Melissa McCormick of

647 Contees Wharf Rd. FAX: 443-482-2380

Edgewater, MD 21037 e-mail: mccormickm@si.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in the effects of plant-fungus interactions on plant and fungal community diversity. Specifically, I am interested in using mycorrhizae to study the impact of environmental variation on plant-fungal interactions.

2003-Present Ecologist, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

2001-2003 Smithsonian-Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow, SERC and U.C. Berkeley

1999-2001 Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellow, SERC

1992-1999 Graduate Fellow, Michigan State University

GRANTS

2015-2016 US Army Garrison Fort A.P. Hill grant to D.F. Whigham and M.K. McCormick. “Support Endangered Species Management at Fort A.P. Hill, VA” ($29,200).

2015-2016 Smithsonian Biodiversity Genomics Grant to M.K. McCormick and D.F. Whigham “Transforming understanding of mycorrhizae by obtaining genomic DNA from underrepresented fungal taxa” ($32,684).

2014-2020 West Virginia Dept. of Transportation grant to D.F. Whigham and M.K. McCormick. “Monitoring and research on West Virginia populations of Isotria medeoloides” ($199,122).

2014-2018 NSF grant to L. Deegan et al. “Collaborative Research: Ecosystem Evolution and Sustainability of Nutrient Enriched Coastal Saltmarshes” ($1,500,000).

2014-2015 US Army Garrison Fort A.P. Hill grant to D.F. Whigham and M.K. McCormick. “Support Endangered Species Management at Fort A.P. Hill, VA” ($36,317).

2013-2014 Smithsonian Competitive Grant to M.K. McCormick and D.F. Whigham “Endobacteria in orchid mycorrhizal fungi: a critical component in an ideal study system” ($57,989).

2013-2014 Smithsonian Challenge Grant (level 1) to S. Brady et al. “Capturing Genomes for Biodiversity Research: Workshop” ($20,000).

2013-2014 Smithsonian Challenge Grant (level 2) to J Parker et al. “BiodiversiTREE@ the Smithsonian Institution” ($100,000).

2013-2014 George Washington University – Smithsonian Institution Opportunity Fund Research Grant to A. Zanne, S. McMahon, M. McCormick. “Biotic carbon turnover: fungal influences on wood decay through space and time” ($49,973).

2012-2013 Smithsonian Challenge Grant (level 1) to C. Gilmour et al. “Smithsonian Critical Zone Observatories” ($20,000)

2012-2014 Maryland SeaGrant to J.P. Megonigal, T.R. Mozdzer, M.K. McCormick. “Phragmites australis invasion in the Chesapeake Bay: Implications of nitrogen pollution, elevated CO₂ and genotypic variation for tidal marsh management” ($240,120 + $40,000 graduate fellow).

2012-2013 Smithsonian Challenge Grant (level 2) to D.F. Whigham et al. “North American Orchid Conservation Center” ($60,000).

2011-2012 Smithsonian Challenge Grant (level 1) to J Parker et al. “BioDiversiTREE @ the Smithsonian Institution” ($20,000).

2010-2011 Smithsonian Challenge Grant to C. France et al. “Smithsonian Climate Research Symposium” ($15,000).

2010-2011 Smithsonian Challenge Grant (level 1) to D.F. Whigham et al. “North American Orchid Conservation Center” ($20,000).

2010-2011 Smithsonian Challenge Grant to S. Brady et al. “Next generation sequencing: enabling transformative technology for biodiversity research and collections” ($70,000).

2010-2013 National Park Service grant to P. Peterson, D.F. Whigham, and M.K. McCormick. “Restore the federally threatened Small-whorled Pogonia in Three NPS Regions” ($121,027).

2009-2014 NOAA grant to T.E. Jordan et al. “Predicting impacts of stressors at the land-water interface” ($4,798,022).

2009-2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant to V. Negron-Ortiz and M.K. McCormick. “Examining the role of mycorrhizal associations of Torreya taxifolia in preventing its decline” ($22,422).

2008-2012 NSF grant to T.R. Filley, C. Johnston, M.K. McCormick, K. Szlavecz. “Collaborative Research: Investigating the soil-earthworm-litter system controls on the stabilization of soil organic matter in eastern deciduous forests” (EAR-0748442, $672,000).

2007-2011 USDA grant to M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham, K. Szlavecz, R. Pouyat. “The indirect effects of invasive earthworms on tree seedling recruitment in deciduous forests” (2007-35320-18375, $287,509).

2007-2010 National Park Service grant to P. Peterson, D.F. Whigham, M.K. McCormick. "Identify orchid-fungi relationships for Isotria medeoloides” ($30,000).

2003-2007 NSF grant to D.F. Whigham, M.K. McCormick, T.F. Filley, and D.L. Taylor: “Orchid-fungal interactions; a system for testing hypotheses about the ecological role and distribution of mycorrhizal fungi in affecting plant distribution” (DEB-0316523, $500,000).

2003-2004 Frank Bertrum Sherry Endowment grant to D.F. Whigham, M.K. McCormick, and D.L. Taylor: “Development of molecular techniques to evaluate mycorrhizal communities in forest ecosystems” ($30,000).

1996-1998 NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant to K.L. Gross and M.K. McCormick: "Spatially Autocorrelated Environmental Heterogeneity: Within-Population Effects in Danthonia spicata"($9500).

