Darin S. Penneys
curriculum vitæ – January 2015
Contact Information:
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Department of Biology and Marine Biology
601 S. College Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28403
office: 910.962.3046
email: penneysd@uncw.edu
website: www.melastomes.com
google: http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=fi_kDkAAAAAJ
Research Interests:
Systematics, natural history, and evolution of angiosperms. Current projects include higher-level phylogenetic studies of Melastomataceae, using a global, multi-locus, molecular phylogeny that will serve as a foundation for a revised familial classification and biogeographical analyses. Additionally, I am conducting phylogenetic investigations using molecular and morphological characters on several tribes, some of which I recently discovered. I am especially interested in character evolution, particularly as pertains to plant-animal interactions and ecology.
Education:
2008-2010 Postdoc, California Academy of Sciences
2007-2008 Postdoc, Université Paul Sabatier / Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
2007 Ph.D., Botany, University of Florida
2001 M.S., Botany, University of Florida
1992 B.S., Biology, Southern Connecticut State University
Teaching Experience:
2015-present Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington (Lecture & lab)
2006-2007 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Local Flora of North Florida, Department of Botany, University of Florida (Lecture & lab)
2003 Instructor, Biology I. Cells, Organisms, & Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Florida (Lecture)
2001-2002 Instructor, Local Flora of North Florida, Department of Botany, University of Florida (Lecture & lab)
2000 Graduate Teaching Assistant; Tropical Botany, Department of Botany, University of Florida (Lab)
2000 Graduate Teaching Assistant; Introductory Plant Systematics, Department of Botany, University of Florida (Lab)
1998-1999 Graduate Teaching Assistant; Integrated Principles of Biology I, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Florida (Lab)
1996 Teaching Assistant, Tropical Biology, Council on International Educational Exchange, Monteverde, Costa Rica (Lecture & lab)
1995 Teaching Assistant, Tropical Dendrology, Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Costa Rica
Students:
University of North Carolina Wilmington:
Postgraduates: Alex Davila
Undergraduates: Carl Buddin
California Academy of Sciences:
M.Sc.: Jeffrey Mancera
Postgraduates: Lisa Ogata, Cher Pon, Jing Sun, Elaine Zhang.
Undergraduates: Diana Dinh, Zackary Guignardi, Tony Hua, David West.
High School: Sean Fitzhoward.
University of Vienna, Austria:
M.Sc.: Agnes Dellinger.
Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France:
M.Sc.: Diana Bailleul, Marie LeCoz.
Research Experience:
2015-present Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington
2012-present Research Fellow, Department of Botany, California Academy of Sciences
2011-2012 Research Associate, Department of Botany, California Academy of Sciences
2008-2010 John J. Rose Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Phylogenetics of the Melastomataceae, Department of Botany, California Academy of Sciences
2007-2008 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The BRIDGE, Université Paul Sabatier – Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France
2005-2006 Research Assistant in Melastome Systematics, Department of Botany, University of Florida
2002-2005 Research Assistant in Plant Systematics, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Florida
2001 Botanical Field Technician,Florida Natural Areas Inventory
2000-present Melastomataceae identifications, United States National Herbarium, Missouri Botanical Garden, New York Botanical Garden, plus other national and local herbaria throughout the U.S.A., Latin America, Europe, China, and the Philippines
1997-1998 Database Technician,University of Pennsylvania, Dan Janzen laboratory, Lepidoptera of Guanacaste Conservation Area
1995-1996 Field Botanist, Flora of Monteverde, Costa Rica (Missouri Botanical Garden)
1994-1995 Field Botanist, Santa Elena Reserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica
1993-1994 Conservation Gardener, North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
1991-1992 Botanical Technician, United States Forest Service, Fremont National Forest, Oregon
Skills:
Molecular techniques: Proficient with genomic DNA extraction and purification (phenol-chloroform and kits) from fresh and degraded tissue samples, primer design, PCR optimization and amplification, DNA sequencing. Use of lab equipment, including mill-mixer, fume hood, incubator, Nanodrop, centrifuge, thermocyclers, gel electrophoresis, imaging systems, DNA sequencers, etc.
