Dr. Matthew Kaproth, Associate Professor

PhD | Faculty

Address: Office | 271 Trafton Science Center S
Phone: 507-389-2787
Email: matthew.kaproth@mnsu.edu

Degree

  • PhD, University of Vermont - Plant Biology
  • MS, West Virginia University - Biology
  • BS, SUNY Brockport - Environmental Science, Earth Science

Research Interests

  • Plant functional trait adaptation
  • Stress tolerance
  • Species conservation (Red Listing)
  • Herbarium curation

I am a plant biologist interested in investigating fundamental processes driving species success. I have a particularly strong interest in understanding traits expressed in populations out of control (too few or too many) and how species adapt to their environment. My research works to characterize species trait diversity, life-histories, stress tolerance, habitat patterns, and mechanisms that determine species abundance. To do this, I utilize herbarium and field trait surveys, phylogenetic analysis, niche modeling, and ecophysiological measurements.

students outside on campus looking for specific types of flora to identify in textbook

I teach seminar, General Biology II (BIOL 106), Flora of Minnesota (BIOL 442), Plant Ecology (BIOL 443W), and RISEbio. I aim to encourage curiosity in my teaching and research and want to outfit students with the tools for understanding and investigating how organisms survive in their environment.

I also am the Director of the Darlene and William Radichel Herbarium, an active research lab and archive of plant and lichen collections.

Send me an email if you have any questions, would like to speak at a seminar or would like to visit the herbarium.

Different types of herbarium specimens on a table

Torch end