Robin A. Smith, Mellon Lecturing Fellow

Typical Courses Taught:

• Writing 20, Politics of scientific discovery Synopsis
  
• Writing 20, Understanding the evolution debate Synopsis
  

Office Hours:

TuTh 2:45-5pm and by appointment

• PhD, Biology, Duke University, 2005
• MS, Ecology & Evolution, Universite de Montpellier II, France, 1999

Research Interests:
Ecological Genetics, Plant Speciation, Science Education and Outreach
My interests as an evolutionary biologist and researcher center around understanding the origin and maintenance of species boundaries, particularly in plants. I approach these questions through a combination of quantitative genetic techniques and field experiments in natural settings. I also maintain strong interests in science education and outreach (see the Howard Hughes Pre-College Program in the Biological Sciences, which I have been involved with since 2001: (http://www.aas.duke.edu/trinity/hhughes/introduction/outreach/precollege/)), and in the philosophy and sociology of science. For more information about my teaching please see the course synopses listed above.

Curriculum Vitae

Recent Publications   (More Publications)

• Smith, R.A. and M.D. Rausher. "Experimental evidence that selection favors character displacement in the ivyleaf morning glory." American Naturalist 171.1 (2008): 1-9. [523948]
• Smith, R.A. and M.D. Rausher. "Selection for character displacement is constrained by the genetic architecture of floral traits in the ivyleaf morning glory." Evolution 62.11 (2008): 2829-2841.
• Smith, R.A. and M.D. Rausher. "Close clustering of anthers and stigma in Ipomoea hederacea enhances prezygotic isolation from Ipomoea purpurea." New Phytologist 173.3 (2007): 641-647.
• McCauley, D. E., C. M. Richards, S. N. Emery, R. A. Smith and J. W. McGlothlin. "The interaction of genetic and demographic processes in plant metapopulations: a case study of Silene alba." Integrating Ecology and Evolution in a Spatial Context: the 14th Special Symposium of the British Ecological Society Held at Royal Holloway College, University of London, 29-31 August, 2000. Edited by J. Silvertown and J. Antonovics. Blackwell Scientific 2001.