Abstract Detail



A Botanist at the Extreme: Honoring the great contributions of Dr. Vicki A. Funk

Bonifacino, Mauricio [1], Mandel, Jennifer [2], Moore, Erika [3], Wagner, Warren [4], Wen, Jun [5].

A Botanist at the Extreme: Honoring the great contributions of Dr. Vicki A. Funk.

Vicki Funk was an American botanist and one of the leading figures studying the taxonomy and biogeography of Compositae (Asteraceae). She championed collaborative and interdisciplinary work across this large family of flowering plants. Vicki was famously known for bringing together botanists from different countries, disciplines, and career stages to study the systematics, evolution, and biogeography of Compositae. She was a pioneer of techniques and approaches in Compositae evolution and was constantly riding the wave of progress and new methods. Vicki pushed the boundaries of what was possible in Compositae through her generous spirit, deep knowledge of the family, and collegiality. In this symposium, we honor Vicki’s spirit of collaboration and passion for Compositae by hosting six talks by plant researchers from multiple disciplines whose work is centered in Compositae. While these disciplines do not necessarily speak the same technical languages, they are all united in their study of this massive flowering plant lineage. These disciplines include: Biogeography, Collections and Systematics, Conservation, Plant Development, and Genomics. Each talk will highlight Compositae work in one of these dimensions including recent developments in methodologies and approaches that have advanced these fields and the study of Compositae. The symposium will conclude with a talk focused on Vicki’s impact on Compositae research: past, present, and future. While the symposium is all about Compositae, researchers from other plant lineages will find the topics and speakers engaging and relevant. Join us for this symposium honoring our late colleague and wonderful friend Vicki Funk.


1 - Universidad de la República (Uruguay)
2 - University Of Memphis, Biological Sciences, 3700 Walker Ave, 339 Ellington Hall, Memphis, TN, 38152, United States
3 - University Of Memphis, Biological Sciences, 3700 Walker Ave, 322 Ellington Hall, Memphis, TN, 38152, United States
4 - Smithsonian Institution, Department Of Botany, MRC-166, P. O. Box 37012, Washington, DC, 20013, United States
5 - Botany, MRC-166 National Museum Of Natural History, 10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW, Mrc 166, Washington/DC, 20013, United States

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Symposium Presentation
Number: S4SUM
Abstract ID:1252
Candidate for Awards:None


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