Faculty

Donald B. Pratt, Ph.D.

     Dr. Pratt received his B.S. in Botany from Brigham Young University and a M.S. in Botany, Plant Systematics and Evolution from Iowa State University. He then received his Ph.D. in Botany, Plant Systematics and Evolution from Iowa State University. Dr. Pratt joined the biology faculty in the fall of 2003.

     Dr. Pratt’s primary research is in plant systematics (evolutionary history and taxonomy), with an emphasis in the important weedy genus Amaranthus, as well as the closely related Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae plant families. Dr. Pratt’s current research emphasizes 1) the recovery of evolutionary histories (phylogenies) using molecular markers; and 2) using well-developed molecular based phylogenies to better understand the evolution of morphological characters. Examples include: the evolution of breeding systems in Amaranthus, the distinctive bract structures of the Amaranthaceae, and the dispersal units of the Amaranthaceae and Chenopodiaceae. Dr. Pratt’s research includes both lab (DNA sequencing, molecular markers, and herbarium study) and field (plant collection) aspects.

Dr. Pratt teaches:

131- Introductory Botany
251-Plant Kingdom
370-Evolution
401-Plant Anatomy

Contact Information:

Dr. Don B. Pratt, Associate Professor  
Stephen F. Austin State University
Department of Biology
Miller Science Building, Room 111
Box 13003 SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962
phone (936) 468-2038
fax (936) 468-2056
email: prattdb@sfasu.edu