About
A primary mission of the University of Florida Seed Biology lab, created by UF Department of Environmental Horticulture Professor Héctor Pérez, is to advance the conservation and restoration of wild species. This is achieved by working at the intersection of seed biology and plant conservation. Projects range from field-based to laboratory investigations where the team asks questions related to how a changing climate influences plant regeneration from seeds, what enables seeds of wild species to tolerate various types of abiotic stress (e.g., desiccation, salinity, temperature, aging), and why does seed quality vary so much in seeds of wild species. The lab strives to translate research findings for the benefit of rare plant conservation.
Professor Pérez's work in native plant conservation dates back to the 1990s with an internship at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden. Later he earned a MS degree from the University of Florida working on understanding seed dormancy mechanisms of endangered plants native to Florida. Héctor earned his PhD from the University in Hawaii working on the seed biology of endemic loulu palms (Pritchardia spp.). During that time he developed strong partnerships with Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden, the US Army Natural Resources Division on Oahu, and the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Héctor created the UF Seed Biology lab as an assistant professor upon arriving at the University of Florida.
