Biography
Before joining the Oberlin faculty, Roger Lauschman was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories. Between completing master’s and doctoral programs, he worked for two years as an ecologist for the Nature Conservancy.
Laushman’s research interests are in population genetics and ecology, with particular emphasis on invasive species. He collaborates with Angela Roles and numerous research students on both projects. In addition to fieldwork, they use molecular, morphological, and cytogenetic methods to study native and invasive rose and crayfish populations.
He also is interested in the population genetics of polyploid plant species, which includes two of the rose species in the current project.
His research has been funded by Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, the Ohio Native Plant Society, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Oberlin College, and the Hughes Foundation.
Laushman team teaches in the biology core course Genetics, Evolution, & Ecology; a first-year seminar, Everyday Evolution; and field courses in Plant Ecology and Population Biology. He also is a member of the Environmental Studies Program.
Laushman values the close interaction with Oberlin students, both formal and informal. He enjoys outdoor activities, especially canoeing and gardening. His wife, Judy, is a horticulturist who takes care of the biology department’s Greenhouse. They have two children, Dan and Katie.
