Naomi Fraga’s research focuses on systematics of the species formerly treated in the genus Mimulus (commonly known as monkeyflowers), of which she has identified several new species. Fraga is also interested in floristics of California, conservation biology, pollination biology, and rarity and endemism.
Since 2001, Fraga has served in varying capacities at California Botanic Garden (formerly Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden), first as in intern, then as a curatorial assistant, and later as a conservation botanist. In that role, Fraga oversaw the field studies program and worked with federal, state, and local agencies on baseline botanical surveys and conservation strategies for plant species. Fraga has served as RSABG director of conservation programs since 2015.
As director, Fraga provides programmatic leadership and management to the plant conservation programs at the garden. She is responsible for preparation of contract and grant proposals, planning and conduction of fieldwork, report preparation, budget management, supervision of staff and interns, dissemination of research, and coordination and collaboration with complementary activities of other RSABG programs.
Fraga is the recipient of several awards and fellowships, including the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation Fellowship for leadership in environmental conservation (2010), California Botanical Society Graduate Student Meeting: Best Student Presentation (2010), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Certificate of Appreciation (2008). She has been an invited speaker at numerous California Native Plant Society’s local chapter meetings as well as at the Southern California Botanists Symposium, the Maturago Museum, and more.
Fraga is a member of many professional associations, including the American Public Gardens Association, American Society of Plant Taxonomists, Botanical Society of America, California Botanical Society, California Native Plant Society, and Nevada Native Plant Society.
Co-authored with E. Meyer and N. Jensen. “Seed Banking California’s Rare Plants.” California Department of Fish and Game 100 (2014): 79–85.
Co-authored with V.L. Soza, S.D. Boyd, and L.J. Gross, “Vascular Flora of the Verdugo Mountains and San Rafael Hills, Los Angeles County, California.” Crossosoma 39 (2013): 1–140.
Co-authored with D.S. Bell. 2012. “A New Species of Linanthus (Polemoniaceae) from San Bernardino County, California, USA.” Aliso 30 (2012): 97–102.
“A Revision of Erythranthe montioides and Erythranthe palmeri (Phrymaceae), with Descriptions of Five Species from California and Nevada, USA.” Aliso 30 (2012): 49–68
Co-authored with L.J. Gross, E.A. Kempton, and D.S. Bell. Reappearance of the Vanishing Buckwheat. A status review of Eriogonum evanidum (Polygonaceae).” Madrono 59 (2012): 150–55.
Co-authored with W.R. Barker, G.L. Nesom, and P.M. Beardsley. “A Taxonomic Conspectus of Phrymaceae: A Narrowed Circumscription for Mimulus, New and Resurrected Genera, and New Names and Combinations.” Phytoneuron 39 (2012): 1–60.