Smithsonian-Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2001-2003.

Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1999-2001.

College of Natural Science Continuing Fellowship, M.S.U., 1998.

Research Training Grant, Graduate Fellowship, Kellogg Biological Station, 1993-1997.

Phi Kappa Phi, Michigan State University, 1993.

College of Natural Science Doctoral Recruiting Fellowship, M.S.U., 1992-1993.

Honorable Mention, NSF Predoctoral Fellowship, 1992.

Graduation, Cum Laude, Trinity University, 1992.

National Merit Scholar, Trinity University, 1988-1992.

Presidential Scholar, Trinity University, 1988-1992.

TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPERIENCE

Mentor

3 Graduate Students, 2010-2011, 2012-2014, 2012-current.

30 undergraduate interns, SERC, 1999-2014.

REU student (R.A. Smith), KBS, 1997.

Teaching mentor for undergraduate teaching assistant, MSU, 1993.

Instructor

Conservation Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Spring 2014

Field Plant Systematics, KBS, Summer 1998, 1999.

Summer Science Institute for high school students, KBS, Summer 1997.

Introductory Biology laboratory, MSU, Fall 1992, Spring 1993.

Teaching Assistant

Field Plant Systematics, KBS, Summer 1994.

Cellular and Molecular Biology, Trinity University, Spring 1992.

Ecology, Evolution, and the Diversity of Life, Trinity University, Fall 1991.

(Note that IF refers to the 2014 ISI JCR journal impact factor and citations are those listed in ISI as of 2/2015. * denotes an undergraduate intern authors. Under IF, ‘nl’ indicates the journal is not listed and – indicates the article is not yet available in print and so is not yet available for citation tracking in ISI. In some cases where a journal is unlisted in ISI, citations from Google Scholar are provided, indicated by ^g).

Sciance, M.B.*, C.J. Patrick, D.E. Weller, M.N. Williams, M.K. McCormick, E.L.G. Hazelton. In press. Local and regional disturbances associated with the invasion of Chesapeake Bay marshes by the common reed Phragmites australis. Biological Invasions. (IF=2.6, citations–)

Paudel, S., T. Longcore, B. MacDonald, M.K. McCormick, K. Szlavecz, G.W.T. Wilson, S.R. Loss. In press. Belowground interactions with aboveground consequences: Invasive earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Ecology. (IF=4.7, citations –)

Hazelton, E.L.G., M.K. McCormick, M. Sievers, K.M. Kettenring, D.F. Whigham. 2015. Stand age is associated with clonal diversity, but not vigor, community structure, or insect herbivory in Chesapeake Bay Phragmites australis. Wetlands 35: 877-888. (IF=1.6, citations 0)

Kowalski, K.P., C. Bacon, W. Bickford, H. Braun, K. Clay, M. Leduc-Lapierre, E. Lillard, M.K. McCormick, E. Nelson, M. Torres, J. White, D.A. Wilcox. 2015. Advancing the science of microbial symbiosis to support invasive species management: A case study on Phragmites in the Great Lakes. Frontiers in Microbiology 6: article 95. (IF=3.9, citations 0)

McCormick, M.K., H. Jacquemyn. 2014. What constrains the distribution of orchid populations? New Phytologist 202: 392–400. (IF=6.5, citations 13)

Whigham, D.F., McCormick, M.K. O'Neill, J.P. 2014. Ongoing studies of Isotria medeoloides, Small Whorled Pogonia. Native Orchid Conference Journal, 11: 6-11.

Ma, Y., T.R. Filley, K. Szlavecz, M.K. McCormick. 2013. Controls on wood and leaf litter incorporation into soil fractions in forests at different successional stages. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 58: 56-68. (IF=4.4, citations 2)

Krupnick, G.A., M.K. McCormick, T. Mirenda, and D.F. Whigham. 2013. The status and future of orchid conservation in North America. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 99: 180-198 (IF=0.5, citations 2)

Ma, Y., T.R. Filley, C.T. Johnston, S.E. Crow, K. Szlavecz, M.K. McCormick. 2013. The combined controls of land use legacy and earthworm activity on soil organic matter chemistry and particle association during afforestation. Organic Geochemistry 58: 56-68. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2013.02.010 (IF=2.8, citations 3)

McCormick, M.K., K.L. Parker*, K. Szlavecz, D.F. Whigham. 2013. Native and exotic earthworms affect orchid seed loss. AOB Plants. DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plt018 (IF=2.3, citations 2)

Szlavecz K., S.L. Pitz, M.J. Bernard, L. Xia, J.P. O’Neill, C.-H. Chang, M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham. 2013. Manipulating earthworm abundance using electroshocking in deciduous forests. Pedobiologia 56: 33– 40. (IF=1.7, citations 1)

Meyerson, L.A., C. Lambertini, M.K. McCormick and D.F. Whigham. 2012. Hybridization of common reed in North America? The answer is blowing in the wind. AoB Plants pls022; doi:10.1093/aobpla/pls022. (IF=1.7, citations 11)

McCormick, M.K., D.L. Taylor, K. Juhaszova*, R.K. Burnett*, D.F. Whigham J.P. O’Neill. 2012. Limitations on orchid recruitment: not a simple picture. Molecular Ecology 21: 1511–1523. (IF=5.8, citations 29)

McCormick, M.K. 2012. Research advances and conservation of small-whorled pogonia. Native Orchid Conference Journal 9: 31-34.

