Acer VanWallendael

Teaches at New York Botanical Garden

Acer VanWallendael is a Ph.D. candidate at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY. Acer works in the Franks Lab studying the ecology and evolution of invasive Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica). He is broadly interested in the ecology and evolution of invasive plants.

Acer thinks that invasive species offer an opportunity for scientists to better understand evolution, particularly on a short time scale. He is particularly fascinated by the recent advances in understanding of epigenetics that may change our understanding of the way plants adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions.