Find Academic Supervisors

• Phylogenetics
• Biogeography
• Plant Evolution
• +2 more

Andrew H. Thornhill is a Researcher at James Cook University specializing in plant phylogenetics and biogeography. His work employs molecular and spatial analyses to study eucalypt evolution, biodiversity patterns, and conservation prioritization. Key research includes reconstructing phylogenetic histories of Myrtaceae, developing biogeographic regionalization methods, and assessing climate change impacts on plant lineages. Collaborations span global biodiversity informatics, macroecology, and paleobotany. Publications introduce novel phylogenetic diversity metrics for conservation, investigate plant-insect coevolution, and analyze thermal niche evolution. Thornhill's continental-scale studies of Australian flora influence ecological theory and conservation policy.

• Biodiversity Conservation
• Climate Change Biology
• Ecology
• +3 more

Stephen E. Williams is a Professor at James Cook University, focusing on climate change impacts on biodiversity, particularly in tropical rainforest ecosystems. His research addresses species distribution shifts, climate refugia, and conservation strategies for vulnerable species. He has authored over 129 publications, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding biodiversity threats. Key research areas include climate-driven biodiversity loss, species distribution modeling, and ecosystem resilience. Collaborations span institutions globally, addressing topics like ant ecology, bird population dynamics, and microhabitat buffering against extreme temperatures. Williams' work highlights the urgency of conservation actions for tropical rainforests and montane species. His studies often integrate historical data with future projections to inform policy, such as the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan for Terrestrial Biodiversity.

Noel HeimView profile

Lecturer

• Paleobiology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Geology
• +5 more

Noel Heim is a Lecturer in the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences at Tufts University, School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on reconstructing Earth's marine biosphere history, integrating large databases like the Paleobiology Database and Macrostrat to analyze evolutionary and environmental processes across 600 million years. He emphasizes field studies and quantitative methods to understand ecological and physiological drivers of biodiversity changes, including modern anthropogenic impacts. Education: PhD (University of Georgia, 2008), MS (University of California Riverside, 2003), BS (University of Chicago, 2000). Postdoctoral training at Stanford University (2012–2019) and University of Wisconsin-Madison (2008–2011). Research interests span paleobiology, evolutionary ecology, and conservation biology. Current projects include predicting insect extinction risks using citizen science data, analyzing intertidal biodiversity shifts in the Pacific, and developing models of physiological habitat changes under climate warming. Publications (selected 15 most recent) highlight themes of body size evolution, mass extinction dynamics, and ecological selectivity. Advising includes high school and undergraduate researchers, with team alumni like Stephanie Lechki progressing to PhD programs. No explicit awards listed, but extensive peer-reviewed contributions reflect recognition in the field.

Glenn BrockView profile

Professor

• Cambrian Explosion
• Bilaterian Evolution
• Paleontology
• +3 more

Glenn Brock is a Professor at the School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University. His research focuses on the Cambrian Explosion, early bilaterian evolution, and biostratigraphy of Cambrian fossils. He specializes in Small Shelly Fossils (SSF) and brachiopod phylogeny, with fieldwork in Australasia, Antarctica, and South China. Research interests include the interplay between tectonics and early animal evolution, chronostratigraphic correlations of Cambrian sequences, and the application of multi-proxy geochemical methods. Key projects include resolving Cambrian continental positions and the Sinsk extinction event. Hosted academic visitors (e.g., Lars Holmer in 2017) Contributed to datasets on brachiopod allometry and glauconite geochronology Active in international collaborations on Gondwanan paleontology Recent work highlights include the 2024 Science Advances paper on tectonic triggers of the Sinsk event and 2024 Gondwana Research studies on Antarctic chronostratigraphy.

Roland MelzerView profile

Professor

• Zoology
• Marine Biology
• Arthropod Morphology
• +3 more

Prof. Roland Melzer is the Head of the Arthropoda varia Section at the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology (ZSM), affiliated with Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. His research focuses on arthropod morphology, marine zoology, and evolutionary biology, with a particular emphasis on Cambrian arthropods, fossilized sensory structures, and biodiversity patterns. His work integrates paleontology, comparative anatomy, and functional morphology, often employing advanced imaging and computational techniques. Leading expeditions to Chilean fjords and Adriatic marine environments to study benthic biodiversity Pioneering studies on arthropod eyes, larval development, and host-parasite interactions Co-editing journals like Spixiana and contributing to global biodiversity databases Research interests include the evolution of arthropod appendages, marine invertebrate biogeography, and the application of 3D kinematics to extinct species. His recent work highlights convergent evolution in fossilized visual systems and the ecological roles of mites in avian symbiosis. Over 200 publications span topics from Cambrian fossils to modern marine crustaceans, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches bridging paleontology, morphology, and biodiversity conservation.