Kettenring, K., M.K. McCormick, H.M. Baron*, D.F. Whigham. 2011. Mechanisms of Phragmites australis invasion: feedbacks among genetic diversity, nutrients, and sexual reproduction. Journal of Applied Ecology 48, 1305–1313. (IF=4.7, citations 27)

Innis, A.F., I.N. Forseth, D.F. Whigham, M.K. McCormick. 2011. Genetic diversity in the invasive Rubus phoenicolasius as compared to the native Rubus argutus using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Biological Invasions 13: 1735–1738. (IF=2.7, citations 4)

Shefferson, R.P., M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham, J.P. O’Neill. 2011. Life history strategy in herbaceous perennials: inferring demographic patterns from the aboveground dynamics of a primarily subterranean, myco-heterotrophic orchid. Oikos, 120: 1291–1300. (IF=3.6, citations 6)

Szlavecz, K., M. McCormick, L. Xia, J. Saunders*, T. Morcol*, D. Whigham, T. Filley. 2011. Ecosystem effects of non-native earthworms in Mid-Atlantic deciduous forests. Biological Invasions 13:1165-1182. (IF=2.7, citations 10)

Whigham, D.F., K.M. Kettenring, M.K. McCormick, H. Baron. 2010. The invasion of common reed (Phragmites australis) in Chesapeake Bay, US. Australasian Plant Conservation 18: 17-18. (IF=nl, citations nl)

Shefferson, R.P., C.C. Cowden, M.K. McCormick, T. Yukawa, Y. Ogura-Tsujita, T. Hashimoto. 2010. Evolution of host breadth in broad interactions: mycorrhizal specificity in East Asian and North American rattlesnake plantains (Goodyera spp.) and their fungal hosts. Molecular Ecology 19: 3008–3017. (IF=5.8, citations 23)

Kettenring, K.M., M.K. McCormick, H.M. Baron*, and D.F. Whigham. 2010. Variation in seed viability, genetic diversity, and foliar nutrients of non-native Phragmites australis in the Rhode River, a subestuary of the Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries and Coasts 33:118–126. (IF=2.2, citations 23)

Crow, S.E., T.R. Filley, M.K. McCormick, K. Szlavecz, D.E. Stott, D. Gamblin, G. Conyers. 2009. Earthworms, stand age, and species composition interact to influence particulate organic matter chemistry during forest succession. Biogeochemistry 92: 61-82 (IF=3.5, citations 20)

Øien, D.-I., J.P. O’Neill, D.F. Whigham, M.K. McCormick. 2008. Germination ecology of the boreal alpine terrestrial orchid Dactylorhiza lapponica (Orchidaceae). Annals Botanici Fennici 45: 161-171. (IF=0.7, citations 16)

Whigham, D.F., M.K. McCormick, J.P. O’Neill. 2008. Specialized Strategies II – Epiphytes, orchids, insectivores, and parasites. In: Leck, M.A., T.V. Parker and R.L. Simpson. Seedling Ecology and Evolution. Academic Press. (IF=nl, citations nl)

Filley, T.R., M.K. McCormick, S.E. Crow, K. Szlavecz, D.F. Whigham, D.L. Taylor, C.T. Johnston, R. van den Heuvel*. 2008. Comparison of the chemical alteration trajectory of Liriodendron tulipifera litter among forests with different invasive earthworm activity. JGR Biogeosciences 113: G01027. (IF=3.4, citations 20)

Taylor, D.L., M.K. McCormick. 2008. A suite of PCR methods for improved identification of orchid mycorrhizal fungi. New Phytologist 177: 1020-1033. (IF=6.5, citations 87)

Shefferson, R.P., D.L. Taylor, M. Weiß, S. Garnica, M.K. McCormick, S. Adams, H.M. Gray, J.W. McFarland, T. Kull, K. Tali, T. Yukawa, T. Kawahara, K. Miyoshi, and Y.-I. Lee. 2007. The evolutionary history of mycorrhizal specificity among lady’s slipper orchids. Evolution 61(6): 1380-1390. (IF=4.7, citations 65)

McCormick, M.K., D.F. Whigham, D. Sloan*, K. O’Malley*, B. Hodkinson*. 2006. Orchid-fungus fidelity: a marriage meant to last? Ecology 87(4): 903-911. (IF=5.0, citations 69)

Whigham, D.F., J.P. O’Neill, H.N. Rasmussen, B.A. Caldwell, M.K. McCormick. 2006. Seed longevity in terrestrial orchids-potential for in situ seed banks. Conservation Biology 129: 24-30. (IF=4.3, citations 44)

Whigham, D.F., J. O’Neill, M.K. McCormick, C. Smith, H.R. Rasmussen, B. Caldwell, T. Daniell. 2002. Interactions between decomposing wood, mycorrhizas, and terrestrial orchid seeds and protocorms. In P. Kindlmann, J.H. Willems, and D.F. Whigham, eds. Underlying mechanisms of trends and fluctuations in terrestrial orchid populations. SPB Academic Publishers, The Hague, The Netherlands, pp 117-132. (IF=nl, citations 17^g)

Mozdzer, T.J., M. McCormick, C. Bauer, J. Bowen & L. Deegan. 2015. Long-term nitrogen fertilization reduces Spartina alterniflora genetic diversity, altering ecosystem stability. Coastal and Estuarine Research Foundation, Portland, OR.

