James H. Nebelsick

James H. Nebelsick is a Professor for Invertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoclimatology at the University of Tübingen, Department of Geosciences. He holds a BA (1981) and MA (1985) from the University of Cambridge, followed by postgraduate work at the University of Edinburgh (1982), a diploma and PhD from the University of Vienna (1983-1992), and Habilitation in Palaeontology at the University of Tübingen (1993-1999). Before his current role since 2003, he held guest professorships at the Universities of Vienna, Münster, Innsbruck, and Stuttgart (1999-2003).

His research focuses on echinoderm taphonomy, paleoecology, and biostratigraphy with emphasis on echinoids, brachiopods, and other marine invertebrates. Key themes include predator-prey interactions, fossil preservation pathways, and environmental reconstruction using shell beds and sedimentary facies analysis. Notable work includes studies on Red Sea echinoids, Miocene Sardinian shell beds, and Jurassic brachiopod accumulations.

Nebelsick has authored/co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, including a monograph on echinoid taphonomy (2021). His contributions span cutting-edge topics like biomimetic engineering inspired by echinoid skeletal structures and conservation paleobiology applications. He actively organizes international meetings such as Taphos 2011 and chairs sessions at major conferences, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue between geology, biology, and archaeology.