The Barrington Group at the University of Vermont is a community of scholars and students working together on an array of inquiries into the diversity and evolution of spore-dispersed plants, especially ferns and clubmosses. Our current fascination is with the biogeography and diversification rates of these plants and the ecological and geological variables that determine these patterns. We have for many years been exploring the origins of diversity via hybridization and polyploidy as well as through primary divergence.

Dave has directed the Pringle Herbarium since 1974. Prior to coming to the University of Vermont, he studied plant systematics and evolution at Bates College and Harvard University. His current research focuses on the geographic diversity and evolution of ferns in tropical America and Asia.