McCormick, M., T. Mozdzer, C. Bauer, J. Bowen, L. Deegan. 2015. Loss of Spartina alterniflora genetic diversity associated with marsh bank fragmentation after long-term fertilization. Ecological Society of America, Baltimore, MD.

McCormick, M.K., T.J. Mozdzer, I. Slette, R.N. Hager, J.S. Caplan, J.P. Megonigal. 2015. Genetic response of Phragmites to multiple global change factors. Society of Wetland Scientists, Providence, RI.

Mozdzer, T.J., M.K. McCormick, & J.P. Megonigal. 2015. Effects of elevated CO₂ and nitrogen pollution on Phragmites australis invasion in a Chesapeake Bay brackish marsh. Society of Wetland Scientists, Providence, RI.

Brooks, H. M. McCormick, D. Whigham. 2015. Dispersal distance of the common reed (Phragmites australis) in Chesapeake Bay subestuaries. Society of Wetland Scientists, Providence, RI.

Whigham, D., E. Hazelton, M. McCormick, K. Kettenring. 2014. A landscape-scale approach to management of a major invasive species, Phragmites australis, in Chesapeake Bay tidal wetlands. Restore America’s Estuaries, Washington, DC.

McCormick, M.K., W. Hauser, D.F. Whigham. 2014. Effects of bacteria within fungal hyphae on the function of orchid mycorrhizae. Mycological Society of America Annual Meeting, East Lansing, MI.

Hazelton, E.L., K.M. Kettenring, L.K. McFarland, M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham. 2014. Phragmites removal results in a novel state that does not resemble native wetland plant communities. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Portland, OR.

Hager, R.N. M.K. McCormick, I. Slette, J.P. Megonigal, T.J. Mozdzer. 2014. Rapid changes in genotype frequency by an invasive species in response to elevated CO₂ and nitrogen. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Portland, OR.

Mozdzer T.J., M.K. McCormick, T.P. Megonigal. 2013. Effects of elevated CO₂ and nitrogen on Phragmites australis invasion in a Chesapeake Bay brackish marsh. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Hazelton E.L.G, K.M. Kettenring, M.K. McCormick, E. McFarland, T. Jordan, D.F. Whigham. 2013. The role of land use in recovery from Phragmites removal. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

McCormick, M.K., D.F. Whigham, R. Rock-Blake. 2013. Applying orchid research to conservation: The North American Orchid Conservation Center. International Orchid Workshop, Rende, Italy.

Mozdzer T.J., J.A. Langley, M.K. McCormick, J.P. Megonigal. 2012. Effects of multiple interacting global change factors on temperate tidal marsh sustainability. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Meeting, Mar del Plata, Argentina.

McCormick M.K., Whigham D.F., O’Neill J.P. 2012. Conservation of Isotria medeoloides, a tale of dormancy and fungi. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.

Kettenring K.M., E.L.G. Hazelton, S. Gallagher, H.M. Baron, M.K. McCormick, M. Sievers, D.F. Whigham. 2012. Phragmites australis invasion into disturbances in Chesapeake Bay tidal wetlands: Dispersal, colonization, fitness, and restoration. Society of Wetland Scientists / INTECOL, Orlando, FL.

Whigham D., K. Kettenring, M. McCormick, H. Baron, E. Hazelton, M. Sievers, A. Baldwin, and D. Wardrop. 2011. The spread of Phragmites australis in Chesapeake Bay – is it the perfect storm? Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation, Daytona Beech, FL.

Kettenring K.M., M.K. McCormick, K.E. Mock, D.F. Whigham. 2011. The role of sexual reproduction in the spread of non-native Phragmites in North America. Phragmites Canada Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.

Hazelton, E.L.G., K.M. Kettenring, M. McCormick, M. Sievers, and D. Whigham. 2011. Large Scale Phragmites Removal in the Chesapeake Bay: Ongoing research on the role of land use and genetic diversity on marsh recovery. Phragmites Canada Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.

Szlavecz K., M.K. McCormick, L. Xia, S.L. Pitz, J. O’Neill, M.J. Bernard, C.-H. Chang, D.F. Whigham. 2011. Combined effects of earthworms and forest age on below- and aboveground processes in the Mid-Atlantic region. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Austin, TX, August 8-13.

Bernard M.J., K. Szlavecz, C.-H. Chang, L. Xia, S. Pitz, M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham, J. O’Neill. 2011. Effectiveness of electroshocking and subsurface barriers when manipulating earthworm populations. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Austin, TX, August 8-13.

Chang C.-H., M.J. Bernard, K. Szlavecz, N. Bray, M.K. McCormick, L. Xia, S.L. Pitz, D.F. Whigham. 2011. The effects of forest age, earthworm abundance, and leaf litter types on mesofauna and soil properties in Mid-Atlantic deciduous forests Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Austin, TX, August 8-13.

Meyerson, L.A., M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham. 2011. Reproduction, Clonal Diversity, Hybridization, and Patch Dynamics of Phragmites australis in North America. Society for Wetland Scientists Annual meeting in Prague, Czech Republic.

McCormick, M.K., K. Szlavecz, B. Nieto, D.F. Whigham. 2011. Alteration of microbial communities by invasive earthworms. Presented as part of an organized symposium at the Annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America in St. Louis MO.

