Matt Lavin: Professor, PhD from The University of Texas at Austin, 1986. Office: 308 Plant BioScience Building Lab: 332 AgBioScience Building phone: 406-994-2032  fax: 406-994-7600 Email Dr. Lavin

Research: 

The emphasis of my research is on the molecular systematics and biogeography of the plant legume family (Fabaceae or Leguminosae), including the cultivated species, and the application of neutral ecology and phylogeny to understanding niche conservation and dispersal limitation among the different growth habits of legumes and among the larger scale vegetation types in which legumes are particularly diverse. These include seasonally dry tropical forests and scrub (rich in succulent taxa such as Cactaceae and Euphorbiaceae), tropical savannas and associated forests (rich in grass species), tropical wet forests, and temperate vegetation. I use community and taxon phylogenetic approaches to study how ecology shapes phylogeny. Phylogenetic analyses involve DNA sequence data from the chloroplast and nuclear genomes.

I also have a research interests in the biodiversity of the sagebrush prairie (steppe) vegetation in western North America, the floristics of Montana, and the taxonomy of the grass family (Poaceae). My interest in the sagebrush prairie stems from being born and raised within the confines of this biome and spending my first graduate school years studying it within the region of the Walker River drainage in California and Nevada. My Montana floristic interests come from my Plant Systematics course, and my interest in grasses stems from the Agrostology course that I instruct (Grasses of Montana).

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Research in molecular phylogenetics, including the legume or pea family, instruction of courses in evolutionary biology (Biology 403, Biology 443, undergraduate and graduate seminars) and plant systematics (Biology 436 and Biology 436), graduate and undergraduate advising, and director of the Montana State University Herbarium.

EDUCATION

• B.S. 1978. Biology, University of Nevada at Reno.
• M.S. 1981. Botany, University of Nevada at Reno.
• Ph.D. 1986. Botany, University of Texas at Austin.

MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• American Society of Plant Taxonomists
• Botanical Society of America
• Society of Systematic Biology

RECENT PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• National Science Foundation proposal recommendation panel, Systematic Biology 2001-present
• Flora Neotropical Organization, invited member 2001-present
• Associate Editor, Systematic Botany 1995-present
• Associate Editor, American Journal of Botany 2008-present.

COURSES TAUGHT

• BIOL 403: Evolution (every spring semester)
• BIOL 434/PSPP 454: Agrostology (alternate fall semesters)
• BIOL 436/PSPP 456: Plant Systematics (alternate fall semesters)
• BIOL 443: Current Topics in Biology (every spring semester)
• BIOL & PSPP 489/490: Undergraduate research (occasional semesters)
• BIOL 500/PSPP 500: Graduate Seminar (occasional semesters)

PUBLICATIONS FROM 1998 TO PRESENT

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Research

Molecular systematics of the legume family (Fabaceae)

Biodiversity patterns within the sagebrush prairie, and among tropical rain forests, savannas, and seasonally dry forests (in collaboration with legume colleagues)

Grass Flora of Montana

Teaching

Evolution curriculum (e.g., the courses Evolution and Current Topics in Biology)

Plant identification and systematic courses (e.g., Agrostology and Plant Systematics)

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 02/15/2008