Dr. James R. Kemp

Faculty Member Photo: 

Dr. James Kemp’s research involves pollination and floral morphology. He initiated and co-led a project involving wild roses as an alternative crop for bioactive compounds in Atlantic Canada. His work also involves pesticides and the decline of honey bees in Atlantic Canada.

Says Dr. Kemp, "I have been a member of the Biology Department at the University of Prince Edward Island since September 1993. Prior to coming to UPEI, I obtained my BSc and PhD from the University of Guelph where I completed my thesis on the floral biology and pollination biology of Rosa setigera Mich. My main areas of interest are floral morphology and pollination biology. I have taught a broad range of biology courses, and presently I am teaching courses related to human biology, botany, and microscopy."

Education:

• PhD (Guelph) 1994
• BSc (Guelph) 1988
• Communications Studio Techniques (Loyalist College) 1973

"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen
and thinking what nobody has thought"

- Albert von Szent-Gyorgy

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Courses Taught

• Biology 101 - Environmental Biology
• Biology 102 - Human Biology
• Biology 120 - Anatomy and Physiology
• Biology 202 - Plant Diversity
• Biology 331 - Microbiology
• Biology 372 - Microtechniques
• Biology 452 - Plant Physiology
• Biology 441 - Special Studies in Biology
• Biology 490 - Honours Research and Thesis

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Courses I presently teach

Biology 102 - Human Biology

An introductory course dealing with the structure and function of the human body. Course topics will include discussion on human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, human development, genetic disorders, integumentary, musculo-skeletal, digestive, respiratory, excretory, circulatory, and nervous system design and function.
3 hours lecture per week
2 hours laboratory per week

Biology 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I

This introductory course deals with structural levels of organization of the human body and is designed for students in the Nursing program and the Department of Family and Nutritional Sciences. The course parallels the "level of organization" hierarchy of body structure, cytology and histology. Topics emphasize the basic principles of Biology, and include examination of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the Nursing program or Department of Family and Nutritional Sciences, except by permission of the instructor.
3 hours lecture per week
2 hours laboratory per week

Biology 202 - Plant Diversity

A survey of the major plant groups, bacteria, fungi, algae, bryophytes, vascular cryptograms and seed plants emphasizing morphology, life histories and evolutionary relationships. Prerequisite: A combined average of at least 60% in Biology 111-112
3 hours lecture per week
2 hours laboratory per week

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Biology 372 - Microtechniques (offered in 1998 and alternate years)

In this course, students examine the simple and complex tissues of plants and animals throughout their life cycles. Basic and advanced concepts pertaining to microscopy are taught, including the advantages and disadvantages of various microscopy techniques. Students prepare light microscope sections, and scanning electron microscope samples from a variety of organisms, as well as photographic plates suitable for publication.
Prerequisite: Biology 201 or 212
3 hours lecture per week
3 hours laboratory per week

Biology 461 (formerly 452) Plant Physiology (offered in 1999 and alternate years)

A consideration of major events in the growth and development of higher plants. Topics will include: assimilation, growth and its control, development, and ecological physiology.
Prerequisite: Biology 201, 202, and 221. Chemistry 351 must be taken at least concurrently.
3 hours lecture per week
3 hours laboratory per week

Biology 441 - Special Studies in Biology

Available to advanced students at the discretion of the Department. Entry to the course, and the conditions which the course may be offered will be subject to the approval of the Chair of the Department and the Dean of Science. (See Academic Regulation 35 for Regulations Governing Special Studies.)
Three semester hours of credit

Biology 490 - Honours Research and Thesis

This is a 12 semester-hour course required of all Honours students. It is intended to provide the student with an opportunity to design, carry out, evaluate and write up a research project in an approved scientific fashion, while working under the direction of a chief advisor assisted by an advisory committee. Normally the research will be done during the summer session preceding the student's graduating year, and the written during the final academic year. The objective of this course is to provide research experience for the student who intends to take up further studies at a post-graduate level or for the student who is planning on entering a career where research experience in Biology related areas would be an asset.

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Research Interests

My specific field of study is floral development and pollination biology. My research interests are focused on the evolution of dioecy and factors that influence the efficiency of plant breeding systems. Comparative studies of the structure and development of floral shoots in seed plants provides valuable information on developmental processes involved in the establishment of the floral organs, and resource allocation of resources involved in the evolution of breeding systems. Morphological concepts are basic to a number of disciplines in plant science, and the developmental studies can be applied to the study of problems in morphology, taxonomy, ecology, physiology, and genetics. By comparing the studies of floral biology with pollinator efficiency, my work allows me to examine the factors involved in a successful plant breeding system. This work may also be combined with physiological studies that investigate the effect of nutrients on pollination, and how the nutrients influence pollination success of commercial crops.

