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Abstract
     A fundamental goal of evolutionary biology is to understand how genetic changes alter the developmental processes and generate phenotypic variation. My research focuses on floral pigmentation patterning, an ecologically important trait that shows high morphological diversity. Anthocyanin-based pigmentation patterning (e.g., spots or stripes on flower petals) is widespread in flowering plants. Given that one function of flower color is to attract animal pollinators, floral pigmentation patterning is a trait sitting at the intersection of ecological interaction, genetics, and evolution. In this seminar, I will discuss genetics, development, and evolution of petal pigmentation patterning in an allotetraploid annual Clarkia gracilis ssp. sonomensis. I will also introduce my current projects on anthocyanin-regulating factors in Mimulus and show the promise of gene function characterization with an efficient agrobacterium-mediated, in planta transformation protocol that has been developed in the Mimulus system. Finally, I will describe my future research plans, which aim to deepen our understanding of pigmentation patterning, a major contributor to morphological diversification in flowers.