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Abstract Detail



Questioning Species and Species Complexes: A Colloquium in Honor of Dr. R. James Hickey

Vincent, Michael [1].

A Colloquium in Honor of Dr. R. James Hickey: the Development of a Scientist.

Botanist R. James Hickey (Miami University, retired) has inspired students and faculty around him and served as an example by his development as a scientist. He has inspired his students to study not only pteridophytes (Isoetes, Lycopodium, Lycopodiella, Adiantopsis, Adiantum, and others) but also organisms in several kingdoms, from flowering plants to insects. His students have conducted systematic projects, ecological studies, studies of plant-insect interactions, and floristic surveys. Their research has taken them around the globe, and utilized data from the level of alpha taxonomy through molecular techniques. From undergraduates to graduate students, many have gone on to complete higher degrees and take positions in which they study divergent topics ranging from population evaluations of rare species, systematics of various genera of plants, and addressing broad evolutionary questions regarding polyploidy and phylogeny. Jim’s own research has included revisionary studies in Lycopodium and Isoetes that have changed the landscape in understandings of the genera. As a teacher, Jim has inspired a generation of students to think open-mindedly about science and its importance to the future of our civilization. He has taught courses ranging from introductory biology (for which he authored the manual), freshman seminars on the evolution debate, to graduate courses on morphology and taxonomy. He has taught field courses in the United States, Belize, and the Bahamas. Jim encouraged undergraduates to conduct research in his lab, and directed the research of dozens of such students. He passionately discusses his philosophy of education, and worked diligently to get students to look beyond the box and know what they believe and why. Jim’s mentors, including Walter Hewitson, Hardy Eshbaugh, and Greg Anderson, instilled in Jim a passion for searching for new ways of looking at things and challenging others to do the same. This colloquium will serve as a representation of the fruits of Jim’s life’s work as a scientist.


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1 - Miami University, Department Of Biology, Herbarium, 79 Upham Hall, 100 Bishop Circle, Rm. 79 Upham Hal, Oxford, OH, 45056, United States

Keywords:
Hickey
pteridology
Isoetes
Lycopodium.

Presentation Type: Colloquium Presentations
Session: CO12, Questioning Species and Species Complexes: A Colloquium in Honor of Dr. R. James Hickey
Location: San Luis 1/Starr Pass
Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2019
Time: 1:30 PM
Number: CO12001
Abstract ID:428
Candidate for Awards:None


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