she/her/hers

Visiting Assistant Professor

Organismal Biology & Ecology

https://www.roxanehdoesscience.com

Research Interests

My research investigates the effects of climate warming on plant-pollinator interactions and plant reproductive success in the Alaskan Arctic. My students and I study various aspects of plant reproductive ecology in the tundra including life history and breeding systems, phenology, floral rewards, and pollination. Addressing these fundamental concepts allows me to test further questions such as: (1) How does disturbance affect plant-pollinator networks, and what are the implications for plant diversity and ecosystem resilience? (2) Do we see evidence for trophic mismatch between plants and their pollinators in a warming climate? Although my research currently takes place in the Arctic, I was trained as a tropical plant ecologist, working in the Brazilian Amazon and south Florida pine rocklands. I also have research experience in the Colorado Rockies.

Activities & Interests

Dancing, hiking, tele skiing

Publications

Khorsand, R., Sancier-Barbosa, F., May, J.F., Høye, T.T, and Oberbauer, S.F. In review. The effects of experimental warming on plant-pollinator interactions and floral rewards in the Low Arctic. Arctic Science.

Khorsand, R. and Awolaja, F. 2020. Pollination and breeding system of Thermopsis divaricarpa (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae) in the southern Rockies. Western North American Naturalist.

Koptur, S. and Khorsand, R. 2018. Pollination ecology of three sympatric palms of southern Florida pine rocklands. Natural Areas Journal 38: 15-25.

Khorsand Rosa, R., Oberbauer, S.F., Starr, G. Parker LaPuma, I., Pop, E., Ahlquist, L., and Baldwin, T. 2015. Plant phenological responses to a long-term experimental extension of growing season and soil warming in tussock tundra of Alaska. Global Change Biology 21: 4520-4532.

Khorsand Rosa, R., Imbrozio Barbosa, R., and Koptur, S. 2014. Which factors explain reproductive output of Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) in forest and savanna habitats of northern Amazonia? International Journal of Plant Sciences 175(3):307-318.

Khorsand Rosa, R. 2014. A review of the pollination biology of Mauritia flexuosa. Palms 58(2): 77-82.

Khorsand Rosa, R. and Koptur, S. 2013. New findings on the pollination biology of Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) in Roraima, Brazil: linking dioecy, wind, and habitat. American Journal of Botany 100(3): 613-621.

Khorsand Rosa, R., Imbrozio Barbosa, R., and Koptur, S. 2013. How do habitat and climate variation affect phenology of the Amazonian palm, Mauritia flexuosa? Journal of Tropical Ecology 29(3): 255-259.

Khorsand Rosa, R. 2011. Bees collect resin from Mauritia flexuosa in Roraima, Brazil. Palms 55(4): 200-203.

Khorsand Rosa, R. and Koptur, S. 2009. Preliminary observations and analyses of pollination in Coccothrinax argentata: do insects play a role? Palms 3(2): 75-83.

Regular Classes

BE105 - Biology of Plants

BE208 - Ecology

BE308 - Advanced Ecology

BE309/409 - Independent Research Blocks

BE440 - Advanced Ecology and Experimental Design

Feature Articles

Students Conduct Plant-Pollinator Research in Alaska

NSF Grant Sends Professor, 2 Students to Alaskan Arctic

Breaking New Ground: Professor Adapts to Teaching Biology of Plants During the Pandemic

Research Photos