Courses Taught: 

Conservation Biology, Intro to Environmental Studies, Integration & Application in Environmental Studies, DUR: Climate Change on the Prairie, Evolutionary Foundations of Biology (Spring 2024)

Research: 

Prof. Rushing’s lab studies the evolutionary implications of climate change for prairie ecosystems and potential restoration approaches to mitigate these impacts in restored plant communities.  Currently, we are using a common garden approach combined with inter- and intra-population crosses to assess the phenological and fitness outcomes of hybridization across latitudes.  In addition, we study phenological change in prairie plant communities over time and in response to changing temperatures. 

Education: 

Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota

B.A. in General Science Biology and Environmental Studies at Grinnell College