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Laura R. Lewis Ph.D., University of California, Davis, 2006 Assistant Professor |
| Office: | 211- G Sondheim Hall |
| Phone: | 410-455-3054 |
| Email Address: | ljlewis@umbc.edu |
| Research Interests: | I am primarily interested in thebiogeography of crop species, particularly those of African origin. My research focuses on agricultural dynamics with an emphasis on ethnobiology, genetic resource management, and conservation in traditional farming systems. My present work takes place in warm, semi-arid, and arid regions, particularly the Sahara and the Sahel of Africa. I am also interested in the biogeography, range dynamics, and genetic diversity of insects associated with cropping systems. Current methodologies include phenological, morphological, and molecular analyses of species, in addition to ethnographic surveys with farmers. A secondary research interest of mine is agro-biodiversity at the urban landscape. This work focuses on the types of agricultural products available to the urban community at various spatial scales, where those products are grown and processed, and who utilizes these agricultural commodities for consumption or commercial gain. |
| Recent Research Activities: | I recently completed a research project that focused on the biogeography and genetic diversity of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), a Sahelian domesticate. Two types of analyses were performed on 67 populations of pearl millet germplasm that had been collected throughout its native range in Africa. The first analysis consisted of measuring phenological and phenotypic characteristics based on 32 morphological traits. The second analysis involved the use of 14 microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), to investigate molecular diversity within and among populations. These populations included the three known subspecies of P. glaucum. The results of this research indicate that the current taxonomic organization of pearl millet into three distinct subspecies is biologically invalid at the molecular level. There was a lack of significant genetic differentiation between populations, with nearly all variation found within populations. This indicates that rather than separate subspecies, pearl millet is one large population or meta-population throughout the Sahelian range. |
| Recent Publications: | Hansen, J.D., L.R. Lewis & S.R. Drake. 2005. Trap catches of codling moth in commercial Washington sweet cherry orchards. Journal of Tree Fruit Production. 3: 33-43. Hansen, J.D. & L.R. Lewis. 2003. Field survival of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on artificially infested sweet cherries. Crop Protection. 22 (5): 721-727. Hansen, J.D., Lewis, L.R. & G. F. Simmons. 2003. Arthropods present on removed foliage from an apple packing line. Southwest Entomologist. 28: 205-210. Hansen, J.D., Rehmke, L.J. & G.F. Simmons. 2003. Packinghouse survey of Washington cherries for surface arthropods. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 76 (1): 76-78. Landolt, P.J., Wixson, T., Rehmke, L.J., Lewis, R.R. & R.S. Zack. Methyl anthranilate attracts males of Thaumatomyia glabra (Meigen) (Diptera: Chloropidae). 2000. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 73: 189-194.
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| Recent Presentations: | Lewis, L.R. 2006. Biogeography and genetic diversity of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) from Africa. Association of American Geographers, Annual Meeting. March 7 – 11. Chicago, Illinois. Lewis, L.R., Brush, S.B. & P.L. Gepts. 2004. Regional biogeography and local farmer management of pearl millet and their impact on genetic diversity. Invited Speaker for: American Society of Agronomy, 96th Annual Meeting. Div. C-8 – Plant Genetic Resources: Symposium - Landraces: Infra-specific Diversity and Adaptive Divergence on an Endangered Evolutionary Link: I. October 31 – November 4. Seattle, Washington. Lewis, L.R. 2004. Germplasm management of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) by Hausa and Fulani in Niger, West Africa. Society of Ethnobiology 27th Annual Conference. March 24-27. Davis, California. Lewis, L.R. 2003. Regional biogeography and local farmer management of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and their impact on genetic diversity. Fall Seminar Series for the International Agricultural Development Program. University of California, Davis. Rehmke, L.J., M.L. Heidt, D.J. Albano, M.A. Watkins, G.F. Simmons, and J.D. Hansen. 1998. 1998 survey of Washington packing house cherries for quarantine arthropods. Abstracts Proc. Wash. St. Hort. Assoc. 94: 224.
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| Courses Taught : | Biogeography, Advanced Biogeography, Physical Geography, International Agricultural Development, and World Regional Geography. |
