Dr. Kristin L. Mercer

I became interested in fruit plant evolution as an undergraduate – when I worked with a plant evolutionist scientist studying weed evolution. After undergrad I briefly worked on a farm & started to realize all the interesting aspects of a farm (I did not come from a farm background) – this sparked my interests further & led me to graduate school.

Better understanding diversity of chili peppers in Mexico + understanding the abiotic factors. We’re using the genetic data to understand patterns of diversity in chili peppers – we’ll then use that data to see where in the genome there's been selection over time – we may even find improved tolerance to drought!

I spent a year in Mexico on a Fulbright after completing my PhD. I really enjoyed this experience & being heavily involved in research. I decided to pursue a career in academia because it would allow me to ask the “big picture questions”. I’ve continued to be interested in how evolutionary systems operate in agricultural systems (a more rapid form of evolution) ever since.

My lab has been collaborating on corn & chili pepper research, for the last 10 years, with a great team of scientists & intellectuals in Mexico. Mexico is where chili & corn were domesticated; as well as where I spent a year on a postdoc Fulbright after completing my PhD.

Evolution Conference & Ecological Society of America Conference 

Our next crop of grad students - we have a big batch coming in this summer! It’s nice to have an influx of new people and see activity levels going back up.

I love reading, camping, & hiking with my family. I also enjoy cooking, going for walks & spending time with friends.