Castilla Lab Debuts at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

April 2024 was a milestone for the Castilla Lab, marking our first participation in the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. The annual Undergraduate Research Symposium is an opportunity for undergraduate students to present what they have learned through their research experiences to the OSU campus community. Two of our undergraduate researchers, Gemini Hoffman and Cade Seabolt, proudly shared their exciting findings.

Cade presented his research on germination in two hybridizing oak species, Quercus welshii and Quercus turbinella. His findings revealed notable differences in seed size and seedling emergence between the species, along with an intriguing, inverse relationship between seed size and emergence unique to each species.

Gemini studied the spatial genetic structure of Quercus grisea populations. Her research suggests hybridization between Q. grisea and Q. pungens and identifies genetic neighborhoods within Q. grisea populations, characterized by elevated kinship among neighboring trees.

​Seeing Gemini and Cade share their work with the OSU community was a proud moment. Their commitment to research aligns with the Castilla Lab's focus on curiosity, rigor, and advancing knowledge of plant evolution and ecology.
​
We look forward to seeing where their journeys take them next!