Louisiana State University Department of Biological Sciences
DowellResearch Group

Chemical 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.

Explore our research
Do plants have something to say? An illustrated overview of plant chemical communication, leaf traits, and interactions with insects and fungi.
Do plants have something to say? View the full illustration ↗

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.

Members of the Dowell Research Group with the LSU tiger statue

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 team

Publications

Selected work

All publications

From the lab

Latest news

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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.

Explore our photo album →
A group selfie taken during fieldwork.
The field crew, June 2025.
A researcher wearing gloves tending potted sunflower plants.
Working with sunflowers in the greenhouse, October 2025.
Students and mentors smiling together at Discover Day.
Supporting our undergraduate researchers, April 2026.
Lab members smiling around a table with food and gifts.
A December gathering around the table, 2025.

Join the lab

Curious about chemical ecology?

Start a conversation about research opportunities and collaboration.

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