Current Research on Orchid Biology
 

I'm looking to get started studying orchids at my university but am wondering if anyone here knows what's currently of interest in the research community? Thanks!

Here's some recent and interesting research... Scientists explore new concepts of plant behavior, interactions... which links to here... Using Ideas from Behavioural Ecology to Understand Plants

It's fascinating to think of plants "behaving" and making decisions. It kinda ties into what I posted in this thread... Self Fertile Orchid. To self... or not to self.

In the thread I posted about orchid seeds germinating on my tree... I linked to this article... Plants and fungi play the 'underground market'. To trade... or not to trade.

I'd love to know which orchid seeds are exceptional and I wish there was a lot more research into improving the cold/drought tolerance of epiphytic orchids.

At what level? BSc, MSc, PhD?
For BSc and MSc, if you have an orchid research program at your university, then the Prof will set the rough direction of research. E.g., pop-gen, evo-devo, ecophysiology, etc.
For PhD: read, think. Figuring out what your project will be, is a huge part of a PhD. And it has to match your talents.

Last but not least, what do you want to get out of it? What sort of jobs do you want to get? Are your goals realistic? What about plan B, C, and D? and how does that project help you getting there?

You may get much better idea by talking to fellow students and faculty, than posting on this board.

UC Davis has a spatiotemporal pollination lab under Professor Ramirez. researchid Euglossa bees and Gongora, Coryanthes, and Stanhopea genomes and chemical indicators.

I reached out to him and he may be takin students later for a PhD.

I am going to be the second in asking what level are we talking? Undergrad or grad? Advisers guide you in some Masters programs but others leave you to determine your research project. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you are not a PhD student.

If I may, I would suggest you think about what interests you. If you are not passionate or at least very interested about your research you are less likely to succeed.

Are you interested in horticultural aspects? Ecological and evnvironmental? Phenotypic plasticity? Epigenetics and genetics? Interactions with other organisms? Local species of orchids or tropical?

Are there any species that interest you in particular?

That said, genetics and epigenetics are pretty hot right now across a wide range of topics. Studies that focus on those areas tend to get funding more easily than say ecology based studies. That shouldn't be your sole determining factor, just something to think about.

I would suggest using your school's journal archives to look at some of the research for the past 5-10 years. Sometimes you can get ideas on research topics doing this. You can also try: Google Scholar

If your idea of fun is sitting for hours looking at a computer screen, pick DNA studies. If you want real fun, pick something that requires field work.

I'm guessing that you're in high school or perhaps a lower-class undergrad. You need to sign off from here and get busy searching peer-reviewed, scholarly articles. The information you seek is there for a very modest expenditure of energy.

Nothing fun about staring at a computer screen doing statistical analysis after spending 6+ hours in the field.

Field work is pretty great though, I'll give you that :biggrin:

The best is to tag along with your professor friends and be driver + support staff.

I think this is one of the best things said here, of course research, always research.. but get to know possible advisors and work towards something you love.

I love pollinator network and that is what I'm looking in to.
you might not like the same thing, so get to know the labs before you apply or you will waste their time and yours.