My primary research interests are centered in plant ecophysiology or the relationship between structure and function of plants and the environment.  Over the past 15 years or so, I have been interested in the comparative eco-physiology of dimorphic leaf types of Acacia koa, an Hawaiian tree species.  As a sapling, Koa possesses bipinnate leaves.  As the tree grows these are replaced by phyllodes which are sickle shaped "leaves" derived from vertical expansion of the petiole and non-development of the leaflets.  It appears that the juvenile leaves promote rapid early growth while the phyllodes provide drought tolerance abilities.
    Recently, I and my students have begun to explore comparative ecophysiology of three important and conspicuous hardwoods of the Puget Sound Region, Big Leaf maple, Red alder and Black cottonwood. .  There appear to be some differences in the abilities of each species to resupply water to leaves, and these differences correlate to differences in distribution relative to water availability.  Big Leaf Maple is much better at maintaining high water potentials in the face of high photosynthetic and transpiration rates allowing them to grow in areas that are drier than either Red alder or Black cottonwood.
    Another interest has been the identification of the materials of manufacture of ancient Egyptian artifacts.  Working with archaeologist Don Ryan, we have determined that both Papyrus and Halfa grass were important plants used in Egyptian cordage.  We found little use of Date palm, which is now used extensively.
    I am also active in the Northwest Scientific Association.  It is a regional society, which publishes the journal, Northwest Science, and puts on an annual meeting, providing an outlet for scientific presentations by faculty, students, agency personel and others from throughout the Pacific Northwest (including Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Idaho and Western Montana) and beyond.