have questions or would just like to chat.