Morphological techniques: Herbarium curation, plant identification, operation of dissecting and compound microscopes, scanning electron microscope, sputter coater, digital photography, character and character state delimitation.
Software and web: Microsoft Office, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat Pro, EndNote, NCBI BLAST, BioEdit, Macclade, Mesquite, PAUP*, MrBayes, RAxML, GARLI, BEAST, MEGA, Sequencher, Geneious, MAFFT, FigTree, TreeView.
Publications:
32. Michelangeli, F.A., A.N. Nicolas, M. Reginato, G. Ocampo, R. Goldenberg, F. Almeda, W.S. Judd, E.R. Becquer-Granados, J.D. Skean, Jr., R. Kriebel, K. Sosa, M.K. Caddah, G. Ionta, D.S. Penneys, M. Alvear, J.M. Burke, and L. Majure. Historical Biogeography of the Neotropical tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) reveals a pattern of progressive colonization from Amazonia to other Neotropical forests. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Submitted.
31. Almeda, F., M. Alvear, D.S. Penneys, and F.A. Michelangeli. Melastomataceae. In: R. Bernal (ed.). Catalogue of the plants of Colombia. Submitted.
30. Morales-Puentes, M.E., D.S. Penneys, W.S. Judd, and F. González. Revisión taxonómica del clado Chalybea/Huilaea (Melastomataceae: Blakeeae). Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales. Submitted.
29. Dellinger, A.S., D.S. Penneys, Y.M. Staedler, L. Fragner, W. Weckwerth, and J. Schoenenberger. 2014. A specialized bird pollination system with a bellows mechanism for pollen transfer and staminal food body rewards. Current Biology 24: 1615-1619. [doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.05.056]
28. Almeda, F., and D.S. Penneys. New and reconsidered species of Tropical American Melastomataceae. Brittonia 66: 160-169. [doi:10.1007/s12228-013-9320-2]
27. Penneys, D.S. 2013. Preliminary phylogeny of the Astronieae (Melastomataceae) based on nuclear and plastid DNA sequence data, with comments on the Philippine endemic genus, Astrocalyx. Philippine Journal of Science 142 (Special Issue): 159-168.
26. Penneys, D.S., and W.S. Judd. 2013. Combined molecular and morphological phylogenetic analyses of the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 174: 802-817. [doi:10.1086/670011]
25. Penneys, D.S., and W.S. Judd. 2013. New combinations and a revised circumscription for the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae). PhytoKeys 20: 17-32. [doi:10.3897/phytokeys.20.4344]
24. Michelangeli, F.A., P.J.F. Guimaraes, D.S. Penneys, F. Almeda, and R. Kriebel. 2013. Phylogenetic relationships and Distribution of New World Melastomeae (Melastomataceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 171: 38-60. [doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2012.01295.x]
23. Renner, S.S., D. Triebel, F. Almeda, R. Goldenberg, H. Mendoza-Cifuentes, F.A. Michelangeli, D.S. Penneys, R.D. Stone, and C. Ulloa. 2012. MELnet: Melastomataceae.Net (version 1.0, May 2011). In: F. Bisby, Y. Roskov, A. Culham, T. Orrell, D. Nicolson, L. Paglinawan, N. Bailly, W. Appeltans, P. Kirk, T. Bourgoin, G. Baillargeon, D. Ouvrard (eds). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 30th April 2012. Digital resource at www.catalogueoflife.org/col/. Species 2000: Reading, UK.
22. Penneys, D.S., and E. Cotton. 2011. Melastomataceae. Pp. 393-423. In: R. Valencia, N. Pitman, S. León-Yánez, and P.M. Jørgensen (eds). Libro rojo de las plantas endémicas del Ecuador, II Edition. Publicaciones del Herbario QCA, Pontifícia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito.