McCormick, M.K., D.F. Whigham, J.P. O’Neill. 2011. Conservation of Isotria medeoloides, a tale of dormancy and fungi. 4^th International Orchid Conservation Congress, Hluboká, Czech Republic.

Szlavecz, K., M.K. McCormick, L. Xia, D.F. Whigham. 2010. Direct and indirect effects of earthworms on mycorrhizal fungi. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Pittsburgh, PA.

Ma, Y., Filley, T., Johnston, C., Szlavecz, K., and McCormick, M. 2010. Soil-Earthworm-Litter System Controls on the Soil Aggregates and Soil Organic Matter Dynamics in Eastern Deciduous Forests. Presented at the General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, Vienna, Austria.

McCormick, M.K., K. Szlavecz, B. Nieto, L. Xia, D. Whigham 2010. Effects of non-native earthworms on mycorrhizal fungi and tree seedling growth. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America in Providence, RI.

Good, K.L., M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham. 2010. Increased myco-heterotrophy and nutrient-dependence under stress in the native orchid, Goodyera pubescens. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America in Providence, RI.

McCormick, M.K., K. Szlavecz, L. Xia, D.F. Whigham. 2010. Direct and indirect effects of earthworms on tree seedlings. Presented at the Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting in Denver, CO.

Smith, Z.F., M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham. 2010. Functional diversity of Platanthera orchid mycorrhizas. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America in Fredricksburg, VA.

Ma, Y., Filley, T., Johnston, C., Szlavecz, K., and McCormick M. 2009. Earthworm - Land Use History Controls on Soil ¹⁵N and ¹³C Natural Abundance in Eastern Deciduous Forests. Presented at the Fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union.

Szlavecz, K., M. McCormick, Lijun Xia, D. Whigham, T. Filley, C. Csuzdi. 2009. Non-indigenous earthworms, soil carbon cycling and tree seedling growth in mid-Atlantic deciduous forests, USA. Presented at the World Conference on Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Functions in Porto, Portugal October 27-30, 2009.

Szlavecz, K., M.K. McCormick, L. Xia, D.F. Whigham, C. Csuzdi. 2009. Non-indigenous earthworms, soil carbon cycling and tree seedling growth in mid-Atlantic deciduous forests, USA. Presented at the World Conference on Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Functioning, Porto, Portugal.

Shefferson, R.P., M.K. McCormick, J.P. O’Neill, and D.F. Whigham. 2009. Life history evolutionary ecology in myco-heterotrophs: survival and vegetative dormancy in Corallorhiza odontorhiza. Presented at the Annual meeting of the British Ecological Society, Hertfordshire, UK.

Szlavecz, K., M.K. McCormick, L. Xia, and D.F. Whigham. 2009. Direct and indirect effects of earthworms on mycorrhizal fungi. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Kettenring, K.M., D.F. Whigham, M.K. McCormick, H.M. Baron, S.K. Gallagher, A.H. Baldwin. 2009. Mechanisms of Phragmites invasion in the Chesapeake Bay: Disentangling the importance of land-use, disturbances, nutrients, genetic diversity, and viable seed production. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Kettenring, K.M., M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham. 2009. A feedback mechanism for the spread of the invasive plant Phragmites australis – increased local genetic diversity and cross pollination can drive viable seed production. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America in Snowbird, Utah.

McCormick, M.K., T. Morcol, J. Saunders, K. Szlavecz, and D.F. Whigham. 2009. Direct and indirect effects of non-native earthworms on mycorrhizal fungi. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America in Snowbird, Utah.

Wardrop, D.H., K.M. Kettenring, M.K. McCormick, M.M. Easterling, J. Peterson-Smith, D.F. Whigham. 2009. Writing a New Story of Phragmites Invasion: Historical Land Cover Analysis and Population Studies in Three Chesapeake Bay Subestuaries. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists in Madison, Wisconsin.

McCormick, M.K., K. Szlavecz, K.L. Parker, T.R. Filley, D.F. Whigham. 2008. Direct and indirect effects of abundant non-native earthworms on Goodyera pubescens (Orchidaceae). Presented at the Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

McCormick, M.K., K. Szlavecz, L. Xia, R.V. Pouyat, D.F. Whigham. 2008. The indirect effects of invasive earthworms on tree seedling recruitment in deciduous forests. Presented at the Annual USDA Project Director’s Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Kettenring, K., M.K. McCormick, H.M. Baron, A.H. Baldwin, D.F. Whigham. 2008. The potential for seed-driven invasion of Phragmites australis in developed vs. forested watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

McCormick, M.K., K. Kettenring, H.M. Baron, D.F. Whigham. 2008. Watershed land-use, viable seed production, and genetic diversity of non-native Phragmites australis in Chesapeake Bay subestuaries. Presented at the annual meeting of the Atlantic Estuarine Research Society in Lewes, Delaware.

McCormick, M.K., K. Szlavecz, K. Parker, T.R. Filley, D.F. Whigham. 2007. Effects of abundant non-native earthworms on native plant and soil dynamics. Presented at the annual meeting of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study.

Burnett, R., M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham, D.L. Taylor. 2007. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America in Chicago, Illinois.

