Mary Ashley, PhD
Professor
Biological Sciences
Contact
Building & Room:
1031 SELW
Address:
900 West Taylor Street Chicago, IL 60607
Office Phone:
Email:
Related Sites:
About
I am a molecular ecologist and population geneticist. I am interested in using genetic variation to investigate ecological and evolution processes including mating systems, gene flow, and landscape genetics. I am also especially interested in applying ecological genetics to issues in conservation biology and the management of threatened species, including genetic aspects of restorations and reintroductions. While my students, postdocs and I have investigated many different species, including both plants and animals, I do have longstanding interests in oaks (genus Quercus) and the evolution of the flora and fauna of the California Channel Islands. Outside of the lab, I am active in promoting participation of women and minorities in STEM fields. I am currently PI on an NSF grant for Hispanic Serving Institutions to develop a culturally relevant curriculum for biology and chemistry students, using the theme of monarch and milkweed interactions.
Selected Publications
(Complete list of publications on Google Scholar)
- Capurucho, J. M. G., M. V. Ashley, C. C. Ribas and J. M. Bates. 2018. Connecting Amazonian, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest histories: Paraphyly, old divergences, and modern population dynamics in tyrant-manakins (Neopelma/Tyranneutes, Aves: Pipridae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution127: 696-705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.06.015
- Kim, E. S., D. N. Zaya, J. B. Fant, and M. V. Ashley. 2019. Reproductive trade-offs maintain bract color polymorphism in Scarlet Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea). PLoS ONE 14: e0209176. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209176
- Palagi, J. M. and M. V Ashley. 2019. Deer florivory is associated with changes in clonal structure of the woodland plant bluebead lily. International Journal of Plant Science180: 357-365. https://doi.org/10.1086/702861
- Ashley, M.V., J. R. Backs, L. Kindsvater and S. T. Abraham. 2018. Genetic variation and structure in an endemic island oak, Quercus tomentellaand mainland canyon oak, Quercus chrysolepis. International Journal of Plant Science179:151-161. https://doi.org/10.1086/696023
- Jinga, P. and M. V. Ashley. 2018. A mountain range is a strong genetic barrier between populations of Afzelia quanzensis (Pod mahogany) with low genetic diversity. Tree Genetics and Genomes, 14 (1).
- Zaya, D. N., S. A. Leicht-Young, N. B. Pavlovic, C. S. Hetrea and M. V. Ashley. 2017. Widespread mislabeling of an invasive vine (Celastrus orbiculatus) as a native congener (C. scandens) in horticulture. Invasive Plant Science and Management 10:313-321.
- Backs, J. R. and M. V. Ashley. 2016. Evolutionary history and gene flow of an endemic island oak: Quercus pacifica K. Nixon & C.H. Muller (Fagaceae). American Journal of Botany103:2115-2125. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1600259
- Caballero, I.C. J.M. Bates, M. Hennen,and M.V. Ashley. 2016. Sex in the city: Breeding behavior of urban peregrine falcons in the Midwestern US. PLoS One 11(7): e0159054. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159054
- Ashley, M. V., S. T. Abraham, J. R. Backs and W. D. Koenig. 2015. Landscape genetics and population structure in valley oak (Quercus lobata Neé). American Journal of Botany 102:2124-2131.
- Kim, E. S., D. N. Zaya, J. B. Fant and M. V. Ashley. 2015. Genetic factors accelerate demographic decline in rare Asclepias species. Conservation Genetics 16:359-369. DOI: 10.1007/s10592-014-0663-3.
- Zaya, D.N., S. A. Leicht-Young, N. B. Pavlovic, K. A. Feldheim and M. V. Ashley. 2015. Genetic characterization of hybridization between native and invasive bittersweet vines (Celastrus spp.). Biological Invasions 17(10): 2975-2988. DOI: 10.1007/s10530-015-0926-z
Education
PhD, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California
BA, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio