James Lamsdell

James Lamsdell is an Associate Professor of Paleobiology in the Department of Geology and Geography at West Virginia University, a public R1 institution established in 1867. His research integrates paleontology, phylogenetics, and macroevolution to study aquatic arthropods, particularly marine chelicerates like eurypterids (sea scorpions) and xiphosurans (horseshoe crabs). He focuses on heterochrony, mass extinctions, and ecological shifts, combining morphometric and phylogenetic analyses to uncover evolutionary patterns.

• Research Focus: Macroevolution, phylogenetic paleoecology, lagerstätten studies, and heterochrony in arthropods.
• Labs: Leads the Paleobiology Lab at WVU, specializing in fossil imaging, preparation, and computational analysis.
• Grants: NSF CAREER award (2020-2026) for environmental drivers of morphological change; NSF award (2023-2026) for studying Paleozoic echinoderm evolutionary modes.
• Key Projects: Describing new eurypterid species, analyzing ontogeny in chelicerates, and investigating Devonian extinction impacts in the Appalachian Basin.

Recent Publications emphasize phylogenetic frameworks, heterochrony quantification, and exceptional fossil preservation across Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous periods. His work bridges evolutionary theory with empirical fossil data, offering insights into extinction selectivity and adaptive innovation.

• Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER award (2020).