Dr. Penny joined the Biology Department at Aquinas College in 2016. Her primary research
interests are the evolution of sexual dimorphism in plants and the evolution of pollen
grain morphology in response to shifts between wind and insect pollination. Dr. Penny
is also interested in service learning, sustainability, and innovative teaching strategies.
Dr. Penny teaches courses related to Evolution, Botany, and Ecology as well as courses
in the introductory series. Outside of work, Dr. Penny is an avid yogi and a dog owner.
Recent Publications
Humphrey, R. P. “Sterile stamens do not enhance seed set in females of the cryptically
dioecious Thalictrum macrostylum (Ranunculaceae).” Accepted. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society
Humphrey, R. P. 2016 “Pollen heteromorphism is pervasive in Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae).” 302(8):1171–1177. Plant Systematics and Evolution. DOI: 10.1007/s00606-016-1312-8
Penny, R. H. 2014 “Sexual dimorphism in cryptically dioecious Thalictrum macrostylum.” International Journal of Plant Sciences. 175: 794-802.
Recent Presentations
Humphrey, Rebecca P. and A. Ossip-Klein. May 19, 2016. Selection imposed by pollination
mode may influence evolution of pollen morphology. Virginia Academy of Science Conference,
May 18-19, 2016, Fredericksburg, VA.
