Focus on the faculty: Lisa Donovan

Great Q & A on the UGA homepage with professor of plant biology Lisa Donovan:

When did you come to UGA and what brought you here?

I came to the University of Georgia in 1995 and was attracted by the diversity and excellence of the plant biologists here.

What are your favorite courses and why?

At the undergraduate level, I enjoy contributing to BIOL 1108, “Principles of Plant Biology II” for biology majors, because it provides the opportunity to interact with a lot of students early in their academic careers. At the graduate level, I enjoy teaching PBIO 8890, “Plant Reproductive and Physiological Ecology,” because I get to teach my specialty to receptive and enthusiastic graduate students.

What interests you about your field?

An understanding of ecological and evolutionary relationships helps explain the patterns that I see in the natural world around me. It also has the potential to help us mitigate the effects of global climate change.

What are some highlights of your career at UGA?

I have had some research successes, but I get just as much satisfaction from being graduate coordinator, which allows me to facilitate the professional development of young scientists.

How does your research or scholarship inspire your teaching, and vice versa

Research allows me to contribute to our understanding of plant ecological and evolutionary responses to the environment. Teaching keeps my small research contributions in perspective within the bigger picture of science and society.  You never really understand something until you teach it!