Laura Merwin

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Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

Media profile

Mediterranean ecosystems comprise less than 5% of the earth's surface, yet they have been classified as ecological ‘hotspots’ due to high levels of species diversity – they contain almost 20% of all vascular plant species on the planet.

Laura Merwin is currently completing a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biology, at Pepperdine University in California. Laura has won a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission to undertake 12 months research at Curtin University in Western Australia.

Laura will be examining plants in drought and fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystems that have evolved unique life-history types to ensure survival in harsh conditions.

“Coastal Southern California and southwestern Australia are two of only five Mediterranean ecosystems worldwide and are characterized by long hot summers, short wet winters, prolonged drought, and periodic wildfire,” explains Laura. “In addition, they share a similar vegetation type known in California as chaparral and in Australia as kwongan.”

“I propose to use microsatellite DNA analysis to explore the relationship between genetic variation – both within and between populations – and life history type in southwestern Australia. Studies such as these are necessary to create viable conservation policies in the face of climate change and habitat fragmentation.”

Laura will work closely with Professor Byron Lamont and Dr TianHua He of Curtin University in Perth and Dr. Siegy Krauss of Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Professor Lamont's research lab is currently focusing on genetic diversity and dispersal patterns of both non-sprouting and resprouting species in southwestern Australia. “The study I propose is closely related to their area of interest,” explains Laura. “In addition to elucidating genetic patterns in the kwongan, the proposed study would allow comparison with results obtained in California.”

Habitat fragmentation is a concern in Australia as it is in Southern California. Increased understanding of the genetic variability of these biological hotspots is crucial to creating realistic conservation policies, especially as scientists world-wide seek to understand and predict the results of global climate change.

During her studies Laura has been recognised as a National Merit Scholar (2004-2008) and a Regent's Scholar at Pepperdine University (2004-2008). She has also undertaken research on an NSF Fellowship, Summer Undergraduate Research in Biology. Recently she presented her research at the West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference at Point Loma University and was named the Outstanding Graduate in the Natural Science Division at Pepperdine.

Laura will follow in the footsteps of her father who was a Fulbright Postgraduate scholar to the United Kingdom in 1978.