Austin MAST

I am a Professor in the Department of Biological Science at Florida State University where I also serve as Director of the Institute for Digital Information and Scientific Communication and as Director of the Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium.  I am particularly interested in (1) the interplay of ecology and evolution that determines the form and function of plant life on Earth, (2) the use of biodiversity research specimens and digital information about them to bring that interplay into sharper focus, and (3) public engagement in the research to further science and STEM literacy goals.  I am a prior board chair of the Citizen Science Association (now the Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences) and current board member of the Citizen Science Global Partnership.