Crow, S.E., T. Filley, G. Conyers, D. Stott, M. McCormick, D. Whigham, D.L. Taylor. 2006. Potential rapid effects on soil organic matter characteristics and chemistry following a change in dominant litter inputs. Presented at the Annual meeting of American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, California.

Filley, T., S.E. Crow, D. Gamblin, M. McCormick, D. Whigham, D.L. Taylor, K. Szlavecz. 2006. Molecular assessment of litter decay dynamics across old and young forest sites. Presented at the Annual meeting of American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, California.

Filley, T.R., M.K. McCormick, D.F. Whigham, and D.L. Taylor. 2006. Links between litter microbial activity and the resultant biopolymer chemistry of litter among forest floors of different age. Presented at the international meeting of the Soil Science Society of America in Indianapolis, Indiana.

McCormick, M.K., D.F Whigham, D.L. Taylor, J.P. O’Neill, J. Becker, and S. Werner. 2006. Abundance of Corallorhiza odontorhiza (Orchidaceae) within an established population reflects abundance of ectomycorrhizal root tips and fungal community composition. Presented at the 5^th International Conference on Mycorrhizas in Granada, Spain.

McCormick, M.K., R. van den Heuvel, D.F. Whigham, T. Filley, C. Edwards, and K. Juhaszova. 2005. Soil fungal communities in successional and mature deciduous forests in Maryland: heterogeneity and implications for an ecological understanding of mycorrhizal interactions. Presented at the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Montreal, Canada.

McCormick, M.K., D.F. Whigham, J.P. O’Neill, and S. Pimm. 2004. Fungal associations in eastern North American Platanthera spp. Presented at the symposium New Perspectives on the Systematics and Ecology of Orchids in Toulouse, France.

McCormick, M.K. 2002. How are fungal associates of Goodyera pubescens distributed in the field? Presented at the annual meeting of Western Mycologists at Blodgett Biological Station, California.

McCormick, M.K., D. Sloan, K.L. O’Malley, D.F. Whigham, and J.P. O’Neill. 2002. Orchid mycorrhizal diversity and tolerance of spatial and temporal habitat variation. Presented at the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Tucson, AZ.

McCormick, M.K., D.F. Whigham, J.P. O’Neill, and D. Sloan. 2001. Diversity and species distribution in orchid-fungal symbioses. Presented at the Third International Conference On Mycorrhizas in Adelaide, Australia.

Batra, P., G. Ponciroli, K.L. Gross, S.H. Gage, M. Colunga-Garcia, C. Baker, T. Bergsma, B. Fox, J. Gage, G. Golod, M. McCormick, G. Pederson, K. Sherfinski, K. Tindall. 2001. Biocollections: Documenting common plants and insects on the LTER. Presented at the KBS LTER Symposium in Agricultural Ecology in East Lansing, Michigan.

McCormick, M.K., D.F. Whigham, J.P. O’Neill, and K.L. O’Malley. 2000. Specificity and species distribution in orchid-fungal symbiosis. Presented at the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Snowbird, Utah.

INVITED TALKS

2015 It takes botanic gardens to grow our native orchids. American Public Gardens Association, Austin, TX.

2014 Distribution of orchid populations, a matter of fungi? Czech Academy of Sciences, Trebon, Czech Republic.

2014 Do fungi determine the distribution of orchid populations? University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.

2014 Why our native orchids are so difficult to grow. Millersville Native Plant Society, Millerville, PA.

2013 Distribution of orchid populations, a matter of fungi? New Phytologist Symposium, Rende, Italy.

2013 Picky partners: Why our native orchids grow where they do. Public lecture at the Illinois Orchid Society, Chicago, IL

2013 Anthropogenic impacts and spread of Phragmites australis, Science seminar, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, MD

2013 The North American Orchid Conservation Center: Why Our Native Orchids Need a Different Approach, Smithsonian Gardens In-Service training lecture, Washington, DC.

2012 Research advances and conservation of Small-whorled Pogonia. Native Orchid Conference, Wilmington, NC.

2012 Native orchids – complex species that require a central focus for conservation. Native Orchid Conference, Wilmington, NC.

2012 Picky Partners: Why Our Native Orchids Grow Where They Do. Public lecture in association with the annual orchid show at the United States Botanic Garden, Washington, DC.

2012 North American Orchid Conservation Center - a focus for orchid conservation and restoration. Mid-America Orchid Conference. Indianapolis, IN.

2012 The role of symbioses in affecting plant distribution: The case for orchid mycorrhizae. University of Maryland.

2012 Why our native orchids grow where they do: The secret is under our feet. Torrey Botanical Society invited lecture. New York Botanical Garden.

2012 Orchids and their fungi-what do we know and what do we need to know. Philadelphia Botanical Club.

2011 Earthworms and Orchids: A Connection You’d Never Suspect. Public lecture at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.

2011 Invaders under your feet: effects of non-native earthworms in the forest. Salisbury University.

2011 Orchids and their fungi-what do we know and what do we need to know. Native Orchid Conference, Mt. Cuba, Delaware.

2011 Climate change effects on mycorrhizal associations in the terrestrial orchid Goodyera pubescens. Smithsonian Climate Change Symposium.

2011 The role of symbioses in affecting plant distribution: the case for orchid mycorrhizae. Florida International University.

2011 Effects of non-native earthworms on mycorrhizal fungi and tree seedling growth. Invited talk at the US Fish and Wildlife’s Northeast Region Biologists Conference.

