Harvard biologist Robin Hopkins has unlocked the secrets of phlox, a wildflower whose vibrant colors hold the key to understanding plant evolution. Her research not only breaks new ground in genetics but also reshapes how we think about species formation. Read more about it here

Hopkins Lab postdoc Patrick McKenzie, may have stumbled upon a long-lost species while using the iNaturalist app late one night. Intrigued by a mysterious plant specimen found in the forests of Durango, Mexico, McKenzie believes it could be Monarda mexicana, a species not documented since 1952. His findings could add a crucial piece to the puzzle of the ongoing “species problem,” potentially redefining how we understand biodiversity in a rapidly changing world. Read more about it here.

Andrea is starting this fall as a tenure-track assistant professor of plant biology at James Madison University. There she will continue her work on studying the evolution of red floral color and the genetic architecture of reproductive isolation in Silene.

Discover the fascinating work of the scientists at Harvard University’s Hopkins Lab, as they investigate the formation of new species and delve into the secrets of Phlox flowers. Through a meticulous examination of the Phlox life cycle, they uncover the evolutionary mechanisms that maintain species separation and contribute to the incredible diversity of life on Earth. Check out the video above!

Prof. Robin Hopkins alongside graduate students Bushra M. Shahid and Grace A. Burgin discuss selfie in Phlox cuspidata through experimental and genetic analysis. Read more about it here.

Embarking on the intricate journey of pollination biology, this research unveils the hidden connections between the wildflower Phlox drummondii and its primary pollinator. Beyond the predictive power of floral syndrome traits, this empirical study offers a nuanced exploration, confirming the anticipated role of Lepidoptera in this floral dance.

By: Robin Hopkins, Grace A. Burgin, Olivia Bronzo-Munich, Austin G. Garner, Izzy A. Acevedo. You can read the research here

Congrats to alumni Hopkins Lab members Ben, Matthew, Andrea, Charlie, Megan and Robin on their new publication titled “A multi-dimensional selective landscape drives adaptive divergence between and within closely related Phlox species.” Read it here.

Congrats to Austin, Andrew, Andrea and Robin on their new publication titled “A cis-regulatory point mutation at a R2R3-Myb transcription factor contributes to speciation by reinforcement in Phlox drummondii” Read it here