Scientific Staff

Andrew L. Hipp, PhD

Director of the Herbarium and Senior Scientist in Plant Systematics

Content Detail

Andrew directs research into the evolution and ecological implications of plant diversity.

Research in the Arboretum’s Hipp Lab employs the tools of molecular systematics, genomics, community ecology, and herbarium study. Current research focuses on oaks (Quercus, Fagaceae), sedges (Carex, Cyperaceae), and the use of phylogenetic and trait diversity to inform questions in ecological restoration and community ecology.

Andrew Hipp has played a leading role in phylogenetics of oaks (Quercus) and sedges (Carex) worldwide, and aggregation and dissemination of specimen- and species-level data about both groups. In 2013, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to work with colleagues at INRA-BioGeCo in Bordeaux, France. He currently serves as a lecturer for the Committee on Evolutionary Biology at The University of Chicago, and as a Research Associate in the Integrative Research Center of The Field Museum.

He is the author and/or coauthor of more than 90 peer-reviewed journal articles, two field guides, more than 20 book chapters and popular publications, online tools for plant identification, and 16 children’s books on a variety of natural history topics. He has collaborated on the development of genetic markers for studies of gene flow and phylogenetics; development of analytical tools for phylogenetic analysis of DNA fingerprinting (AFLP) and restriction-site associated DNA (RADseq) data; phylogenetic and taxonomic investigations in sedges, oaks, elms, basswoods, crabapples, euphorbs, maples, and other vascular plant groups; and research into intraspecific and interspecific patterns of gene flow.

He regularly collaborates on regional floristic projects and facilitates floristic and taxonomic projects through his role as Curator of The Morton Arboretum Herbarium and collaborator on vPlants, a virtual herbarium of the Chicago region. He speaks and reviews widely; mentors postgraduate, graduate, and undergraduate researchers; teaches college courses; and works with elementary and grade school teachers to improve science teaching through hands-on research experience.

Education

PhD, Botany

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI

  • Scientific Committee, IUFRO Workshop On Fagaceae And Nothofagaceae Genetics And Genomics, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden (2017)
  • Scientific committee, Genomics and Forest Tree Genetics Conference (IUFRO), Arcachon (2016)
  • International Oak Society co-organizer and co-host, The Morton Arboretum (2015)
  • PI for development of multi-institutional NSF-Funded Ware Field Experimental Prairie (2014-21)
  • Fulbright Research Fellow, BioGeCo, INRAE, Bordeaux/Pierroton, France (2014)
  • Lead PI, Global Carex Group, founded under NSF-funded ARTS: Revising the classification of the temperate zone’s largest angiosperm genus (Carex, Cyperaceae), and training the next generation of sedge systematists (2013-17)
  • Managing Editor, Systematic Botany (2013)
  • Lead PI, NSF-funded Phylogeny of the New World oaks: Diversification of an ecologically important clade across the tropical-temperate divide (2012-16)
  • Co-organizer, BioSynC / EOL-funded workshop, Coordinating work on regional and global diversity of Carex (Cyperaceae), the largest angiosperm genus of the temperate zone (2011)
  • Associate Editor, Systematic Botany (2008-12)
  • Lecturer in the Committee on Evolutionary Biology at The University of Chicago (2008-present)
  • Research Associate in the Neguanee Integrative Research Center of The Field Museum (2004-present)
  • Honorary Research Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2004-16)

 

Projects (9)