21. Judd, W.S., G.M. Ionta, J.D. Skean, Jr., K. Campbell, and D.S. Penneys. 2011. Noteworthy collections of Heterotis rotundifolia in Jamaica and Dominica. Castanea 76: 311-312.
20. Wanntorp, L., C. Puglisi, D.S. Penneys, and L. Ronse De Craene. 2011. Multiplications of floral organs in flowers – a case study in Conostegia (Melastomataceae, Myrtales). Pp. 218-235. In: L. Wanntorp and L. Ronse De Craene (eds). Flowers on the Tree of Life. Systematics Association Special Volume, CambridgeUniversity Press, Cambridge, England.
19. Penneys, D.S., and W.S. Judd. 2011. Phylogenetics and morphology in the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 172: 78-106. [doi:10.1086/657284]
18. Penneys, D.S., W.S. Judd, F.A. Michelangeli, and F. Almeda. 2010. Henrietteeae (Melastomataceae): A new Neotropical berry-fruited tribe. Systematic Botany 35: 783-800. [doi:10.1600/036364410X539862]
17. Morales-Puentes, M.E., and D.S. Penneys. 2010. New species of Chalybea Naud. and Huilaea Wurdack. Brittonia 62: 26-34. [doi:10.1007/s12228-009-9092-x]
16. Penneys, D.S., and L. Jost. 2009. Blakea attenboroughii (Melastomataceae: Blakeeae): A new species from Ecuador. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 60: 69-72.
15. Goldenberg, R., D.S. Penneys, F. Almeda, W.S. Judd, and F.A. Michelangeli. 2008. Phylogeny of Miconia (Melastomataceae): Patterns of stamen diversification in a megadiverse Neotropical genus. International Journal of Plant Science 169: 963-979. [doi:10.1086/589697]
14. Judd, W.S., J.D. Skean, Jr., D.S. Penneys, and F.A. Michelangeli. 2008. A new species of Henriettea (Melastomataceae) from the Sierra de Baoruco, the DomincanRepublic. Brittonia 60: 217-227. [doi:10.1007/s12228-008-9021-4]
13. Varassin, I. G., D.S. Penneys, and F.A. Michelangeli. 2008. Comparative anatomy and morphology of nectar-producing Melastomataceae. Annals of Botany 102: 899-909. [doi:10.1093/aob/mcn180]
12. Bécquer-G., E. R., K.M. Neubig, W.S. Judd, F.A. Michelangeli, J.R. Abbott, and D.S. Penneys. 2008. Preliminary molecular phylogenetic studies in Pachyanthus (Miconieae, Melastomataceae). Botanical Review 74: 37-52. [doi:10.1007/s12229-008-9010-z]
11. Michelangeli F.A., W.S. Judd, D.S. Penneys, J.D. Skean, Jr., E.R. Bécquer-G., R. Goldenberg, and C.V. Martin. 2008. Multiple events of dispersal and radiation of the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) in the Caribbean. Botanical Review 74: 53-77. [doi:10.1007/s12229-008-9004-x]
10. Almeda, F., P.E. Berry, A. Freire-Fierro, A. Gröger, B.K. Holst, N.G. Luckana, F.A. Michelangeli, T. Morley, D.S. Penneys, S.S. Renner, O.R. Robinson, J.J. Wurdack, and K. Yatskievych. 2007. Melastomataceae. Pp. 397-417. In: V. Funk, T. Hollowell, P. Berry, C. Kelloff, and S.N. Alexander (eds.). Checklist of the plants of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana). Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, WashingtonD.C.
9. Blanco, M.A., W.M. Whitten, D.S. Penneys, N.H. Williams, K.M. Neubig, and L. Endara. 2006. A simple and safe method for rapid drying of plant specimens using forced-air space heaters. Selbyana 27: 83-87.
