Pat and the Fern Frondlers

My blogs

Gender	Female
Industry	Government
Occupation	Botanical Specialist
Location	Knoxville, TN, United States
Introduction	I am a botanist for a government agency, a mother of 3 and Nana of 4 girls. I grew up in Alexandria, LA and received my B.S.; M.S degrees at then NLU now ULM in Monroe, where I learned so much from Dr. Dale Thomas. I earned my PhD at LSU studing the systematics of the genus Rudbeckia. I started working at the Univ of TN in 1990, first as a lecturer then on to becoming the Core Coordinator for the Biology Program. AFter 13 years, I switched over to the "light" and began the phase of my life as a botanist for TVA. I am still involved in many academic societies and most recently finshed my stint as the first 2 year president of the Association of SE Biologists. I've been active with the All TAxa Biodiversity inventory in the Smokies and one on the program committee for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies. I'm called a plant geek, tree hugger, science nerd....and Proud of it !!
Interests	Botanizing, photography, hiking, FERNS, grandchildren, gardening, and cooking
Favorite Movies	I love Harry Potter. I still cry when I watch White Christmas, the Sound of Music, and Casablanca.