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Jeffrey James Keeling
Graduate Student
University of Texas at El Paso
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Posted 5-19-25
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Performing DNA extractions on root samples with Zymo Plant/Seed DNA extraction
kit in preparation for PCR and other downstream analysis
For over a decade, I’ve worked at the intersection of applied ecology, botany, and environmental science in the American Southwest. My early career included designing and implementing native plant restoration projects, guiding ecological interpretive hikes, and collaborating with environmental consulting firms on rare plant surveys, post-fire vegetation assessments, and habitat evaluations across diverse desert and mountain landscapes. I’ve contributed to large-scale environmental monitoring efforts and coauthored the description of a new species of Solanum endemic to West Texas. I earned my M.S. in Biology from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, under the invaluable mentorship of Dr. James C. Zech and Dr. A. Michael Powell, where my thesis—A Vascular Flora and Floristic Analysis of the Southern Half of The Nature Conservancy Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis County, Texas—focused on regional floristics and biogeography. While at Sul Ross, I also served as a lecturer in Biology and Natural Resource Management, teaching courses including General Botany, Agrostology, Wildland Plants, Plants and People, and Horticulture. I also taught General Biology I and II for majors, covering core biological principles such as DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, evolution, and ecological systems—foundational knowledge that continues to inform my research and teaching today.
Currently, my research in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Texas at El Paso focuses on plant-microbe interactions in Arctic tundra and forest ecosystems, particularly how microbial communities associated with Eriophorum vaginatum—a foundational sedge species—respond to environmental gradients. My fieldwork takes place across a latitudinal transect in Alaska spanning the Brooks Range, where I collect root, soil, and leaf samples from populations and long-standing reciprocal transplant gardens in order to assess microbial community composition and function across ecotypes. In the lab, I use molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing (16S and ITS) to identify bacterial and fungal taxa and I am also incorporating microbial transcriptomics to assess gene expression patterns, which provides insights into the functional roles these microbes play under different climatic conditions. This work is conducted in Dr. Michael Moody’s Plant Evolution Lab and reflects an integrative approach that links plant genomic landscape, function, and environment to illuminate the role of microbial partners in foundational plant adaptation and ecosystem processes in the face of rapid Arctic climate change.
In parallel with my phytobiome research, I’m also contributing to a macrosystems ecology project with Dr. Elizabeth La Rue’s Landscape and Spatial Ecology Lab that explores structural diversity across major ecosystems using remote sensing data. I am assisting with the coding and data analysis components of this long-term study, which integrates airborne LiDAR from NEON’s Airborne Observatory Platform with new, fine-scale drone imagery to assess how vegetation structure, such as canopy layering and plant volume, varies in forests, shrublands, and grasslands. This work seeks to understand how structural diversity influences biodiversity and ecosystem function at broad spatial scales and will help refine how we monitor ecosystem health across the continent. The project’s use of emerging remote sensing technologies complements my interest in linking field-based observations with large-scale data to explore the complexity of plant communities.
At heart, I consider myself equal parts field botanist and ecological scientist. My work blends traditional botanical training, grounded in plant identification, growth form knowledge, and field-based ecosystem understanding, with next-generation molecular lab techniques, bioinformatics, and spatial ecological modeling. Whether working in deep canyons of the desert southwest or the permafrost soils of Alaska, I remain driven by the same core questions about how plants interact with their environments, and how we can use that knowledge to understand, protect, and communicate the richness of plant life. Ultimately, I aim for these questions—and the answers they uncover—to inform biodiversity conservation efforts across scales, from local habitats to continental ecosystems.
Collecting Eriophorum samples in northern Alaska for phytobiome research
How Jeffrey got interested in the botanical sciences:
My interest in botanical sciences began as an undergraduate at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, nestled in the heart of the Davis Mountains and surrounded by the vast expanse of the Chihuahuan Desert. I was captivated by the paradox of the desert landscape—seemingly harsh and barren, yet teeming with an incredible diversity of plant life adapted to survive in some of the most extreme environmental conditions. Courses in field botany and desert ecology, along with hands-on experiences in the surrounding Big Bend region, opened my eyes to the ecological complexity and evolutionary ingenuity of desert plants. I quickly realized that I wasn’t just interested in identifying plants—I was fascinated by their evolutionary history, their ecological roles, and the way they shape and are shaped by their environments.
That early exposure sparked a deep curiosity about plant-environment interactions, especially in extreme and rapidly changing habitats. Over time, my research interests evolved to focus on the ways plants interact with microbial communities, how those partnerships influence survival and adaptation, and what this can tell us about broader patterns of biodiversity and resilience. My career has grown from those formative years in the Texas desert, but the questions that first drew me in—how plants persist, diversify, and thrive under pressure—continue to guide my work today.
Guiding an interpretive hike on Mount Livermore of the Davis Mountains,
one of the most remarkable "sky island" ecosystems in the southwestern US
Jeffrey's advice for those just starting their botanical journey:
Find interest anywhere—everything becomes fascinating if you look closely enough. Some of the most meaningful and creative questions in botany don’t come from exotic places or rare species, but from everyday observations and genuine curiosity. Trust that important questions—ones that can guide your research, your purpose, and your path—are often right in front of you, waiting to be noticed. Stay curious, stay observant, and don’t underestimate the value of your own perspective.
Jeffrey's other passions:
Outside of plant science, I enjoy gardening, hiking, traveling, and spending time in nature—activities that help me recharge and stay connected to the environments I study. I also create botanical art using sustainably harvested and herbarium-style pressed plants, transforming field collections into pieces that reflect both scientific precision and aesthetic appreciation. These projects let me merge creativity with my love of native flora, and they often spark conversations about plant conservation and biodiversity. Most importantly, I value time with my family, whether we’re exploring trails together or simply being outdoors. My connection to nature through plants, landscapes, and the people I share them with has shaped both my personal life and the work I do. |
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