William Weaver
PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan.
Education
University of Michigan
Sep 2019 - Present
PhD Candidate - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Colorado Boulder
Sep 2013 - May 2017
BA Double Major - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Environmental Studies
Work Experience
University of Michigan Herbarium
Sep 2024 - Present
Curatorial Assistant
University of Michigan
Sep 2021 - Aug 2024
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
University of Michigan
Sep 2019 - Present
Graduate Student Instructor
Teaching various biology courses and leading summer camps. Conducting research in ecology and evolutionary biology.
University of Colorado Boulder
Mar 2018 - Aug 2019
Professional Research Assistant
Developed computer vision and machine learning algorithms for trait extraction from herbarium specimens.
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science
Mar 2018 - Apr 2019
Associate Scientist
Researched Gauss-peak spectral deconvolution for algal pigment analyses and assisted with modeling carbon assimilation.
Colorado State SenateInternship
Jan 2017 - May 2017
Policy Research Intern
Researched energy and environmental legislation, drafted bill packets, and managed community outreach.
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science
Sep 2015 - Mar 2018
Laboratory Technician
Operated analytical equipment, conducted water quality analyses, and collected field data.
University of Colorado Boulder
Sep 2015 - Feb 2018
Research Assistant
Conducted genetic sequencing and large-scale analysis for plant species trait evolution research.
University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
Aug 2013 - May 2016
Preservationist – Archives and Special Collections
Assisted with preservation efforts and performed minor repairs on books and media.
Skills
Machine Learning
Computer Vision
Large Language Models
Hugging Face
Python
R
Matlab
C++
Web Development
Projects
LeafMachine2
leafmachine.org
Modular machine learning networks for rapid herbarium specimen analysis.
Machine Learning
Python
TensorFlow
FieldPrism
fieldprism.org
System for creating snapshot vouchers from field images using photogrammetric markers and QR codes.
Machine Learning
Python
Computer Vision
VoucherVision
huggingface.cospaces/phyloforfun/VoucherVision
AI system for automated transcription of herbarium specimen labels.
Machine Learning
Python
NLP
Herbarium Specimen Label Transcription Project
huggingface.coSLTP
Collaborative project focused on creating LLM training datasets for natural history applications.
Machine Learning
Python
NLP
LLMs
LeafMachine
doi.org10.1002/aps3.11367
Using machine learning to automate leaf trait extraction from digitized herbarium specimens.
Machine Learning
Matlab
Computer Vision
Publications
8.
Repeated shifts out of tropical climates preceded by whole genome duplication
2024
Tom Carruthers, Deise J. P. Gonçalves, Pan Li, Andre S. Chanderbali, Christopher W. Dick, Peter W. Fritsch, Drew A. Larson, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis, William N. Weaver, Stephen A. Smith
New Phytologist
DOI: 10.1111/nph.20200
Link to Publication7.
A global blueberry phylogeny: Evolution, diversification, and biogeography of Vaccinieae (Ericaceae)
2024
Anna L. Becker, Andrew A. Crowl, James L. Luteyn, Andre S. Chanderbali, Walter S. Judd, Paul S. Manos, Pamela S. Soltis, Douglas E. Soltis, Stephen A. Smith, Deise J.P. Goncalves, Christopher W. Dick, William N. Weaver, Nico Cellinese, Peter W. Fritsch
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108202
Link to Publication6.
From leaves to labels: Building modular machine learning networks for rapid herbarium specimen analysis with LeafMachine2
2023
William N. Weaver, Stephen A. Smith
Applications in Plant Sciences
DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11548
Link to Publication5.
FieldPrism: A system for creating snapshot vouchers from field images using photogrammetric markers and QR codes
2023
William N. Weaver, Stephen A. Smith
Applications in Plant Sciences
DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11545
Link to Publication4.
Herbarium specimen label transcription reimagined with large language models: Capabilities, productivity, and risks
2023
William N. Weaver, Brad R. Ruhfel, Kyle J. Lough, Stephen A. Smith
American Journal of Botany
DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16256
Link to Publication3.
The Future of Natural History Transcription: Navigating AI advancements with VoucherVision and the Specimen Label Transcription Project (SLTP)
2023
William N. Weaver, Brad R. Ruhfel, Kyle J. Lough, Stephen A. Smith
Biodiversity Information Science and Standards
DOI: 10.3897/biss.7.113067
Link to Publication2.
LeafMachine: Using machine learning to automate leaf trait extraction from digitized herbarium specimens
2020
William N. Weaver, Julienne Ng, Robert G. Laport
Applications in Plant Sciences
DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11367
Link to Publication1.
Testing Darwin's Naturalization Conundrum using phylogenetic relationships: generalizable patterns across disparate communities?
2018
Julienne Ng, William N. Weaver, Robert G. Laport
Diversity and Distributions
DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12861
Link to PublicationPress
Digitizing 1.7 million specimens at the U-M Herbarium with AI
October 11, 2024
Teaching
WISE-GISE Summer Camp
Summer 2023, 2024
Instructor
Developed full-day curriculum for summer camp to teach middle schoolers about botany, leaf architecture, biodiversity, and machine learning.
EEB 500 - Woody Plants Identification Lab
Summer 2021
Guest Lecturer
Taught Frontiers Masters students how to identify common Michigan plant species.
BIO 171 - Introduction to BiologyThree sections
Fall 2020
Graduate Student Instructor
BIO 173 - Introduction to Biology LabTwo sections
Fall 2019