Alicia Foxx

PhD Student

Graduate Program in Plant Biology and Conservation Northwestern University and Chicago Botanic Garden

Research interests: Plant coexistence, Intraspecific variation, Phenotypic plasticity, root biology, restoration ecology

Email: aliciafoxx2014@u.northwestern.edu

Current Research

One of the central issues facing plant community restoration in the Western United States is how to select plant material for successful establishment of native plants.

Plant restoration in the west is plagued by several issues including drought that leads to mortality; habitat disturbance that harms native plants; and competition from invasive species like cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) which forms dense lawns and promote wild fires.

Specimen in lab setting

To assess ecological aspects of species used in restoration, my dissertation uses greenhouse and growth chamber settings to address how plant root characteristics differ based on the population that a plant comes from. Also, how competition and population source impacts plant characteristics like the shape of the root system, and how the intensity of root competition compares to shoot competition. I have also explored how plastic responses from competition between native and invasive species future competitive dynamics with plants of the same species.

The results of these studies can help inform native plant material selection from a belowground trait perspective.

Specimen in lab setting

Publications:

Peer Reviewed

Foxx, A., Barak, B., Lichtenberger, T, Richardson, L., Rodgers, and Williams, E. 2019. Evaluating the prevalence and quality of Conference Codes of Conduct. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2019/07/02/1819409116

Hintz L., Eshleman M., Foxx A., Wood, T., and Kramer A. 2016. Population Differentiation in Early Life History Traits of Cleome lutea var. lutea in the Intermountain West. Western North American Naturalist 76(1): 6-17.

Technical Summaries

Foxx, Alicia; Kramer, Andrea T. 2015. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Cleome lutea Hook. Seeds Chicago Botanic Garden - Research Glencoe, Illinois. In: Native Plant Network. URL: http://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2017/11/09). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

Alicia presenting a poster at a conferece

Conference Presentations:

2018	Exploring the role of plastic responses in competitive intensity and coexistence; Ecological Society of America
2017	Competitive intensity among and between seedlings: what do the roots tell? National Native Seed Conference, Washington, D.C., USA.
2016	Impact of intraspecific variation in root traits of a perennial grass on competitive outcomes. Black Graduate Student Association Conference. Chicago IL, USA.
2015	Does number of lateral roots in Elymus elymoides populations vary and influence competitive outcomes with cheatgrass? National Native Seed Conference, Santa Fe, NM, USA.
2014	Intraspecific variation in Elymus elymoides root traits and its influence on competitive outcomes; Botanical Society of America Conference. Boise, ID, USA.
	Variation in Intraspecific Root Traits of Elymus elymoides & Implications for water stress tolerance and competition; Colorado Plateau Native Plant Program. Rio Mesa, UT, USA.
2012	The Impact of Weed Competition - Preliminary Studies. Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area Symposium. Elmhurst, Illinois.

Mentoring:

2018	Lake Forest College Internship mentor, (Anissa Loyola)
2018	High school science fair project mentor (Raymond Diaz)
2017	NSF REU mentor (Brooke Allen; North Central College)
	College First program, Chicago Botanic Garden high school mentor (Giovanie Lanzo)
2016	Mentor Matching Engine. “Water pollution & plants” (Breanna Giametta)
	Mentor Matching Engine. “Effect of ‘Mars’ Soil on Earth Crops” (Elise Miedlar)
2015	Lake Forest College Internship mentor (Siobhan Wojcik)
	Y.O.U. Summer Science Club mentor
	Science Club mentor
2014	NSF REU mentor, (Giselle Varrientos; University of Wisconsin, Platville)
	NSF REU co-mentor, (Lisa Hintz; The Evergreen College)
	Mentor to grade school student volunteer (Grace Guarraia)
2013	Lake Forest College Internship mentor (Osja Brinson)

Community Service & Volunteer service:

2017 & 2019	The Night Ministry toiletry kit project for homeless LGBTQ+ youth
2019	Native plant garden at McManus (Northwestern University)
2018	Evanston Scholars panel participant on graduate school
	Purple Pantry food distribution volunteer for low income students
	Science Festival activity lead on molecules
2017	Session moderator at the National Native Seed Conference; Washington, DC
2016	Stellar Girl Program Presentation to young girls on research
	Invasive plant removal service project volunteer
	STEAM designed and executed art x science activities for students
	Volunteer tree removal, Somme Woods, Cook County Forest Preserve
2013 & 2015	Invited outreach speaker at Elmhurst College
2015	Science Fair Judge; McCutcheon Elementary School
	Seed cleaning volunteer, LaBagh Woods Forest Preserve, Cook County, IL
	Invited outreach speaker at Elmhurst College
2014	Firewise: Botany in Action brush removal, Idaho Botanic Garden
	New Life for Old Bags service project plastic bags to beds for homeless
2013	World Environment Day seed and invasive species demonstration

Commendations, Fellowships, & Grants:

2013; 2018; 2019	Grad Housing Assistant Excellence Award; Northwestern Residence Life
2018	Plant Biology and Conservation Travel Award
2018	Elmhurst College American Dream Fellowship; Honorary Fellowship
2017	Plant Biology and Conservation Research Award
2016	Black Graduate Student Association’s 19^th Annual Conference. Second place award for best poster
2014-19	Plant Biology and Conservation Fellowship
2014	Plant Biology and Conservation Travel Award
	Plant Biology and Conservation Research Award
2012-13	Robert D. Hevey and Constance M. Filling Fellowship
2012	Inaugural James F. Berry Biology Chairperson’s Award; Elmhurst College