Jason Downs

Dr. Jason Downs serves as an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Delaware Valley University, where he has been a faculty member since 2015. He concurrently holds a research associate position at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP), facilitating student access to its fossil collections.

His academic credentials include a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Yale University.

Dr. Downs' research is exclusively dedicated to Pennsylvania fossils, with continuous publication throughout his career. He actively develops field programs to provide DelVal students hands-on fossil excavation experience across Pennsylvania, aiming to bridge classroom learning with practical paleontological discovery.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Delaware Valley University Professorship Award (2016-2018)

Dr. Downs mentors students through ANSP fossil collection tours and is establishing structured field opportunities for undergraduate crews, emphasizing experiential learning in paleontology.

His primary research collaboration occurs with the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, utilizing their extensive fossil archives for both scholarly investigation and educational initiatives.