Some Current Projects

1. Determinating the mechanisms governing floral initiation, pollination, and fruit-set of lowbush blueberry. This work is a collaborative effort with Dr. Dave Percival (Nova Scotia Agricultural College). It includes investigating the foliar application of the micro-nutrient boron, and its effect on pollination efficiency. The work is sponsored both by industry and Agriculture Canada.
2. The effect of foliar application of boron on the efficiency of pollination in Canola flowers. This is a preliminary investigation to investigate the effect of a foliar application of boron on floral initiation, seed number and seed size.
3. Adaptive nature of floral traits and pollination in Rhus radicans (poison ivy), and Rhus typhina (sumac), on Prince Edward Island. The primary purpose of this research is to document floral initiation, and the pollination biology of these two dioecious species. It involves determining to what extent floral form, and inflorescence size has on pollination efficiency. The study will also determine what species of insect visitors are involved in the pollination of the species, and the behavior interaction between the pollinators and the floral species.
4. Floral development and pollination biology of Rosa setigera, Rosa carolina, and Rosa virginiana. This is a continuation of research initiated during my Ph.D. at the University of Guelph. The work primarily investigates the floral morphology, pollination efficiency, and pollen-stigmatic interactions. Along with Dr. Peter Kevan (University of Guelph), the research also is investigating pollinator behavior, visitation rates, and factors that influence the determination of pollinator preferences.

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Publications

• GALLLANT, J.B., KEMP, J.R. and LACROIX, C.R. (1997) Floral Development of Dioecious Staghorn Sumac, Rhus hirta (Anacardiaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 159(4): 539-549.
• LACROIX, C.R. and KEMP, J.R. (1997) Developmental morphology of the androecium and gynoecium in Ruppia maritima L.: Considerations for pollination. Aquatic Botany 59: 253-262.
• *KEMP, J.R., KEVAN, P.G. and POSLUSZNY, U. (1993a). Morphological differences and changes of the gynoecium in short-lived flowers of Rosa setigera (Michaux) and their relationship in regard to dioecy. International Journal of Plant Sciences 154: 550-556.
• *KEMP, J.R., POSLUSZNY, U., GERRATH, J.M. and KEVAN, P.G. (1993b). Floral development of Rosa setigera Michaux. Can. J. Bot. 71: 74-86.
• *KEVAN, P.G., AMBROSE, J.D., and KEMP, J.R. (1991). Pollination in an understory vine, Smilax rotundifolia, a threatened plant of the Carolinian forests in Canada. Can. J. Bot. 69: 2555-2559.
• *KEVAN, P.G., EISIKOWITCH, D., AMBROSE, J.D. and KEMP, J.R. (1990). Cryptic dioecy and insect pollination in Rosa setigera Michx. (Rosaceae), a rare plant of Carolinian Canada. Biol. J. of the Linn. Society 40: 229-243.
• KEVAN, P.G., MOHR, N.A., OFFER, M.D. and KEMP, J.R. (1989). The squash and gourd bee, Peponapis pruinosa (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae) in Ontario, Canada. Proc. of the Ent. Soc. of Ontario 119: 9-15.

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Papers presented at conferences

• KEMP, J.R., and LACROIX, C.L. (1994). Developmental morphology of the androecium and gynoecium in Ruppia maritima. Canadian Botanical Association. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• KEMP, J.R., KEVAN, P.G. EISIKOWITCH, D., AND AMBROSE, J.D. (1992). Cryptic dioecy and insect pollination in Rosa setigera Michaux (Rosaceae), a rare plant of Carolinian Canada. North American Prairie Conference. Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
• KEMP, J.R., POSLUSZNY, U., and KEVAN, P.G. (1992). Floral development of Rosa setigera (Michaux). Insitute de recherche en biologie végétale. Jardin botanique de Montreal, Plant Development Workshop.
• KEMP, J.R., POSLUSZNY, U. and KEVAN, P.G. (1990). Development of the hypanthium and androecium of Rosa setigera - An example of continuity. Canadian Botanical Association, Windsor , Ontario, Canada.
• KEMP, J.R., KEVAN, P.G. and POSLUSZNY, U. (1989). Morphological differences and similarities in the gynoecial structure of Rosa setigera as related to dioecy. American Institute of Biological Sciences and the Canadian Botanical Association. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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