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Natalia Rybczynski is an Adjunct Research Professor in the Department of Biology at Carleton University, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. Her primary research focuses on Paleobiology and Paleoenvironments of the Cenozoic High Arctic and functional morphology of vertebrate feeding and locomotion systems. She holds offices at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Gatineau and coordinates interdisciplinary projects on Arctic paleoenvironments, pinniped evolution, and vertebrate herbivore feeding mechanisms. Education: B.Sc. in Biology, Carleton University M.Sc. in Zoology, University of Toronto Ph.D. in Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University Research Interests: Reconstructing Arctic paleoenvironments during the Neogene Evolutionary transitions in marine mammals (e.g., pinnipeds) Feeding kinematics in herbivorous vertebrates like hadrosaurs Integration of field-based paleontology with biomechanical and anatomical analyses Her publications span paleoclimatology, fossil analysis, and evolutionary studies, emphasizing Arctic ecosystems and vertebrate adaptations. Collaborative work includes geoscientists to reconstruct ancient Arctic climates and anatomists to model feeding systems in extinct species. Active in field expeditions and lab-based experimental studies. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Canadian Museum of Nature researchers and international teams in Arctic paleontology projects. Engages in interdisciplinary initiatives like the PoLAR-FIT project studying Pliocene Arctic ecosystems.

• Paleontology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Functional Morphology
• +7 more

Daniel J. Field is Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology in the Department of Earth Sciences and the Strickland Curator of Ornithology at the University of Cambridge Museum of Zoology. He is a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge, where Charles Darwin studied as an undergraduate, and serves as the founding director of the Darwin-Hamied Centre at Christ's College. Field also maintains research associate positions at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Natural History Museum (London). Field is an evolutionary biologist and palaeontologist whose research focuses on deciphering the origins of modern avian biodiversity using fossil, anatomical, and molecular data. His work spans multiple themes including clarifying how birds survived and diversified following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, studying the evolutionary histories of major living bird groups, and understanding the evolutionary origins of distinctive biological features such as the modern bird skull. In 2020, his team announced the discovery of Asteriornis maastrichtensis (the 'Wonderchicken'), the oldest-known modern bird fossil and an early relative of the group that gave rise to living chickens and ducks. Field's publication record shows consistent research output across multiple areas of avian evolution, with recent work focusing on avian palate evolution, skeletal pneumaticity, developmental patterns in bird skulls, and the evolutionary relationships among major bird groups. His research integrates cutting-edge techniques including CT scanning, geometric morphometrics, and phylogenetic analysis to address fundamental questions about vertebrate evolution. Field leads an active research group comprising postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and master's students from around the world. His lab has produced significant work on topics including the evolution of flightlessness in ratites, the developmental underpinnings of avian morphological diversity, and the phylogenetic relationships among major bird lineages. The lab maintains strong international collaborations and has been instrumental in training the next generation of evolutionary biologists and palaeontologists. Field is passionate about natural history and science outreach, and enjoys photographing Earth's vertebrate biodiversity in the field. His work bridges the gap between traditional palaeontology and modern evolutionary biology, contributing significantly to our understanding of how modern bird diversity arose from their dinosaurian ancestors.

• Avian Evolution
• Vertebrate Palaeontology
• Bird Biodiversity
• +7 more

Eric Roberts is a Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering and Director of the Potential Gas Agency at the Colorado School of Mines. His research focuses on basin analysis, energy exploration, and sedimentary geology with specializations in Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins of Gondwana and North America. He leads projects in U-Pb geochronology, critical minerals exploration, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction through vertebrate paleontology and stratigraphy studies. Roberts' work integrates advanced geochronological techniques with field-based analyses to address questions in paleobiology, resource exploration, and earth system dynamics. Key research themes include: Geochronology of sedimentary and volcanic deposits Paleoclimate reconstruction using paleosols Stratigraphic frameworks for dinosaur fossil records Resource potential of helium/hydrogen reserves Antarctic and African vertebrate paleontology His exploration of hominin burial practices in the Rising Star Cave System has provided critical insights into early human behavior. Roberts' interdisciplinary approach bridges geological, biological, and environmental sciences to advance understanding of Earth's history and resource management strategies.

