The internal cellular anatomy of wood has a fossil record extending back to the origin of the flowering plants, and beyond. Dr. Elisabeth Wheeler is a leading expert on the fossil record of wood anatomy, and she has been instrumental in assembling an international effort to construct a database of wood characteristics. Dr. Wheeler has requested a Career Advancement Award to allow her to gain the statistical and computing skills necessary to begin critical exploration of this data resource. Patterns of evolutionary and functional relationships will be established through this analysis, thereby clarifying the factors behind the diversity of wood structures found alive today. Dr. Wheeler is uniquely qualified to lead both the expansion and the analysis of the proposed database of wood anatomy. The proposed career advancement activities will provide her with a realistic opportunity of expand and accelerate this research program.
