Research in the lab broadly centers on understanding the processes that lead to the convergent evolution of traits, and how this relates to disparities in species richness across habitats. We use bioinformatic and phylogenetic methods to understand plant evolution at both broad (e.g., monocots) and shallow phylogenetic scales (e.g., Ledebouria). We regularly leverage publicly available datasets to test and generate hypotheses on plant evolution and diversification. Research in the lab combines phylogenetics, ecology and morphology to understand plant evolution. Personally, I am especially fascinated by the many ways that plants have evolved belowground bud placement, a geographically, morphologically, and phylogenetically diverse habit.