As an evolutionary botanist, my background is in taxonomic, phylogenetic, and biogeographic research with a focus on tropical African Rubiaceae. Originally, my multi-disciplinary research focused on the study of the evolutionary and ecological aspects of a plant-bacteria symbiosis in African plants. My current research interests lie in valorising the extensive biodiversity data that is present in botanical collections and open access databases. I combine existing and newly gathered biodiversity data with modern molecular approaches to address fundamental questions about the evolution and ecology of tropical African plant diversity.

 

I am the editor in chief of Plant Ecology and Evolution, a scientific journal that publishes about the ecology and evolution of all plant groups, and with a particular interest in (sub)tropical African biodiversity. The journal is diamond open access and provides a platform for botanists to disseminate their research on plant biodiversity.

 

Beyond my academic roles, I actively engage with the broader Rubiaceae community, acting as a point of contact and maintaining a dedicated Rubiaceae-Gentianales website. Additionally, I manage the largest database of Rubiaceae literature, which serves as an indispensable resource for researchers worldwide.