PEOPLE

BECKY BARAK, CONSERVATION SCIENTIST
Becky is an Assistant Conservation Scientist at Chicago Botanic Garden and Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University in the Program in Plant Biology and Conservation. Becky studies seed biology and biodiversity in restored tallgrass prairies, and how decisions are made for restoration, particularly for seed mix design.

TIANY HERNANDEZ, MS STUDENT
Tiany is studying germination requirements of the lesser purple fringed orchid (Platanthera psycodes) with the goal of facilitating the conservation of this charismatic species, and it's woodland habitat.

RORY SCHIAFO, PHD STUDENT
Rory is a first year PhD student interested in plant community ecology, management, land-use, and restoration. While working in the Barak lab, she will be asking plant community ecology questions within the context of restoration, and using ecological theory to help guide restoration science. Rory is interested in studying how plant communities assemble and change along land-use history and management gradients.