Plants, pollen, and people
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Research

Katz allergenic pollen ragweed
Allergenic pollen in urban areas
I am using methods from plant ecology and public health to predict allergenic pollen concentrations on small spatial scales (meters to kilometers).  In previous work, I have quantified the relationships between land use, ragweed plant populations, and airborne allergenic pollen in Detroit.  One of my major findings is that pollen exposure is far more tightly linked to local plant communities than was previously suspected.  I hope to use this new understanding to better predict local pollen concentrations and to reduce exposure for people with pollen allergies.   Click here to learn more about my work on allergenic pollen.  

Katz range expansion of plants
Range expansion dynamics of plants
My dissertation focused on the range expansion of plants in response to climate change.  Specifically, I assessed the potential for biotic interactions to either facilitate range expansion (via natural enemy release during establishment) or to prevent establishment in sites beyond their range (biotic resistance).  Learn more about my dissertation research here.

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  • Home
  • Research
    • Allergenic pollen
    • Range expansion of plants
  • Publications
  • Teaching
  • Photos
  • Links