Jessica R. Brzyski Ph.D. student
Address: Jessica R. Brzyski Department of Biological Sciences, ML006 University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006	Telephone: (513) 556-9705 FAX: (513) 556-5299 Email: Brzyskjr@email.uc.edu

My research is focused on Spiraea virginiana, an endemic shrub that is federally threatened and locally endangered.  This species is thought to be clonal so I would like to determine the genetic variability of wild populations.  I am currently doing preliminary genetic analysis of two wild populations using ISSR.  I am also interested in generating microsatellites.  In the spring, I plan to start my first field season.  I would like to examine the reproductive biology of this species, which includes seed viability and pollination.  In addition, I am interested in examining the interaction between S. virginiana and S. japonica, an introduced and invasive species, as well as comparing the biology of the two species.  What factors make one species invasive and the other endangered?