Dowell01 / Research theme
Macroevolution of plant chemodiversity
Across species and evolutionary lineages, we connect leaf chemistry, nutrition, and physiology to understand the evolution of growth and defense.
Explore themeChemical ecology · Comparative biochemistry
The chemistry of life's interactions.
We study how chemical diversity evolves—and how it shapes the relationships between plants, fungi, and their environments.
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Our research
Understanding diversity.
Connecting scales.
Based at Louisiana State University, our group brings together chemical ecology, comparative biochemistry, and evolutionary biology. We connect molecules to traits and species interactions, from individual cells to landscapes.
02 / Research theme
Plant ecophysiology & chemical diversity
Within and among populations, we ask how genetic variation and the environment shape plant chemistry, physiology, and growth–defense trade-offs.
Explore theme03 / Research theme
Chemical defenses & pathogens
We study how genetic variation helps fungal pathogens navigate the diverse chemical defenses of their plant hosts.
Explore theme04 / Research theme
Fungal ecophysiology & quantitative genetics
We link genetic diversity to pathogen traits across scales, combining fungal ecophysiology, quantitative genetics, and phylogenomics.
Explore theme
The people behind the science
Different perspectives.
Shared curiosity.
Meet the researchers exploring plant function, fungal diversity, and the chemical interactions that connect them.
Meet our teamPublications
Selected work
Featured paper · 2026
Strategy sets the scene: genetic architecture of linalool resistance in Botrytis cinerea
How do fungal pathogens tolerate plant chemical defenses? Across 83 Botrytis cinerea isolates, we found diverse physiological and structural responses to linalool. Genome-wide association analyses identified 98 candidate genes, with stronger genetic associations for fungal morphology than for physiological traits.
Explore the paper & graphical abstract →Graphical abstract: Madrigal et al. (2026), G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics · CC BY 4.0
From the lab
Latest news
Celebrating October birthdays
A little cake and time together to celebrate our October birthdays.
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The lab and LSU colleagues at ISCE 2026
Dowell lab members join LSU colleagues at the International Society of Chemical Ecology meeting at Cornell University.
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Natalie Roberts wins first place at Discover Day
Natalie’s STEM poster explores how plant-derived terpenes influence the growth of Botrytis cinerea.
Read more →Life in the lab
Good science.
Good company.
Field days, greenhouse experiments, poster sessions, and a little time to celebrate. A glimpse of the people and everyday moments behind our research.
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