8. Penneys, D.S., and W.S. Judd. 2005. A cladistic analysis and systematic revision of Charianthus (Miconieae: Melastomataceae) using morphological and molecular characters. Systematic Botany 30: 559-584. [doi:10.1600/0363644054782125]
7. Judd, W.S., and D.S. Penneys. 2004. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). VIII. A revision of the species of the Miconia desportesii complex on Hispaniola. Rhodora 106: 124-147.
6. Michelangeli, F.A., D.S. Penneys, J. Giza, D.E. Soltis, M.H. Hils, and J.D. Skean, Jr. 2004. A preliminary phylogeny of the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) based on nrITS sequence data and its implications on inflorescence position. Taxon 53: 279-290.
5. Penneys, D.S., and W.S. Judd. 2004. Two new species of Charianthus (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) from the Lesser Antilles. Brittonia 56: 19-27. [doi:10.1663/0007-196X(2004)056[0151:TNSOCM]2.0.CO;2]
4. Judd, W.S., D.S. Penneys, and J.D. Skean, Jr. 2004. Rediscovery of Ossaea alloeotricha, an endemic of the high-elevation Massif de la Hotte, Haiti, and its transfer to Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). Brittonia 56: 56-62. [doi:10.1663/0007-196X(2004)056[0159:ROOAAE]2.0.CO;2]
3. Penneys, D.S., and W.S. Judd. 2003. The resurrection and lectotypification of Tetrazygia fadyenii (Melastomataceae: Miconieae): A hummingbird-pollinated treelet endemic to Jamaica. Sida 20: 877-884.
2. Penneys, D.S. 2001 – onward. Melastomataceae of the World [online]. Available at: http://www.melastomes.com
1. Penneys, D.S. 1996. A guide to the common flowering plant families of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Published by the author. 65 pp.
Presentations:
27. Dellinger, A., D.S. Penneys, and J. Schönenberger. Floral food-bodies and a special pollen dispersal mechanism in bird-pollinated Axinaea (Melastomataceae). Botany 2014, 27 July – 31 July 2014, Boise, Idaho.
26. Penneys, D.S. From systematics to sex: The evolutionary biology of the Meadow Beauties (Melastomataceae). Invited lecture, 12 May 2014, Cenral Mindanao University, Philippines.
25. Penneys, D.S. From systematics to sex: The evolutionary biology of the Meadow Beauties (Melastomataceae). Invited lecture, 10 April 2014, Southern Illinois University.
24. Penneys, D.S., Almeda, F., F.A. Michelangeli, and P.W. Fritsch. A survey of remarkable evolutionary trends in the Melastomataceae. Botany 2013, 27 July – 31 July 2013, New Orleans, Louisiana.
23. Almeda, F., D.S. Penneys, and M. Reginato. Patterns of chromosome number diversity and evolution in the Melastomataceae. Botany 2013, 27 July – 31 July 2013, New Orleans, Louisiana.
22. Majure, L., W.S. Judd, G. Ionta, J.D. Skean, Jr., E.R. Becquer, R. Kriebel, M. Reginato, J. Burke, D.S. Penneys, G. Ocampo, M. Alvear, R. Goldenberg, F. Almeda, and F.A. Michelangeli. Evaluating morphological evolution in tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae): homoplasy is the rule not the exception. Botany 2013, 27 July – 31 July 2013, New Orleans, Louisiana.
21. Penneys, D.S. Melastomataceae phylogenetics: exceptional examples of morphology, migrations, and mating. Invited lecture, 22 May 2013, University of Vienna (Universität Wien).
20. Dellinger, A., D.S. Penneys, and J. Schönenberger. Floral food-bodies and a bellows-like mechanism in bird-pollinated Axinaea (Melastomataceae). Annual Conference of the Society for Tropical Ecology, 2 – 5 April 2013, Vienna, Austria.
