National President for Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society.

Dr. Owen’s research experiences and interests are in the use of cell, tissue, and organ culture techniques for plant propagation, regeneration, and genetic improvement, and in the physiology of threatened, endangered, and invasive plant species.

Prior to joining the former Botany Department at EIU, Dr. Owen obtained research experiences with Agriculture Canada in New Brunswick, an international repository for living organisms in Maryland, and an industry-academic partnership between the J.M. Smucker Company and Ohio State University, all involving the use of plant tissue culture techniques.

Since 1994, he has expanded his focus to include the study of state-threatened and endangered species and exotic, invasive plant species. Currently, he co-coordinates the EIU Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Research Program (see link below). Since its inception, numerous undergraduate and graduate students have been involved in both field and laboratory research projects, have presented their results at state and national meetings, and have published their research in peer-reviewed botanical journals.

Undergraduate and graduate students interested in gaining independent study or research credits are urged to look through the following examples of former student research projects, and to contact

Dr. Owen early in their college career.
 

EIU Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Research Program

Poster Presentations and presentations at professional meetings (2000 to date):

Floral initiation and development of the Illinois endangered species, Iliamna remota, with different photoperiods. 2006

Survey of the native, endangered Kankakee Mallow, Iliamna remota, in Kankakee County, Illinois 2006

A two year analysis of the effects of stem cutting and glyphosate treatment of Lonicera maackii, an exotic, invasive species, on stem re-growth and native species richness. 2005

Influence of stem cutting and glyphosate treatment of Lonicera maackii, an exotic, invasive species, on stem re-growth and native species richness.  2004.

Comparison of Seed Production and Germination in Three Distinct Colonies of Lesquerella ludoviciana. 2003.

Influence of Light and Sucrose on In Vitro Development of Shoots in Stylisma Pickeringii var Pattersoni.  2003.

Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus): a native landscaping and wildlife habitat alternative to Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). 2002.

Lesquerella ludoviciana Germination as Affected by Season of Development, Storage, and Afterripening.2002.

Pollen Comparison From Insect Visitors to Stylisma pickeringii (Convolvulaceae), an Endangered Plant of Illinois Sand Prairies. 2002.

Germination of Lesquerella ludoviciana as Affected by Colony Location and Seed Maturity. 2001.

Germination of Lesquerella ludoviciana as Affected by Seed Age. 2001.

Grants (2000 to date)

Adaptive mechanisms of Lesquerella ludoviciana to survive marginal conditions of Illinois sand prairies. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2005. Co-P.I. with T. Over, J. Coons, and V. Gutowski. $2000.

The influence of stem cutting and glyphosate treatment of Lonicera maackii, an exotic, invasive species, on stem regrowth and native species richness. 2004. A.L. McDonnell*. Undergraduate Research Council. $250.

Impact of geological and meteorological factors on the disjunct distribution of Lesquerella ludoviciana in Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2003. Co-P.I. with T. Over, V. Gutowski, and J. Coons. $1000.

Survey of the impact of geological and meteorological factors on the distribution of Lesquerella ludoviciana in Illinois. College of Sciences Seed Grant Program. 2003. Co-P.I. with V. Gutowski and J. Coons). $1000.

Investigation of insect visits to flowers of Stylisma pickeringii. Illinois Native Plant Society. 2002. Co-P.I. with J. Coons and B. Todd*. $978.

Seedbanks and plant development of Stylisma pickeringii, an endangered plant in Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2002. Co-P.I. with J. Coons and A. Claerbout*. $1,000.

Seed vigor of Virginia Bunchflower (Melanthium virginicum) from Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2001. Co-P.I. with J. Coons. $1,000.

Reproductive biology of Silvery Bladderpod, an Illinois endangered plant. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2001. Co-P.I. with J. Coons. $1,000.

Reproductive potential of the endangered species Stylisma pickeringii. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2000. Co-P.I. with J. Coons. $1,000.

Reproductive potential in three colonies of Silvery Bladderpod (Lesquerella ludoviciana). Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2000. Co-P.I. with J. Coons. $1,000.

University Foundation Grant to Improve Undergraduate Instruction. 2000. $1,413.

A.J. Kerber*. Photoperiod impact on lateral shoot growth in Stylisma pickeringii. Undergraduate Research Council. 2000. Co-sponsored with J. Coons. $250.

B.L. Fischer*. Seed vigor and how it relates to genetic variability in Silene regia. Undergraduate Research Council. 2000. Co-sponsored with J. Coons and G. Fritz. $250.

B.L. Todd*. Scarification of Stylisma pickeringii (Patterson Bindweed). Undergraduate Research Council. 2000. Co-sponsored with J. Coons. $250.
 

Publications (2000 to date)

* = Student Author