2010 The role of symbioses in affecting plant distribution: Orchid mycorrhizae. University of Georgia.

2010 Beneath your feet and above your head: invasive earthworms. College of Notre Dame.

2010 Effects of non-native earthworms on soil microbes and tree seedling growth. Invited Keynote address. Delaware Invasive Species Council.

2010 Land use and establishment of Phragmites australis from seed: implications for management. Severn Riverkeepers Association.

2009 Global change in a symbiotic world. College of Notre Dame.

2009 The plant-fungal connection: Mycorrhizae in a changing world. Towson University.

2008 Effects of abundant non-native earthworms on native plants. University of Delaware.

2008 Effects of abundant non-native earthworms on native plant and soil dynamics. University of Virginia.

2006 Where in the soil are the fungi orchids need? Johns Hopkins University.

2006 Where's the fungus?: a critical ingredient for orchid recruitment. University of Puerto Rico.

2005 Conservation in a world of interacting species. Invited address to the βββ honor society. Trinity University.

2005 What’s an orchid to do when its fungus goes astray? Trinity University.

2005 Cheating, eating, and changing partners in an orchid-fungal symbiosis. SERC.

2005 Cheating, eating, and changing partners in an orchid-fungal symbiosis. Salisbury University.

2004 Orchid-fungal fidelity: a marriage meant to last? Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.

2004 Our native orchids: more than just a pretty face. Wintergreen Nature Foundation.

2003 Orchids and fungi – New and not so widely known information about terrestrial orchids. Wintergreen Nature Foundation.

2002 Orchid-fungal interactions. University of Georgia.

2001 Specialization in orchid-fungal symbioses. USDA, Beltsville, MD.

2001 Specialization in orchid-fungal symbioses. University of California, Berkeley.

2000 Specialization and species distribution in orchid-fungal symbioses. University of Georgia.

Invited workshop presentation

2010 Presented an invited talk and participated in a workshop: Charting a Course for Effective, Efficient, and Sustainable Management of Invasive Phragmites australis in the Northeastern U.S. 2010. Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD. February 23-24.

Over the past 10 years I have reviewed >60 papers for American Journal of Botany, AOB Plants, Australian Journal of Botany, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, Caribbean Journal of Science, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, International Journal of Plant Sciences, Invasion Biology, Journal of Ecology, Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, Molecular Ecology, Mycologia, Mycorrhiza, New Phytologist, Plant Species Biology, PLoS ONE, PNAS, Oecologia, Oikos, Vegetatio.

I was named a “Top Reviewer for Molecular Ecology 2015”.

Additionally, I serve as an associate editor for Folia Geobotanica (2012-present).

National Science Foundation (Panelist, Reviewer)

United States Department of Agriculture (Panelist)

National Geographic Society (Reviewer)

BiodivERsA (European Cooperative proposals on Invasive Species, Reviewer)

Professional Societies

Botanical Society of America

Mycological Society of America

Ecological Society of America

International Mycorrhiza Society

Committees and Service

Board member: Middle Patuxent Environmental Foundation, Chair of Floristics Subcommittee, 2012-present.

Smithsonian Laboratory of Analytical Biology Advisory Committee, 2011-present

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Professional Accomplishments and Evaluation Committee, 2011.

Botanical Society of America, Chair, Mycological Section, 2009-present.

Mycological Society of America, Mentor Travel Awards Committee, 2010-present.

SERC Biodiversi-Tree Committee, November 2010-present.

SERC Science Committee, January 2007-present.

Smithsonian Endowment and Scholarly Studies Review Committee November 2009.

Smithsonian Encyclopedia of Life Postdoctoral Fellowhip Review Committee.

SERC Science Writer Search Committee 2009.

Smithsonian Molecular Evolution Fellowship Committee, member, reviewer, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2013.

SERC Ad Hoc Committee on Career Paths in Science, member, March 2004-August 2005.

Leadership

Co-organizer: Global Genome Initiative Capturing Genomes Workshop, April, 2013.

Organizer: Symposium on Incorporating Microbes into Plant Community Ecology, Botanical Society of America annual meeting, July, 2011.

Co-organizer: Symposium on Phragmites australis – a European and North American Comparison, Society for Wetland Scientists annual meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, July 2011.

Co-organizer: SI Climate Change Symposium, April 2011.

Co-organizer: Symposium on Next Generation Sequencing: Transformative Technology for Biodiversity Science, April 2011.

Provided a presentation and addressed questions on Phragmites australis – Common Reed for the Chesapeake Bay Program, Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting Team meeting, December 2015.

Provided text, information, research documentation, and images highlighting the Smithsonian’s orchid conservation research for the 2015 Smithsonian-National Botanical Garden Annual Orchid Show “Orchid Mystique” For display February-June 2015.

Provided images, documentation, a video, and layout ideas to illustrate orchid mycorrhizal research and the North American Orchid Conservation Center for the 2012 Smithsonian-National Botanical Garden Annual Orchid Show “Orchid Mystique” For display February-June 2012.

Provided interviews, ideas, and content editing for two videos (“Endangered Orchid” http://ecosystemsontheedge.org/endangered-orchid/ and “Earthworm Invaders” http://ecosystemsontheedge.org/earthworm-invaders/) and associated educational material in the Ecosystems on the Edge educational video series. 2011-2013.

