Dr. Jordan Metzgar, Curator

Jordan came to VPI after working at the University of Alaska Herbarium for ten years. His research has long focused on fern systematics, including his doctoral research on the circumboreal fern genus Cryptogramma.

MORE INFO

• Jordan’s Google Scholar entry
• curriculum vitae
• 3006 Derring Hall, MC 0406, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
• 540-231-6768; metzgar@vt.edu

Dr. Khidir Hilu, Emeritus Director

Dr. Hilu’s research is focused on the molecular systematics and evolution of flowering plants and crops. His research has used DNA sequence information to understand the evolution of flowering plants (angiosperms) as well as land plants in general.  This aspect of his work includes both basal angiosperms as well as eudicots.  His research program is emphasizing the rapidly evolving plastid gene matK and the trnT-trnF region.

MORE INFO

• 2119 Derring Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
• 540-231-5407; hilukw@vt.edu

Thomas F. Wieboldt, Retired Curator

Tom’s long career at VPI focused on growing the herbarium through personal collecting all across Virginia, enhanced trading from the Southeastern U.S., and encouraging gifts from active Virginia botanists and ecologists. Tom’s interests in rare species and the flora of specialized habitats resulted in the discovery of numerous new county and state records. Groups of primary interest were Carex (Cyperaceae) and pteridophytes. In the later years, he shifted focus to bryophytes and lichens which he continues to study in retirement.

MORE INFO

• Tom’s publications
• wieboldt@vt.edu

In memoriam

John Ford, 1948-2023

John was a retired computer programmer who volunteered at VPI three days a week. He touched us with his dedication, kindness, and innate curiosity.

John’s obituary