Jocelyn Holt , M.S. Student

Email: holtjocelyn@gmail.com

Lab: Chaparral Hall 5309

Mailing Address: Department of Biology, California State University, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330-8303

 

Education

California Polytechnic University Pomona, B.S. Biology minor in Botany

 

I am interested in the reproductive biology of plants. My current project focuses on the pollination ecology of the federally endangered sunflower Lyon's Pentachaeta. As Pentachaeta populations continue to decline, it is important to determine if low density patches suffer from the Allee effect, the inability to attract a mate (or be pollinated) at low densities. If Lyon's Pentachaeta suffers from the Allee effect, then this means that low density patches could suffer local extinction. In an effort to conserve this species, low density patches could be augmented with potted plants to aid in attracting insect visitors. If, however, patches do not suffer from the Allee effect, then other factors are causing population declines such as competition with non-native plants (Pucci, 2006).

 

Honors

Newhall Land and Farming Company Southern California Ecology Research Grant

Travel Grant from the Associated Students for field work

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant

 

Favorite Subjects

Plant Ecology; Philosophy of Science; Neotropics; Conservation Biology; Plant-Insect Interactions; Species and Niches.

 

Skills (and ambitions)

Nature Photography; Identification of Plants and Pollinators; Microdissection (e.g. of insects); Nature Journalism.