Julie Collens

CV

I am broadly interested in how populations are influenced by their evolutionary history and environment.  Specifically, I am interested in the interaction between mating system, spatial partitioning, genetic structure and dispersal.  I find these interactions of particular interest when there is evidence of philopatric settlement, or when frequent long-distance dispersal events seems likely, yet the genetic structure of populations would suggest otherwise. 

In my research, I have focused on kelp.  I feel this is an ideal system to compare genetic structure, dispersal distances and mating strategy, because among marine organisms, kelp are rare in that they have the potential for dispersal at various life stages, an immobile adult stage, and a mixed mating system of selfing and outcrossing to provide diverse possibilities for population structure among closely related species.  In my doctoral research I am examining two co-occurring kelp species to 1) determine patterns of spatial genetic structure, 2) quantify dispersal and settlement of spores on a microscopic level and in the field via tagged spores, and 3) compare breeding systems for differences in rates of outcrossing and selfing.