19. Morales-P., M.E., F. González, D.S. Penneys, and W.S. Judd. Recircunscripción y revisión del complejo Chalybea + Huilaea (Melastomataceae) con base en un análisis filogenético de datos morfológicos y moleculares. VI Congreso Colombiano de Botánica, 11 – 15 August 2011, Cali, Colombia.
18. Penneys, D.S., F. Almeda, and F.A. Michelangeli. Progress towards a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis and revised classification of the Melastomataceae. Botany 2010, 31 July – 4 August 2010, Providence, Rhode Island.
17. Penneys, D.S., and W.S. Judd. Phylogeny and character evolution in the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae). Botany 2010, 31 July – 4 August 2010, Providence, Rhode Island.
16. Guimaraes, P.J.F., D.S. Penneys, and F.A. Michelangeli. A phylogenetic analysis of Neotropical Melastomeae (Melastomataceae), with an emphasis on Tibouchina. Botany 2010, 31 July – 4 August 2010, Providence, Rhode Island.
15. Penneys, D.S. Tropical plant collecting expeditions, and evolution of the Princess Flowers. Invited lecture, 19 February 2010, California Academy of Sciences. Available at: http://fora.tv/2010/02/19/Darin_Penneys_Tropical_Plant_Collecting_Expeditions
14. Penneys, D.S. Meandering through the Melastomataceae: Evolutionary studies in the Princess Flower family. Invited lecture, 12 November 2009, California Academy of Sciences.
13. Penneys, D.S. Phylogeny and character evolution in the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae): Neotropical hemiepiphytes with mite and ant domatia. Invited lecture, 1 May 2009, University of California – Berkeley.
12. Varassin, I.G., D.S. Penneys, and F.A. Michelangeli. Comparative anatomy and morphology of nectar producing Melastomataceae. Botany & Plant Biology Joint Congress, 7 – 11 July 2007, Chicago, Illinois.
11. Morales-P, M., D.S. Penneys, W.S. Judd, and F. Gonzalez. Reevaluación de Huilaea Wurdack y Chalybea Naudin (Melastomataceae) como géneros endémicos de Colombia. IV Congreso Colombiano de Botánica, 22 – 27 April 2007, Medellín, Colombia.
10. Sandino, T., M.E. Morales-P., X. Marquínez, and D.S. Penneys. Exploración de caracteres anatómicos de inflorescencia y flor de Blakeeae (Melastomataceae) filogenéticamente informativos. IV Congreso Colombiano de Botánica, 22 – 27 April 2007, Medellín, Colombia.
9. Michelangeli, F.A., W.S. Judd, D.S. Penneys, J.D. Skean, Jr., E. Bécquer, R. Goldenberg, and C.V. Martin. La tribu Miconieae (Melastomataceae) en las Antillas: múltiples eventos de dispersión y radiación. IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica, 19 – 25 June 2006, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
8. Bécquer-G., E., D.S. Penneys, K.M. Neubig, and W.S. Judd. Sistemática, taxonomía y biogeografía de Pachyanthus (Miconieae, Melastomataceae), un género endémico de las Antillas Mayores. IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica, 19–25 June 2006, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
7. Bécquer-G., E., D.S. Penneys, K.M. Neubig, W.S. Judd, and J.R. Abbott. Análisis filogenético preliminar de Pachyanthus (Miconieae: Melastomataceae) basado en datos moleculares. IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica, 19–25 June 2006, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
6. Morales-P, M., D.S. Penneys, W.S. Judd, and F. Gonzalez. Estudio preliminar de las relaciones filogenéticas de los generos Huilaea Wurd. y Chalybea Naud. en la tribu Blakeeae (Melastomataceae). IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica, 19 – 25 June 2006, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
5. Michelangeli, F.A., R. Goldenberg, W.S. Judd, D.S. Penneys, C.V. Martin, J.D. Skean, Jr, and E. Bécquer-G. Estudos filogenéticos em Miconieae (Melastomataceae). 56 Congresso Nacional de Botănica, October 2005, Curitiba, Brasil.
