Staff & Research Associates

Stephen Downie
Curator
Professor Plant Biology

Dr. Downie’s primary research activities include the systematics, biogeography and molecular evolution of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), with an emphasis on its largest subfamily Apioideae.  Molecular evidence is being used to obtain a comprehensive estimate of phylogenetic relationships at a variety of taxonomic levels within the subfamily, which in turn are being used to revise classifications, elucidate historical biogeographical patterns, and inform character evolution. Students interested in participating in this research are urged to contact him directly.

Jamie Minnaert-Grote
Collections Manager

Jamie started as the Collections Manager at the Illinois Natural History Survey  (ILLS) at Illinois in 2014. In July 2018, she also became the Collections Manager of the Illinois Plant Biology Collection (ILL). Jamie has a masters in biology from Northern Iowa were she studied plant systematics.

Dave Seigler
Curator Emeritus

Dr. Seigler’s primary research interest is the systematics of Acacia sensu lato (Vachellia, SenegaliaAcaciellaMariosousa) and other Mimosaceae.

Deborah Katz-Downie
Department of Plant Biology

Ongoing research projects include molecular systematic studies of the New World Spermolepis-Ammoselinum-Apiastrum complex and, in collaboration with Dr. Downie, the Perennial Endemic North American clade of Apiaceae (e.g., Aletes, Cymopterus, Musineon, Oreoxis, Pseudocymopterus, and Pteryxia).

Andrew Miller
Associate Curator

Dr. Miller’s primary research interests focus on the systematics and biodiversity of a broad range of fungi, but is  particularly interested in the evolution of wood-inhabiting ascomycetes. Currently, he is involved in research projects on the systematics of several groups in the Sordariomycetes, the biodiversity of aquatic ascomycetes along an altitudinal gradient in Peru, and a large-scale inventory of the microbial communities of caves and mines in Illinois.

Lee Crane
Associate Curator
 John Ebinger
Associate Curator