• Basin analysis
• energy exploration
• sedimentary geology
• +12 more

Josh Schmerge is an Instructional Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Mississippi. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Kansas (2015) and teaches courses such as BISC 102 and BISC 104. His research focuses on vertebrate paleontology, particularly the functional anatomy of burrowing rodents and the taxonomic validity of theropod dinosaurs like Nanotyrannus lancensis . He has published extensively on dinosaur morphology and phylogeny, arguing for Nanotyrannus ' distinct status from Tyrannosaurus rex based on dentary groove analysis. Education : B.S. Geology (University of Wyoming, 2007), M.S. Geology (University of Kansas, 2011), Ph.D. Geology (University of Kansas, 2015) His work integrates morphological studies with phylogenetic analysis, emphasizing anatomical features like dentary grooves to resolve taxonomic debates. Key contributions include clarifying groove morphology in tyrannosaurids and describing new castorid species. Awards include the 2015 Erasmus A. Haworth Award and teaching nominations.

• Vertebrate Paleontology
• Fossil History
• Functional Anatomy
• +3 more

Grzegorz Niedzwiedzki is a Researcher at Uppsala University's Department of Organismal Biology, specializing in vertebrate palaeontology and early tetrapod evolution. He holds a PhD from the University of Warsaw (2013) and has conducted expeditions across Poland, Russia, Tunisia, Greenland, and Sweden. His research focuses on Triassic-Jurassic vertebrate ecosystems, coprolite analysis, and early dinosaur evolution. Education: PhD in Biology (2013), University of Warsaw Master's in Biology (2007), University of Warsaw Bachelor's in Biology (2004), University of Warsaw Research Interests: Grzegorz's work analyzes fossilized footprints, coprolites, and skeletal remains to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. He has pioneered studies on Early Triassic predator ecosystems via coprolites and contributed to understanding dinosaur dietary habits through coprolite microbiota analysis. His fieldwork has uncovered critical fossils like the archosaur Smok wawelski and Early Jurassic dinosaur tracks. Key Achievements: Recipient of multiple prestigious awards (National Geographic grants, Prime Minister's Special Award) Over 100 peer-reviewed publications in journals like Nature , Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology , and Acta Palaeontologica Polonica Co-discoverer of the oldest known mammaliaform fossil in Greenland Grants & Collaborations: Multiple international expeditions funded by Polish and Swedish institutions Collaborations with the American Museum of Natural History and Uppsala University Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Uppsala University's Evolution and Development research group and collaborates globally on fossil expeditions and synchrotron imaging projects.

• Palaeobiology
• Palaeoecology
• Vertebrate Palaeontology
• +3 more

Dr. Oliver Hampe serves as Scientific Director of the Vertebrate Paleontology and Geology Collections at the Museum für Naturkunde (Museum of Natural History), Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research in Berlin, Germany. He also holds the position of Head of the Paleontological Preparation Laboratory. His expertise spans extinct aquatic vertebrates, paleopathology, and geoarchaeology, with significant contributions to cetacean evolution research. Hampe completed his studies in Chemistry and Geology-Paleontology from 1981-1987 at universities in Düsseldorf and Mainz, earning his Diploma in 1987. He received his PhD from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in 1991 and completed his habilitation for Palaeobiology and Zoology at Humboldt University Berlin in 2003, qualifying him as a Privatdozent. His research focuses on cetacean evolution, particularly Miocene whale fossils from German sites like Groß Pampau, with significant work on periotic bone anatomy. Hampe integrates traditional morphological analysis with advanced imaging techniques including CT scanning to study fossil specimens non-destructively. His paleopathological research examines diseases in fossils, such as osteomyelitis in Tyrannosaurus rex and bone tumors in whale specimens. He also maintains scholarly interest in the history of paleontology, particularly Werner Janensch's work and German expeditions to Tendaguru, Tanzania. Analysis of Hampe's recent publications reveals consistent focus on cetacean evolution, especially baleen whales from the Miocene epoch. His methodological approach frequently combines detailed morphological analysis with geological context to understand evolutionary patterns. He has made significant taxonomic contributions through studies of whale ear bone anatomy and has extended his research to pathological conditions in diverse fossil vertebrates. His interdisciplinary work bridges paleontology with medical imaging techniques and historical studies. As Head of the Paleontological Preparation Laboratory, Hampe oversees the curation and preparation of vertebrate fossil collections. His current research projects include cetacean studies from Groß Pampau, pathology research on dinosaurs and mammals, and investigations into aquatic adaptation in Cetartiodactyla supervised with PhD student Apolline Alfsen. His collaborative approach is evident in numerous publications with international researchers across Europe.

