Contact details

• Location: 5.09, SciD
  Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science - University of Illinois (1995)
• Doctor of Philosophy - University of Texas Austin (2002)

Fellowships and Memberships

• Member, The Linnean Society of London (Fellow) (2009)

Certifications and Registrations

• Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Interests

Our lab works broadly in the area of plant evolutionary biology. Below are brief descriptions of some of our current projects.

Genomic consequences of polyploidy in plants

Polyploidy, or whole genome doubling, has been a significant evolutionary force in flowering plant history. We are studying different aspects of polyploidy using native New Zealand plant groups as well as the model polyploid system of Tragopogon (Asteraceae). Our aims are to understand the formation of polyploids and the genomic consequences of polyploidization in different plant lineages. In particular, we are studying polyploid diversification in relation to genome downsizing in native New Zealand plant species (e.g., Asplenium, Azorella, Libertia). This project is funded by the Marsden Fund (2018-2020) and is in collaboration with Bill Lee (Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research), Heidi Meudt and Patrick Brownsey (Te Papa Tongarewa, The Museum of New Zealand), Dirk Albach (Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg), and Andrew Tanentzap (University of Cambridge).

Another major avenue of polyploidy research aims to address the potential conflict that arises in new polyploids between the duplicated nuclear genomes and the haploid maternally inherited organellar genomes (mitochondria and plastid). Successful interaction between the nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes is necessary to facilitate essential functions of growth and development (e.g., respiration and photosynthesis). This project was recently funded by the Marsden Fund (2019-2021) and is in collaboration with Murray Cox (Massey), Dan Sloan (Colorado State University), and Doug and Pam Soltis (University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History). We will soon be recruiting two PhD students to work with us on this project. 

Phylogenetic systematics of Malvaceae

Malvaceae is a large angiosperm family that includes economically important species such as cotton and Hibiscus. We are working on generic level phylogenies for different groups in tribe Malveae, which is the largest in subfamily Malvoideae, as well as tribe Hibisceae. Our focal genera are those from Australia and New Zealand (Asterotrichion, Gynatrix, Hoheria, Lawrencia, Plagianthus, and Hibiscus) and South America (Acaulimalva, Nototriche, and Tarasa). We are using molecular phylogenetic approaches to understand species relationships, biogeography, and character evolution within these groups, as well as using these phylogenetic frameworks to revise taxonomy when needed.

Evolution and conservation of native New Zealand flora

The New Zealand flora is incredibly diverse and unique with a high proportion of endemic species. Many of these species are endangered or threatened because of historical loss of native habitat. In collaboration with Vaughan Symonds (Massey) and Alastair Robertson (Massey), we are studying the population and conservation genetics of these native plant groups. Some of our focal genera include Dactylanthus(Mystropetalaceae), Fuchsia (Onagraceae), Korthalsella (Viscaceae), Myosotis (Boraginaceae), Selliera (Goodeniaceae), and Sophora (Fabaceae). Most of these projects have been conducted by MSc and PhD students.

Thematics

Resource Development and Management

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Biological Sciences (060000): Epigenetics (incl. Genome Methylation and Epigenomics) (060404): Evolutionary Biology (060300): Genetics (060400): Host-Parasite Interactions (060307): Phylogeny and Comparative Analysis (060309): Plant Biology (060700): Plant Systematics and Taxonomy (060310)

Keywords

Phylogenetic systematics

Polyploidy

Genome evolution

Taxonomy

Completed Projects

Teaching Statement

120.101 (Biology of Plants)

120.303 (Plant Biodiversity)

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

• Jeff Waki - Doctor of Philosophy
  Investigating the distribution and conservation of sweet potato crop diversity and its vulnerability to climate change in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
• Sophie Newmarch - Doctor of Philosophy
  Origin and diversification of Libertia (Iridaceae)

Co-supervisor of:

• Simon Semese - Doctor of Philosophy
  Characterisation of traditional kumara (Ipomaea batatas) and taewa (Solanum tuberosum) in Aotearoa (New Zealand) as an insurance policy for food security

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

• 2025 - Usama Mukhtar - Doctor of Philosophy
  Reciprocally formed Tragopogon allopolyploids and their diploid parents - a comparative study
• 2024 - Wenliang Xu - Doctor of Philosophy
  Modification of MTT colorimetric bacterial assays and investigation of antibacterial compounds from selected Myrtaceae plants
• 2023 - Weixuan Ning - Doctor of Philosophy
  Phylogenomics and Evolution of Polyploid Azorella (Apiaceae) in New Zealand
• 2023 - Sidra Hussain - Doctor of Philosophy
  Evolution of Cytonuclear Coordination in Tragopogon (Asteraceae) Allopolyploids
• 2020 - Oiwodu Ehoche - Doctor of Philosophy
  Assessing the Potential of Genomic Selection to Improve Yield and Persistence in White Clover
• view more...
• 2014 - Tina Sehrish - Doctor of Philosophy
  Polyploid Genome Evolution
• view less...

Co-supervisor of:

• 2024 - Ling Hu - Doctor of Philosophy
  Rhododendron taxonomy and diversity of ex situ collections for conservation: (subsection) Maddenia species as a case study
• 2021 - Sofie Pearson - Doctor of Philosophy
  Detection of loci associated with water-soluble carbohydrate accumulation and environmental adaptation in white clover (Trifolium repens L.)
• 2019 - Kay Pilkington - Doctor of Philosophy
  The genetic architecture of the divaricate growth form: A QTL mapping approach in Sophora (Fabaceae)
• 2017 - Jessica Prebble - Doctor of Philosophy
  Species delimitation and the population genetics of rare plants: A case study using the New Zealand native pygmy forget-me-not group (Myosotis; Boraginaceae)
• 2014 - Amir Sultan - Doctor of Philosophy
  Systematics, Biology and Ecology of New Zealand's Pygmy Mistletoes (Korthalsella : Viscaceae)

Other Links

• Lab webpage - Tate lab webpage