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Dr Katharina Nargar

Team Leader

https://people.csiro.au/N/K/Katharina-Nargar

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Biography

I am a molecular systematist and evolutionary biologist with a research focus on tropical plant biodiversity. My research interests lie in understanding the diversification of species-rich tropical plant groups in time and space, and the underlying factors that shaped today’s diversity. I am using molecular tools such as high throughput DNA sequencing to elucidate evolutionary relationships, trait evolution and biogeographical range evolution.

Since 2010 I worked at the Australian Tropical Herbarium where I lead the orchid research program. My current phylogenomic research projects employ genomic approaches to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and the spatio-temporal evolution of Australia’s major orchid lineages, in particular the highly diverse orchid tribe Diurideae (the Donkey, Spider, Leek orchids), subtribe Pterostylidinae (the Greenhood orchid alliance), and the two epiphytic plant mega genera Dendrobium and Bulbophyllum. A greater understanding of these orchid groups is key for the establishment of a more stable and widely accepted taxonomic classification for Australasian orchids. My conservation genomic research assesses taxonomic delimitation and genomic diversity in rare and threatened Australian orchids.

Achievements and Awards

  • 2017-2018

    Women in Science Career Award
    CSIRO, Digital National Facilities and Collections

Professional Areas

Current Roles

  • Senior Research Scientist
    Plant Systematics and Evolution

  • Lead, Orchid Research Program, Australian Tropical Herbarium
    Orchid Systematics and Evolution

Academic Qualifications

  • 2007

    Dr. phil. nat.
    Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany

  • 2000

    Diploma in Biology (equiv. to British Masters degeree)
    Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany

Other highlights

  • 2021-current

    President, Australasian Systematic Botany Society

Grants

  • 2022-2025

    CSIRO Future Science Platforms (Environomics): Harnessing the versatility of target capture in natural resource management. Lead-PI

  • 2019-2012

    CSIRO Future Science Platforms (Environomics): Accelerating discovery: a collection genomics pipeline for high-throughput target enrichment. Co-PI

  • 2018-2022

    Australian Biological Resources Study: Integrating phylogenomics and taxonomy – resolving the complex evolution of the donkey orchids (Diuris) for the Flora of Australia. JI

  • 2018-2021

    Australian Orchid Foundation: Australasian orchid diversification in space and time: elucidating the floristic interchange between Australia and New Caledonia in a phylogenomic framework. Lead-PI

  • 2017-2019

    CSIRO Future Science Platforms (Environomics): High-througput collection genomics. Co-PI, Lead-PI ANH

  • 2016-2018

    Australian Biological Resources Study: Next-generation systematics for Australia’s challenging taxa: unravelling phylogeny, evolution and species delimitation in the sun orchids (Thelymitra, Orchidaceae)

  • 2014-2016

    Bioplatforms Australia: Framework DNA barcode datasets for Australia: CITES dataset. Co-PI

  • 2011-2015

    Australian Biological Resources Study: Re-evaluation of taxonomic concepts in Australian Orchidaceae utilizing phylogenies based on DNA barcodes and highly informative nuclear markers. Lead-PI

  • 2011-2014

    National Environomental Research Program: What is at risk? Identifying rainforest refugia and hotspots of plant genetic diversity in the Wet Tropics and Cape York Peninsula. Co-PI

  • 2009-2012

    German Science Foundation (DFG): Systematics and phylogeny of Fosterella (Bromeliaceae): a model case for the evolution of local endemism in the Andes. Co-PI

  • 2016-2017

    Office of Environment and Heritage NSW: Caladenia hybrid zone: Conservation genomics for threatened Caladenia species. Lead-PI

  • 2015-2016

    Centre for Biodiversity Analysis: An exome capture system for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies in the hyperdiverse orchid tribe Diurideae (Orchidoideae). Lead-PI

  • 2015-2018

    Australian Biological Resources Study: Next-generation tassel-fern systematics: species delimitation in the Phlegmariurus phlegmaria complex (Lycopodiaceae). JI

  • 2014-2016

    The Australia and Pacific Science Foundation: A next-generation framework phylogeny for Diurideae (Orchidaceae). Lead-PI

  • 2013-2014

    James Cook University: Next-generation sequencing capability. Co-PI

  • 2008-2011

    German Science Foundation (DFG): Cenozoic evolution of Bromeliaceae: character evolution and climate change. JI

Community and Corporate Citizenship

  • 2022-ongoing

    Chair, Consultative Committee, National Collections and Marine Infrastructure (NCMI)

Publications

We have publications by Dr Katharina Nargar