Presented SI orchid research at Endangered Species Day at the US Botanic Garden. 5/20/2011.

Provided images and documentation to illustrate orchid mycorrhizal research for the 2011 Smithsonian-National Botanical Garden Annual Orchid Show “Orchids- a View From the East” For display February-April 2011.

Presented an invited talk to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Region 5 Biologists conference. Effects of non-native earthworms on tree seedling growth, 2/17/2011.

Conducted a media briefing on plant conservation at the Smithsonian. 12/9/2010.

Presented an invited keynote address to the Delaware Invasive Species Council annual meeting. Effects of non-native earthworms on soil microbes and tree seedling growth, 10/2010.

Presented an invited talk on “Land use and establishment of Phragmites australis from seed: implications for management” to the Severn Riverkeepers Association, 8/2010.

Provided images and documentation to illustrate orchid mycorrhizal fungi for the 2010 Smithsonian-National Botanical Garden Annual Orchid Show “Orchids- a Cultural Odyssey” For display February-April 2010.

Consulted with and provided material to an illustrator from the Chicago Botanic Garden, Kathleen Garness, for development of images illustrating the orchid mycorrhizal association for an exhibits at the Morton Arboretum and Peggy Norbaert Nature Museum in Chicago. January 2010-present.

Presented research on the endangered orchid Isotria medeoloides to the National Park Service NCR Natural Resources Advisory Team, 2009.

Presenter 2009 Spring Wildflower Symposium, The Wintergreen Nature Foundation, Wintergreen, VA. Gave an informational talk and led two informational botanical walks.

Advisor for plant-fungus interactions and soil fungal communities for the Smithsonian exhibit “Dig It: The Secrets of Soil” displayed July 2008-January 2010.

Developed an orchid-fungus component for the Smithsonian-National Botanical Garden Annual Orchid Show "Orchids: Take a Walk on the Wild Side" displayed December 2006-April 2007.

Wrote an article about recent paper on orchid fungal specificity in New Phytologist for Smithsonian Spotlight on Science, 2004.

Presenter 2004 Spring Wildflower Symposium, The Wintergreen Nature Foundation, Wintergreen, VA. Gave two informational talks and led a informational botanical walk.

Media Attention

Smithsonian Aims to Save Rare Orchid. May 2015. 60 NBC, ABC, CBS stations nationwide. Story on orchid conservation research. http://www.kitv.com/politics/smithsonian-aims-to-save-rare-orchid/33294788.

Bacteria Grow In Mycorrhiza. September 2014. The Orchid Review. Article on endobacterial research blog posting. https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/publications/magazines/The-Orchid-Review (note that 2014 issues are not yet available online).

Abundant Mycorrhiza Benefits Orchids. June 2012. The Orchid Review. Article on Molecular Ecology paper. http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/Journals/The-Orchid-Review#2012-issues.

Picky Eaters Club. April 2012. Scientific American. Article on Molecular Ecology paper. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=picky-eaters-club#comments.

Where to Find Fungi to Fuel Orchids. January 26, 2012 ScienceShot. Science Magazine. Article on Molecular Ecology paper. http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/01/scienceshot-where-to-find-fungi.html?ref=hp.

The Smartest Plants in the World. January 4, 2012. The Environment Focus with Tom Pelton. National Public Radio. Article on orchid-fungus interaction research. http://www.wypr.org/stationprogram/environment-focus-tom-pelton.

The Mysterious Disappearing Orchid. May 17, 2011. National Public Radio. Article on research into the population dynamics and fungal dependence of the threatened orchid Isotria medeoloides. http://wamu.org/programs/mc/11/05/13.php#42908.

Rare Plants on Display at US Botanic Garden. July 21, 2011. Voice of America. Video on Endangered Species Day presentations at the U.S. Botanic Garden. http://community.myvoa.com/_dmekouar-has-added-Rare-Plants-on-Display-at-US-Botanic-Garden-/video/1609841/45137.html

Battling invasive Phragmites with scientific research. May 8, 2010. The Capital newspaper. Article on research findings about mechanisms by which the invasive wetland grass, Phragmites, is spreading in Chesapeake Bay.

State’s little known natives. March 9, 2008. The Capital newspaper. Article on upcoming orchid workshop and orchid research in the Plant Ecology Lab.

2011-current (PhD, committee member) Jason Downing, Florida International University

2011-current (PhD, committee member) Amy Milo, George Washington University

2014 (PhD, outside examiner) Tamara Tesitelova, Univesity of South Bohemia, CZ

2012-2013 (PhD fellow, mentor) Yini Ma, Purdue University

2011-2013 (masters thesis mentor) Rachel Rock-Blake, University of Connecticut

2009- 2011 Zoë Smith Melbourne University, Australia

2013-current Carla Rosenfeld Pennsylvania State University, PA

References

Dr. Katherine L. Gross

Director and University Distinguished Professor

W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

Michigan State University
3700 East Gull Lake Drive
Hickory Corners, MI 49060

Phone (cell) 269-370-2015

Email grossk@kbs.msu.edu

Dr. Dennis F. Whigham

Senior Botanist

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

PO Box 28

647 Contees Wharf Rd.

Edgewater, MD 21037

Phone 443-482-2226

Email whighamd@si.edu

Dr. Hong Liu

Conservation Ecologist, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and

Assistant Professor

Email hliu@fiu.edu

Assistant Professor