Dr. Pratt recieved 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:
Contact Information:
Dr. Donald
B. Pratt, Associate Professor
Stephen F. Austin State University
Department of Biology
Miller Science Building, Room 112
Box 13003 SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
phone (936) 468-2038
fax (936) 468-2056
prattdb@sfasu.edu
