Steven J. Hageman

Steven J. Hageman is a Professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University, where he has been faculty since 1998. His academic background includes a B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and a research associate position at the Field Museum of Natural History. He specializes in invertebrate paleontology and paleoecology with a focus on evolutionary patterns.

Dr. Hageman's research explores microevolution, speciation dynamics, and the interplay between colonial growth habits and environments in bryozoans and other marine invertebrates. His work integrates phenotypic-genotypic relationships across geological timescales, with emphasis on Ordovician diversification events and paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

His recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches bridging paleontology, geochemistry, and evolutionary biology. Articles frequently analyze fossil morphology using quantitative methods, investigate ecosystem responses to ancient environmental perturbations, and resolve taxonomic controversies through microstructural analysis. Recurring themes include Cambrian-Ordovician transitions, trace fossil interpretation, and environmental applications of geological materials.

Honors and Awards:

• Board of Governors’ Appalachian State University College Teaching Award (2009)
• William Strickland Outstanding Junior Faculty Award (2000)
• Distinguished Lecturer, Paleontological Society (2000-2002)
• Fulbright Research Fellowships in Croatia (2006) and Poland (2018)
• Transfer Student Champion Award (2019)
• Fellow, Geological Society of America (2019)

As the department's Transfer Student Mentor, Dr. Hageman supports academic transitions and curriculum development. He teaches courses including Historical Geology, Paleontology, and Geological Field Methods.