Stephen Dornbos

Stephen Dornbos is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, affiliated with the College of Letters & Science. His research focuses on the evolution and preservation of early life, particularly the Ediacaran–Cambrian biodiversification event. He holds a PhD and MS from the University of Southern California and a BA from the College of Wooster.

Education:

• PhD, University of Southern California
• MS, University of Southern California
• BA, College of Wooster

Research Interests:

• Geobiology of microbial structures in Precambrian and Cambrian sedimentary rocks
• Evolutionary paleoecology of early animals during the Ediacaran–Cambrian biodiversification event
• Reef ecosystems and Cambrian substrate adaptations

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow, Geological Society of America

Professional Activities:

• Physical Scientist, U.S. Department of Defense
• AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, U.S. Department of Defense

Key Research Themes: His work analyzes Cambrian reef dynamics, Ediacaran trace fossils, and the environmental drivers of early animal evolution. Recent studies include atmospheric oxygen trends and carbonate contribution patterns in Cambrian ecosystems.