University of Notre Dame

Dr. Jeanne Romero-Severson is a quantitative geneticist who focuses on the genetic basis of evolutionary change in natural populations, the impact of severe disturbance on population dynamics in forest trees, and the genetic basis for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress in forest trees and insect vectors of human disease. Dr. Romero-Severson's lab website, Forest Conservation and Tree Genetics Program, has more information and photos of ongoing tree research.

Dr. Romero-Severson is overseeing the genetic mapping projects for this proposal. The Gailling lab (Michigan Tech) and the Romero-Severson program are generating a densely populated genetic map for northern red oak (Quercus rubra L), a fine hardwood of major economic and ecological importance in the upland forests of the Eastern United States. The JRS lab will also generate a densely populated map for black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), another fine hardwood of major economic and ecological importance in the bottomland forests of Eastern Northern America. Both species are acutely threatened by the accidental importation of destructive pests and deadly diseases.