4. Penneys, D.S., F.A. Michelangeli, W.S. Judd, and J.D. Skean, Jr. Henrietteeae, a new tribe of neotropical Melastomataceae. Botany 2004, 31 July – 5 August 2004, Snowbird, Utah.
3. Judd, W.S., D.S. Penneys, and J.D. Skean, Jr. Systematic diversity of Miconia (Melastomataceae) on Hispaniola. Botany 2004, 31 July – 5 August 2004, Snowbird, Utah.
2. Almeda, F., R. Goldenberg, F.A. Michelangeli, D.S. Penneys, and S.S. Renner. Progress in Miconia (Melastomataceae): 1531 names, 1061 readily distinguishable entities. Systematics 2003. 4th Biennial Meeting of the Systematics Association, 18 – 23 August 2003, Dublin, Ireland.
1. Penneys, D.S., and W.S. Judd. A cladistic analysis of Charianthus (Miconieae: Melastomataceae) using morphological and molecular characters. Botany 2001, 12 – 16 August 2001, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Posters:
7. Alvear, M., Almeda, F., D.S. Penneys, and F.A. Michelangeli. Colombia, a major center of diversity for neotropical Melastomataceae. Botany 2009, 25 – 29 July 2009, Snowbird, Utah.
6. Penneys, D.S. Molecules, morphology, mites, and epiphytes: Phylogeny and character evolution in the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae). Evolution: California Academy of Sciences and University of California – San Francisco. 17 April 2009, San Francisco, CA.
5. Sandino, T., M.E. Morales-P., X. Marquínez, and D.S. Penneys. Anatomía de inflorescencias y flores de algunas especies de Blakea P. Browne y Topobea Aubl. (Melastomataceae: Blakeeae). IV Congreso Colombiano de Botánica, 22 – 27 April 2007, Medellín, Colombia.
4. Sandino, T., M.E. Morales-P., X. Marquínez, and D.S. Penneys. Morfología de inflorescencias y flores de algunas especies de Blakea P. Browne y Topobea Aubl. (Melastomataceae: Blakeeae). IV Congreso Colombiano de Botánica, 22 – 27 April 2007, Medellín, Colombia.
3. Morales-P., M.E., D.S. Penneys, F.A. González G., and W.S. Judd. Filogenía de Huilaea Wurdack y Chalybea Naudin (Melastomataceae) y reevaluación de su condición endémica para Colombia. IV Congreso Colombiano de Botánica, 22 – 27 April 2007, Medellín, Colombia.
2. Morales-P., M.E., D.S. Penneys, W.S. Judd, and F.A. González-G. Estudio preliminary de las relaciones filogenéticas de los géneros Huilaea Wurd. y Chalybea Naud. en la tribu Blakeeae (Melastomataceae). IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Botanica, 18 – 25 June 2006, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
1. Penneys, D.S., W.M.Whitten, N.H. Williams, and W.S. Judd. Huilaea and the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae): phylogenetic relationships reconsidered. Botany 2004, July 31 – August 5 2004, Snowbird, UT.
Television:
In September, 2011, filmed pilot episode of “Wicked Plants.” This was to be a documentary television series devoted to searching for deadly plants and describing cases of poisoning with historical significance. Examples include Socrates who died from drinking poison hemlock (Conium sp.), Bulgarian journalist Georgi Markov who was murdered after being jabbed by an assassin’s ricin (Ricinus communis)-laced umbrella tip, and Abraham Lincoln’s mother who died from milk sickness caused by snakeroot (Ageratina altissima).
