Faculty note: Grubisha publication


Lisa Grubisha, a first-year assistant professor of biology with Natural and Applied Sciences, has published a paper titled “Microsatellite Marker Development for the Coastal Dune Shrub Prunus maritima (Rosaceae)” in the February issue of Applications in Plant Sciences. Beach plum, Prunus maritime, is endemic to the coastal dune ecosystem in New England. This plant is listed as an endangered species in three states. Within the past 100 years populations have declined due to loss of habitat to coastal dune development. Grubisha’s paper details how fourteen microsatellite markers have been developed for use in evaluating the genetic composition of remaining populations. Population genetic information will be important for developing conservation management plans.