Dr. Neale's Research Honored

It is with great pride that we share the news with you that a research paper published by our own Jenny Neale was recently selected to receive the "PSB Best Paper Award 2008" from the presitgous Plant Species Biology journal. Dr. Neale's research was on the population genetics of a rare sunflower.

The full citation is 'Conservation of rare species with island-like distributions: A case study of Lasthenia conjugens (Asteraceae) using population genetic structure and the distribution of rare markers.' Plant Species Biology 23: 97-110 (2008) Considering the thousands of papers from professionals across the globe, this is a real distinction. The awards ceremony will be held in Japan.  

We are also excited to announce that Dr. Neale will be leading the charge in the establishment of a new of a new conservation genetics program at Denver Botanic Gardens. With the support of an endowment named for Gladys Cheesman Evans, Dr. Neale, Research Associate Michelle DePrenger-Levin and others will use the analysis of DNA to help protect plant species.  One of their first projects will be to identify whether a rare native orchid is hiding in a population of more common species near Boulder. 

This blog post was written by Anna Sher, Ph.D., adjunct researcher and former director of the Research & Conservation Department at Denver Botanic Gardens.