This project studies Antarctic fossil plants from the Beardmore Glacier area to understand seed plant evolution and paleoclimate in the Permian to Early Jurassic periods. These samples are unique in the exquisite preservation of cells and tissues, and may lead to new insights into the origin and evolution of both existing and extinct plants. As well, these fossil plants were adapted to a warmer, more CO2 rich world of the period, and may help predict how plants will evolve in the future. The broader impacts of this work include mentoring plans for women graduate students; outreach to students at all levels through public paleobotany workshops at the Kansas University Museum; and training of preservice K12 teachers.