Grants and Awards:
2014 California Academy of Sciences – Lakeside Foundation Award. $90,000
2014 National Science Foundation – Plant-animal interactions, phylogenetics, and biogeography in the Merianieae (Melastomataceae). NSF DEB-1328149 (Declined). PI: D.S. Penneys. Co-PIs: N. Mucchala, C. Ulloa, F.A. Michelangeli, P.W. Fritsch
2012 National Science Foundation – Assessing phylogeny and biogeography in a megadiverse tropical plant family (Melastomataceae). NSF DEB-1146409. $545,200. PI: D.S. Penneys. Co-PIs: F. Almeda, P.W. Fritsch, F.A. Michelangeli
2011 Global Biodiversity Information Facility – Travel Award. $1200
2010 Horne Family Foundation. $7500
2010 California Academy of Sciences, Lindsay Award for Field Research. $4600
2009 California Academy of Sciences, Lindsay Award for Field Research. $5000
2006 Deep Time Travel Award. $500
2005 National Science Foundation – Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant. Phylogeny and character evolution in the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae): Neotropical hemiepiphytes with mite and ant domatia. NSF DEB:0508582. $12,000
2005 New England Botanical Club – Merritt Lyndon Fernald Award for best paper published in Volume 106 of Rhodora. $1500
2004 Botanical Society of America – Karling Award. $500
2004 American Society of Plant Systematists – Graduate Student Research Grant. $900
2004 Deep Time Travel Award. $500
2002 Graduate Student Teacher Award, University of Florida. $750
2002 Deep Time Travel Award. $500
2001 Deep Time Travel Award. $500
Other Honors and Eponyms:
2013 Cover photograph. International Journal of Plant Sciences 174 (5). (Blakea anomala Donn. Sm.)
2010 Cover photograph. Brittonia 62 (1). (Huilaea calyptrata Penneys & M.E. Morales)
Graffenrieda penneysii Michelang. & C. Ulloa. Phytotaxa 77 (3): 44. 2013.
Epidendrum penneystigma Hágsater & García-Cruz. In: Icones Orchidacearum, fasc. 3 (2): t. 368. 1999.
Professional Affiliations:
American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Botanical Society of America
International Association of Plant Taxonomists
National Science Teachers Association
Society of Systematic Biologists
Contributor:
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Melastomataceae treatment MelList, a complete taxonomy of Melastomataceae sensu lato (Myrtales, eurosids, flowering plants) for the Electronic Catalogue of Names of Known Organisms
Flora Neotropica: Monograph of the Blakeeae
PBI: A complete web-based monograph of the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae): NSF DEB: 0818399. $2,999,756
A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Miconieae (Melastomataceae) based on molecular and morphological characters: NSF DEB: 0515665. $178,273
Deep Time: A comprehensive phylogenetic tree of living and fossil angiosperms: NSF IOB: 0090283. $499,351
Reviewer:
Adansonia, Brittonia, Caldasia, Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Nordic Journal of Botany, Novon, Phytokeys, Phytotaxa, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Revista de Biología Tropical/International Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation, Revista Peruana de Biología, Selbyana, Systematic Botany
Travels (Number of trips / total number of weeks):
Americas: Bolivia (1 / 3), Canada (1 / 3), Colombia (2 / 5), Costa Rica (lived there for three years 1994-1996, afterwards, 2 / 6), Dominica (1 / 2), Ecuador (3 / 10), French Guiana (1 / 4), Martinique (1 / 2), Mexico (3 / 7), Nicaragua (4 / 3), Panama (1 / 5), Peru (1 / 3), Puerto Rico (1 / 1), U.S.A. (all states except Alaska and Kentucky); Europe: Andorra (1 / 0.1), Austria (1 / 1), Belgium (2 / 1.5), England (2 / 2), France (lived there for one year 2007-2008, otherwise 4 / 5), Germany (1 / 0.5), Holland (3 / 3), Italy (1 / 2), Monaco (1 / 0.5), Spain (3 / 2), Switzerland (1 / 0.5); Asia: China (mainland, 1 / 4; Hong Kong, 1 / 0.2), Indonesia (1 / 2), Philippines (2 / 9), Taiwan (1 / 0.1), Vietnam (1 / 2.5).
Languages:
Spanish, French; working knowledge of Biological Latin, Portuguese.