Staff Directory
Cynthia Jones, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, in the UConn Botanical Conservatory on March 25, 2024. (Bri Diaz/UConn Photo)
Director of the Conservatory
Cynthia Jones
Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Cynthia Jones joined the UConn Faculty in 1991. Since that time she has been engaged with the UConn Botanical Conservatory as a researcher, educator and for the last several years, as Director. She led development of a Strategic Plan for the Conservatory in 2021 and continues to share her passion for the Conservatory through remaining engaged as Director. She is committed to ensuring that the Conservatory provides the best possible resources to researchers, high quality plant materials and experiential, inspirational learning opportunities for educators, students, and visitors. She also believes deeply in the restorative power nature, and has worked with the Conservatory staff to create a Conservatory and garden that is welcoming to all.
Full-Time Staff
Meghan Moriarty
General Manager
Meghan Moriarty is the General Manager of the UConn Botanical Conservatory, including both the facilities at the Torrey Life Sciences Building and the Biology/Physics Building. In addition to participating in daily care of the plants, she is the primary contact for all questions about scheduling tours, general operations, volunteering, and research space allocation.
Matt Opel
Collections Scientist
Matt Opel is the Collections Scientist of the UConn Botanical Conservatory. In addition to participating in daily care of the succulent, Mediterranean, temperate, and research plants, he is the primary contact for questions regarding plant specimen acquisition and exchanges; collections content and documentation; and teaching and research needs.
Cole Geissler
Tropical Plant Horticulturist
Cole Geissler is the Tropical Plant Horticulturist of the UConn Botanical Conservatory. He is largely responsible for daily care of the tropical plant, orchid, and fern collections.
Student Plant Care Specialists
The Conservatory supports one or two part-time student labor positions. Basic requirements for these positions are some horticulture experience, a strong interest in plants and caring for them, and attention to detail.
Spring 2023 Specialist
Olivia Delello
Volunteers
The Conservatory also offers a volunteer program for up to eight students per semester. Students can volunteer anytime during volunteer hours, which are Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Volunteer tasks include weeding, repotting, collecting data, and working in the garden. We generally recruit Student Plant Care Specialists from the volunteer pool.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Meghan Moriarty at Meghan.Moriarty@uconn.edu
Fall 2023 Volunteers
Connor Grace
Imogene Kline
Garrett Brochard
Robbie Eselby