Bryan Reatini, a doctoral candidate in Biology, has received the Fulbright U.S. Student award to complete his dissertation research in the Galápagos Islands over the course of one year. Bryan’s research investigates the causes and consequences of hybridization between native and introduced plant species in the Galápagos islands.
Since some of the most problematic invasive species in the archipelago are closely related to endemic species, hybridization of these species could threaten endemic species while contributing to the spread of the invasive species. In particular, Bryan is examining Psidium (guava), Lantana (wild-sage), Passiflora (passionfruit), Gossypium (cotton), and Cenchrus (sandspur).