I am a PhD student in the Bedinger lab and I am interested in interspecific reproductive barriers (IRBs) which preserve species identity by preventing interspecific hybridization, an essential facet of the biological species concept. In the tomato clade there are 13 closely related species possessing diverse mating systems (SC/SI) and complex IRBs. I’m assessing pollen-pistil interaction and postmating barriers among the 13 species. Also, I’m examining the different stages of IRBs including pre-mating prezygotic barriers (flower morphology), post-mating prezygotic barriers (pollen-pistil interaction), and postzygotic barriers (fruit/seed development) among sympatric species and allopatric species to look for evidence of reinforcement (e.g., increased reproductive isolation) in sympatry vs. allopatry.