Dr. Kaproth's Research Projects

The Kaproth Lab investigates how plant species adapt and spread across environments.

We tend to focus on maples and oaks as a model systems - the later of which are the most diverse and abundant woody genera in the United States and Mexico. Past work shows these North American species diversified from a common ancestor and converged on drought adaptataion patterns.

Plant systems allow us to investigate fundamental ecological processes driving species success and providing practical applications for species management. I am especially interested in focusing on plant drought tolerance, functional trait adaptation, the interaction of soil and plants, as well as invasive species biology. My lab uses common gardens, herbarium collections, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), along with lab and field measurements to investigate the evolution of stress tolerance (and suites of additional traits) across the Americas.

The Kaproth Lab works with a team of collaborators. We have conducted systematics and demographic studies in widespread plant systems (oaks and maples), rare plant systems (prairie) and invasive plant systems (such as reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea and tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima).

Areas of interest:

• Botany / Ecology / Ecophysiology
• Systematics / Trait variation and adaptation / Drought tolerance
• Invasive species 
• Plant conservation / Prairies & Savanna
• Population biology & dispersal
• Environmental science
• Remote sensing & GIS
• Environmental policy

Lab MEMBERS aND CURRENT PROJECTS

Recruitment:

For Spring 2027, the Kaproth Lab is looking for an *exceptional* MS graduate student to work on an ongoing USDA grant related to sugar maples (Acer saccharum). Applicants must be *highly motivated* and have a strong interest in plant ecology (projects should include investigations in plant health and ecophysiology with a focus on LI-COR IRGAs, remote sensing, microbiology, statistics, analysis, and forest sustainability) using field and lab work. The student will work with a team to assist in building a remote sensing model to predict maple syrup production and forest health. 

The research may be conducted at local field sites (e.g. in Minnesota), but will also have summers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The academic portion of the degree will take place at Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cset.mnsu.edu/departments/biological-sciences/graduate-programs/

Caveat: The position includes a full tuition waiver, an annual $10k Graduate Teaching Assistantship (TA) stipend, and additional $6k summer Graduate Research Assistantships (RA).

If interested in joining the lab for a MS DEGREE, please email me the following:

1. A letter of interest that tells me about your research interests, background, types of questions you are interested in, etc.;
2. An unofficial university transcript (your undergraduate GPA should be >3.0);
3. Outstanding communication and writing skills;
4. Your CV (including the contact information for a reference);
5. Anything else that you think makes you uniquely qualified for the position

Here’s a part of what I can contribute:

1. Attentive mentorship and career development;
2. Training in statistics, plant biology/ecology, ecophysiology, plant systematics, and experimental design;
3. Teaching opportunities (TA with $10k stipend during Spring and Fall semesters, with a tuition waiver);

4. Additional summer support (RA with $6k stipend for two summers) and travel costs covered;

5. Contacts in academia and with regional partners (Montana State University, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, MN Dept. of Natural Resources, The Prairie Enthusiasts, Morton Arboretum, etc.)

6. An ally and an environment that encourages a healthy work-life balance (i.e. gentle reminders of ways to thrive as a grad student)