Alumni & Development
About Charles Heiser
Charles B. Heiser joined the IU faculty in 1947 and spent his entire career here. Heiser was a leading authority on sunflowers and a renowned ethnobotanist. His interests included natural hybridization and its evolutionary significance, as well as the origin of domesticated plants and agriculture. He was also an expert on naranjillas, gourds, chili peppers, and totora.
Heiser was a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and he received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1953. He served as president of the American Society for Plant Taxonomy, the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Society for Economic Botany, and the Botanical Society of America.
Charles B. Heiser Fellowship
The Charles B. Heiser Graduate Fellowship in Plant Evolution was established in 2002. It honors Distinguished Emeritus Professor Charles Heiser, who died on June 11, 2010. The fellowship was first awarded in 2009.
Wesley Beaulieu, 2011 Heiser Fellow
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Wesley Beaulieu is earning a Ph.D. in our EEB program. He is a member of Keith Clay’s research team. Wes’ research looks at the ecological consequences of fungal endophyte symbiosis in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). He has been an associate instructor for L113, Introductory Biology Lab, B300 Vascular Plants, and B352 Fungi Lab. Wes has received grants from the Garden Club of America, Sigma Xi, and the IU Research and Teaching Preserve, as well as an Honorable Mention from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Wittaya Kaonongbua, 2010 Heiser Fellow
Wittaya Kaonongbua is a member of Jim Bever's research team. Witt's research focuses on the ecology and evolution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The fellowship is providing summer support while he works on his dissertation.
Christopher Muir, 2009 Heiser Fellow
Christopher Muir is earning his Ph.D. in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior. Chris's research involves explaining temporal and spatial patterns of species diversity. He is a member of Leonie Moyle's laboratory. Chris has been an associate instructor for Evolution, and for Evolution and Diversity.
Jennifer Richardson, 2009 Heiser Fellow
Jennifer Richardson is earning a Master's degree in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior. Her research interests are plant sciences and evolutionary biology. She is a member of Lynda Delph's laboratory. Jennifer has been an Associate Instructor for Biology of Birds, Human Anatomy, and Evolution and Diversity.