Alex G. Liu

Dr. Alex G. Liu is an Associate Professor in Palaeobiology at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, and an Official Fellow in Natural Sciences at Girton College. His research focuses on the fossil record of early animal evolution, particularly the Ediacaran Period (635–539 million years ago) and the transition to the Cambrian Explosion. He investigates the interplay between biological evolution, environmental changes, and Earth System dynamics through field studies in locations like Newfoundland, Brazil, Namibia, Australia, and China.

Research Interests: Dr. Liu specializes in Ediacaran macrobiota, palaeoecology, fossil preservation mechanisms, and sedimentary and geochemical analysis. His work integrates systematics, ichnology, and stratigraphy to address questions about the origins of animal diversity and the environmental drivers of major evolutionary events.

Affiliations: He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Paleontology and a Voting Member of the International Subcommission on Ediacaran Stratigraphy. His lab (Liu Early Life Lab) explores Cryogenian to Cambrian transitions using field-based and experimental approaches.

Education: MESc (Oxford), D.Phil. (Oxford), Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS).