Professor, Ecology, Evolution and
Marine Biology
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| Susan
J. Mazer Professor, Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology |
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Evolutionary biologist Susan Mazer seeks evidence for evolution by natural selection in wild flowering plants. She notes that widespread acceptance of the importance of natural selection remains a contentious public issue even though virtually all biologists agree that this evolutionary process occurs in all wild species. “Plants are nearly ideal to study in the wild because they don’t walk, run or swim away from you,” said Mazer. “They’re just about the most convenient organisms to study both in nature and under experimental conditions; more importantly, they’ve adapted to a remarkably wide range of ecological conditions, showing the power of natural selection to mold species to their environment.” Mazer brings undergraduates into her research program and actively recruits them for it. For her, the most rewarding aspect of teaching is to bring enthusiastic, curious and energetic students into the lab for long-term research.” |