Zhuzan Xirao (Zan)

Zan is very interested in plant speciation processes in the context of reticulated evolution, and methods for integrative taxonomy and conservation botany. He is currently working on the systematics and protection of Ireland endemic Saxifraga L., a group of alpine beauty with exceptional rarity and diversity. He is also renewing the saxifrage collections of Professor D.A. Webb which were one of his lifelong favourite groups. The PhD project focuses on assessing the variation among saxifrage populations and the assignation of parentage in threatened but ambiguous taxa (S. rosacea and allies). It incorporates estimation of recent demographic history with genomic, morphological and microscopic data.

Holding a bachelor's degree in plant breeding and secondary metabolic physiology and a M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Conservation, Zan also has over decade of field experience in the vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of western China. He assists in the ethnic botanical survey and establishment of the first local alpine arboretum with a scientific herbarium in his spare time.

Supervisors:

Professor Trevor Hodkinson (Trinity)

Dr. Colin Kelleher (National Botanic Gardens of Ireland)

Dr. Peter Moonlight (Trinity)

Dr. Richard Gornall (University of Leicester, Fellow of the Linnean Society)

Funders:

Research Ireland

David A. Webb Memorial Travel Scholarship