• Paleontology
• Vertebrate Paleontology
• Cetacean Evolution
• +3 more

Rowan C Martindale is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences within the Jackson School of Geosciences. His research focuses on marine paleoecology, mass extinctions, and carbon cycle perturbations in deep time, particularly the Triassic-Jurassic and Toarcian Ocean Anoxic Event. He leads the Martindale Lab, which investigates Jurassic reef crises, Lagerstätten preservation, and modern reef decline. His work integrates field studies, geochemical analyses, and educational tools like board games to enhance STEM engagement. Affiliations: UT Austin Non-vertebrate Paleontology Lab GSA Geobiology & Geomicrobiology Division (Executive Committee) Education: Doctoral research centered on Triassic/Jurassic boundary reef collapse linked to ocean acidification. Postdoctoral opportunities at Scripps and Humboldt Foundation were declined. Research Interests: Reconstruction of ancient reef ecosystems, exceptional fossil preservation mechanisms, and applying paleontological insights to modern conservation. Key projects include the Pliensbachian/Toarcian reef crisis and Jamaican coral reef monitoring. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2015, emphasizing Jurassic paleoecology, fossil preservation, and education innovation. Top-tier journals include Paleontology , Geology , and Papers in Palaeontology . Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2019) UT Austin Teaching Excellence Award (2017) Advising & Grants: Supervised 15+ graduate students and postdocs. Secured NSF grants for reef research and educational initiatives like the GeoPATHS program in Jamaica. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with global institutions on field projects in Morocco, Jamaica, and the Caribbean. Lab focuses on combining fieldwork, microscopy, and geochemical analyses.

• Marine Paleontology
• Mass Extinctions
• Carbon Cycle Perturbation Events
• +5 more

Jeffrey Doser is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University (NC State), within the College of Natural Resources. His research focuses on ecological modeling, species distribution analysis, spatial statistics, and biodiversity monitoring. He specializes in developing R software tools for ecological data analysis, such as the spAbundance and spOccupancy packages. His work emphasizes improving statistical methods for occupancy models, integrating acoustic and survey data, and addressing environmental challenges like invasive species and climate change impacts on ecosystems. Key research themes include species-environment interactions, spatially varying coefficients in ecological models, and functional reproducibility in scientific coding. His recent studies address topics such as American chestnut restoration, wild bee community dynamics, and early detection of invasive aquatic species. Doser collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving forest inventory, avian soundscapes, and long-term ecological monitoring. His publications (2020–2025) highlight methodological advancements in species distribution modeling, occupancy frameworks for multi-season data, and applications of Bayesian approaches. He advocates for rigorous statistical practices and reproducible research in ecology.

• Ecological Modeling
• Species Distribution Analysis
• Spatial Statistics
• +3 more

Charles R. Marshall is the Philip Sandford Boone Chair in Paleontology and Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. He serves as Director of the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) and Chair of the Berkeley Natural History Museums (BNHMs). His research focuses on deep-time evolutionary biology, integrating fossil and genomic data to understand life's evolution, extinction dynamics, and morphological innovation. He holds a joint appointment in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Research Interests: Dr. Marshall explores processes shaping long-term evolution, including mass extinctions, biodiversity dynamics, and the origins of animal body plans. His work combines epistemological tools with interdisciplinary approaches, such as molecular phylogenetics and fluid dynamics analysis of fossilized structures. He emphasizes collaboration across institutions and disciplines, leveraging museum collections and computational models. Key Contributions: Notable projects include quantifying Tyrannosaurus rex population size, analyzing extinction pulses, and evaluating timetree methodologies. He co-authored influential studies on the Cambrian Explosion and the Red Queen hypothesis in mammalian extinctions. His work bridges paleobiology with conservation science to address modern ecological challenges. Awards: Recipient of the 2023 Paleontological Society Pojeta Award. His leadership roles include directing major initiatives like the Eastern Pacific Invertebrate Communities of the Cenozoic (EPICC) project, advancing global biodiversity documentation.

