Ellen Currano

Ellen Currano is Professor of Paleobotany in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming. Her research integrates fossil plants, insect herbivory, and paleoenvironmental proxies to understand how ancient forest ecosystems responded to climate perturbations, with field projects spanning Wyoming’s Paleogene strata and East Africa’s Miocene basins. She teaches courses in paleobotany, paleoecology, and paleoclimatology and is co-founder of The Bearded Lady Project, a science-outreach documentary initiative.

Education

• Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2008
• B.S., University of Chicago, 2003

Research Interests

Currano’s work centers on reconstructing ancient forest ecosystems using fossil plants and their insect-mediated damage. She investigates how taxonomic diversity, ecosystem structure, plant–insect interactions, and biogeographic patterns shifted during past global warming events. Her current projects include:

• Biotic responses to Paleogene hothouse climates across the Western US, especially Wyoming.
• Evolution of East African terrestrial ecosystems over the last 30 million years.
• Fossil-plant proxies for paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

Scientific Awards

• Paleontological Society Medal, 2021

Teaching & Mentoring

Currano emphasizes active, process-based learning and critical thinking in her courses on paleobotany, paleoecology, and paleoclimatology. Leveraging Wyoming’s world-class fossil exposures, she mentors both undergraduate and graduate students in independent research.

Outreach & Leadership

She co-founded The Bearded Lady Project: Challenging the Face of Science, a documentary film and photography campaign that confronts stereotypes surrounding women in field sciences.