Research Summary

Genetic variation underlies diverse morphological and life history traits, as well as responses to diverse biotic and abiotic challenges. In the Clark laboratory, we study the molecular-genetic bases of variation in plants and the animals (herbivores) that consume them. Our study organisms are diverse, but include spider mites that are major pests on maize and other agriculturally important crop plants under conditions of high heat and water (drought) stress.

Biography

Dr. Richard M. Clark is a member of the faculty in the Department of Biology and a member of the Center for Cell and Genome Science at the University of Utah. Dr. Clark obtained his P.h.D. from Stanford University, and performed postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin and the Max Planck Institute (Germany). Dr. Clark's research focuses on understanding the genotype-to-phenotype map using diverse systems including plants and their herbivores.