• Paleontology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Biodiversity Dynamics
• +3 more

Catherine Badgley is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan. She serves as a Research Scientist at the Museum of Paleontology and the Residential College, with a career spanning over four decades since joining as a Michigan Fellow in 1982. Her work bridges paleoecology, biogeography, and sustainable agriculture, focusing on biodiversity responses to global change across deep time scales. Ph.D. in Geology from Yale (1982) MFS from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (1974) B.A. in Geology from Radcliffe College (Harvard) Her research integrates four major themes: Paleoecology: Quantitative analysis of fossil assemblages, taphonomy, and Cenozoic mammal community dynamics Climate Change: Using mammal databases to link modern ecological patterns with paleoclimatic inference Spatiotemporal Biodiversity: Tracking mammal-plant co-evolution since the Last Glacial Maximum using isotopic and morphological proxies Agricultural Sustainability: Pioneering studies demonstrating organic agriculture's capacity to meet global food demands Recent publications reveal trends combining 4D geodynamic modeling , C3/C4 vegetation transitions , and functional morphology across Neogene records in Pakistan, Spain, and North America. Her fieldwork spans the Siwalik sequence, Mojave Desert, and Great Basin regions. She leads the NSF-funded NARLEE (North American Rodent Landscapes Evolution & Ecology) Research Coordination Network and teaches courses like EEB 318/319 on Food Systems and EEB 445 Biogeography, featuring immersive fieldwork and interdisciplinary analysis of agricultural impacts on biodiversity.

• Paleoecology
• Biogeography
• Sustainable Agriculture
• +4 more

Mattia Tagliavento is a Researcher in Geochemistry at Goethe University, Frankfurt, specializing in clumped isotope thermometry and carbonate sedimentology. His work focuses on developing Dual Clumped Isotope Thermometry (∆47/∆48) and applying it to study extinct organisms' thermophysiology and ancient climate systems. He operates the Kiel IV + MAT 253Plus system at Goethe University and investigates Jurassic carbonate platforms, cold-water methane seeps, and Mesozoic vertebrate biology. Education: B.Sc. in Earth Science (2013), Sapienza University of Rome M.Sc. in Exploration Geology (2016), Sapienza University of Rome Ph.D. in Geochemistry (2019), University of Copenhagen Research Interests: His studies integrate clumped isotope analysis with stable isotopes and pyrite framboids to unravel diagenetic processes, paleoenvironments, and organism physiology. Key areas include: Thermophysiology of non-avian dinosaurs (e.g., Troodon) Cenozoic climate evolution in Mediterranean basins Diagenetic origins of chalk microfabrics Publications: Recent work emphasizes methodological advances in triple clumped isotope analysis and applications to methane seep systems, eggshell mineralization, and Eocene climate-greening links. His articles bridge geochemistry with paleontology, offering novel insights into organism-environment interactions. Labs & Teams: Active in Goethe University's Geochemistry Lab, focusing on cutting-edge mass spectrometry and clumped isotope workflows. Collaborates internationally on projects involving carbonates, fluid inclusions, and fossilized biominerals.

• Clumped Isotope Thermometry
• Paleoclimatology
• Geochemistry
• +3 more

Roger Benson is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford specializing in paleontology and evolutionary biology. His research integrates fossil discovery, 3D morphometric analysis, and quantitative macroevolutionary studies to investigate vertebrate evolution across deep time, with particular expertise in dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and early synapsids. His primary research domains include: Phylogenetic Paleobiology : Resolving evolutionary relationships in key vertebrate clades using cladistic methods and fossil data Macroevolutionary Dynamics : Analyzing large-scale patterns of morphological diversity and species richness over 100+ million years Earth-Life Interactions : Quantifying links between environmental change, rock record biases, and biodiversity patterns using multivariate statistics Extant-Fossil Integration : Applying anatomical datasets from living species to test ecological hypotheses about extinct organisms Recent publications reveal consistent methodological innovation through synchrotron imaging, computational morphometrics, and big-data approaches to evolutionary questions. His work demonstrates how quantitative analysis of anatomical variation can resolve long-standing debates in vertebrate phylogeny while revealing fundamental principles of adaptive radiation. Though no specific awards are documented in the source material, Benson's research impact is evidenced by publications in premier journals including Nature, Science, and PNAS, reflecting significant contributions to evolutionary science. Benson actively mentors graduate students and leads international collaborations, as demonstrated by multi-institutional projects on Permian-Triassic extinction dynamics and dinosaur sensory evolution. His research group bridges field paleontology with computational biology to address fundamental questions in vertebrate evolution. Based within Oxford's Earth Sciences framework, his work leverages advanced imaging facilities and computational resources for fossil analysis and evolutionary modeling, contributing to the university's leadership in paleobiological research.

• Palaeontology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Phylogenetics
• +4 more

Per Ahlberg is a Professor at Uppsala University's Department of Organismal Biology, specializing in vertebrate evolution and paleontology. His research focuses on early vertebrates, particularly Devonian tetrapods, placoderms, and the transition from fish to land vertebrates. He employs advanced imaging techniques like synchrotron tomography to study fossil anatomy and preservation. Key areas of study include the evolution of jaws, teeth, and skeletal structures in early vertebrates, as well as the ecological and environmental contexts of major evolutionary transitions. His work integrates anatomical, paleontological, and developmental approaches, collaborating on projects such as the analysis of the Gogo Lagerstätte fossils and the study of tetrapod trackways. Ahlberg's publications highlight contributions to understanding vertebrate origins, such as discoveries related to Romundina stellina and Ventastega curonica, which bridge gaps between fish and tetrapods. He has also addressed broader topics like fossil nomenclature stability and post-extinction ecosystem recovery.

• Paleontology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Vertebrate Evolution
• +3 more

Jonas Rubenson is a Professor of Kinesiology in the Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Development, at The Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on the mechanics and energetics of locomotion, in vivo skeletal muscle function, and musculoskeletal structure-function relationships. Ph.D., 2005, Biomechanics, The University of Western Australia B.Sc. (Hon), 1998, Exercise Physiology, The University of Western Australia B.Sc., 1996, Biology and Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia His research integrates experimental and modeling approaches to study gait and skeletal muscle function during locomotion in both health and disease/impairment. Key areas include the relationship between joint and muscle mechanics and metabolic energetics, as well as mechanisms underlying locomotor adaptation and optimization. Recent publications emphasize locomotor plasticity, tendon stress in hopping kangaroos, and musculoskeletal modeling in birds and bipedal models. Rubenson collaborates with research centers such as the Integrative and Biomedical Physiology and the Center for Movement Science and Technology . His work often involves interdisciplinary approaches, combining biomechanics, physiology, and robotics. Current research projects investigate principles of muscle function during movement, with applications in understanding locomotion in extinct theropod dinosaurs and developing legged robots. His team also explores developmental plasticity of locomotor economy and swing-phase mechanics in avian models.

• Biomechanics
• Locomotion
• Muscle Physiology
• +3 more

Dr. Diana Boyer is a Professor of Geology at Winthrop University's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Geology from the University of California, Riverside, and a B.S. in Geology from the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on reconstructing ancient marine communities and understanding mass extinctions, particularly the End Devonian Hangenberg Crisis. She employs geochemical, sedimentological, and paleontological proxies to investigate environmental drivers of biodiversity loss, with recent attention to parallels between ancient extinctions and modern ocean changes. Dr. Boyer has secured external funding from the National Science Foundation and the Petroleum Research Fund, producing extensive publications in professional journals. She collaborates closely with students on microplastic research in coastal environments and teaches courses including Historical Geology, Oceanography, and Dinosaurs!. Her fieldwork includes studies in the Bahamas and the Great Basin region of the U.S. Education: Ph.D., Geology, University of California, Riverside M.S., Geology, University of California, Riverside B.S., Geology, University of Delaware Research Interests: Dr. Boyer’s work integrates multiple disciplines to understand how marine ecosystems respond to environmental stressors. Her studies of Devonian black shales reveal dynamic paleoenvironments and the interplay between anoxia, trace fossils, and biotic crises. She explores mechanisms behind mass extinctions using innovative proxy combinations, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. Current projects include microplastic distribution patterns in beach sands and refining stratigraphic models for late Paleozoic events. Teaching & Advising: In addition to graduate supervision, Dr. Boyer advises undergraduate research projects, particularly in microplastic analysis. She teaches field courses in the Bahamas and lab-intensive modules on geochemistry and paleontology. Labs & Collaborations: Collaborations span institutions for multi-proxy studies of ancient oceans. Her lab focuses on trace fossil analysis, isotopic geochemistry, and sedimentological modeling.

• Paleontology
• Marine Geology
• Mass Extinctions
• +3 more