Jon PitchfordView profile

Professor

• Mathematical Ecology
• Stochastic Processes
• Evolutionary Dynamics
• +2 more

Jon Pitchford is Professor of Mathematics and Biology at the University of York, holding a BSc from Nottingham and PhD from Leeds. His research integrates mathematical modeling with ecological and evolutionary theory, focusing on stochastic processes in biological systems. Research Focus: Mathematical ecology explores population dynamics under environmental variation, while circadian biology examines temperature compensation in plant clocks. Evolutionary studies model reproductive strategies, and infection dynamics research investigates pathogen spread through spatial statistics. Publication Synthesis: Recent work (2020-2025) demonstrates cross-scale modeling from molecular circadian networks to ecosystem biodiversity patterns. Key themes include: environmental variability effects on reproduction, pathogen evolution in host microenvironments, stability theory for ecological communities, and pandemic mortality estimation. Professional Activities: Currently supervises PhD candidates Joe Simpson (co-supervision) and Lisa Readdy. Leads interdisciplinary collaborations through the Mathematical Biology and Chemistry Research Group. Serves on editorial boards and organizes international conferences on ecological modeling.

Katie E. DavisView profile

Lecturer

• Palaeobiology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Biodiversity
• +3 more

Dr. Katie E. Davis is a Lecturer in Palaeobiology at the University of York’s Department of Biology. Her research focuses on evolutionary patterns and processes in biodiversity over deep time, integrating macroevolution and macroecology. She investigates how organisms respond to environmental changes, with particular interests in vertebrates, coral reefs, and insects. Key collaborations include projects on parrot conservation, dinosaur evolution, and disparity methods in palaeobiology. Her work emphasizes the role of the geological record as a natural laboratory for understanding climate-driven biodiversity shifts. Notable projects include studies on hermit crab diversification linked to global cooling and mosquito speciation tied to elevated CO2 levels. Methodologically, Davis develops phylogenetic supertrees and time-scaling techniques to reconstruct evolutionary histories. Teaching focuses on palaeobiology, ecology, and computational biology, emphasizing critical thinking and real-world problem-solving. Students explore topics like mass extinctions, climate change impacts, and vertebrate diversification through student-led activities and data-driven projects. Publications span over 20 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact works in Nature Communications and Communications Biology . Her research bridges past and present, offering insights into contemporary biodiversity challenges such as climate change and conservation prioritization.

Takehito IkejiriView profile

Academic

• Vertebrate Paleontology
• Paleobotany
• Macroevolution & Mass Extinctions
• +6 more

Takehito Ikejiri is an Instructor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama and a Research Associate at the Alabama Museum of Natural History. His research focuses on vertebrate paleontology, paleobotany, mass extinctions, and evolutionary developmental biology. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology (Paleontology) from the University of Michigan (2010) and has held roles including 'Dinosaur researcher' at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center (2005–2006). Education includes a B.S. and M.S. in Geology from Fort Hays State University (2001, 2005), an A.A. in General Science from Trinidad State Junior College (1999), and extensive postdoctoral and professional experience. His work spans Cretaceous-Paleogene and Late Devonian mass extinctions, shark trophic ecology, and microbial community dynamics during environmental crises. Research interests emphasize the interplay between paleoenvironmental changes and biodiversity loss, with a focus on isotopic and geochemical proxies. He has contributed to studies on sauropod ontogeny, mosasaur taxonomy, and Morrison Formation stratigraphy. His lab and fieldwork involve collaboration with institutions like the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology and the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Andrew HillView profile

Professor

• Human Evolution
• Paleontology
• Environmental Anthropology
• +3 more

Andrew Hill is the J. Clayton Stephenson Professor of Anthropology at Yale University, associated with the Peabody Museum's Division of Anthropology. He also served as Curator and Head of the Division of Anthropology, and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology. His affiliations included the Council on Archaeological Studies and the Council on African Studies. He earned a Ph.D. in 1975 from Bedford College, London University. His research focuses on human evolution within environmental and ecological contexts, with fieldwork in eastern Africa, Pakistan, and the UAE. He directed the Baringo Paleontological Research Project in Kenya’s Tugen Hills and co-led expeditions in Abu Dhabi. Notable works include Fossil Vertebrates of Arabia (1999) and contributions to the Journal of Human Evolution . His publications (2012–2013) emphasize primate evolution, rodent taxonomy, and UAE paleontology, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to understanding ancient ecosystems. Awards: AAAS Fellow (2009), Notable Alumnus (2012), Yale Teaching Excellence Prize (1994) He taught courses on human evolution, faunal analysis, and taphonomy. His grants and projects include the National Research Council’s human evolution committee, resulting in Understanding Climate’s Influence on Human Evolution (2010).

Martin RosvallView profile

Professor

• Complex Systems
• Network Science
• Information Theory
• +2 more

Martin Rosvall is a Professor at the Department of Physics (IceLab section) at Umeå University, with joint affiliation to Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). He leads research on information flows through social and biological systems, developing methods to simplify complex network interactions into interpretable maps. His work addresses critical questions about disease spread, plant stress responses, and biodiversity distribution with applications to sustainability challenges. Research focuses on: Network mapping techniques for complex systems Biogeographical patterns and climate regions Evolutionary transitions in fossil records Higher-order network modeling Recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on ecological and evolutionary applications of network science, with themes spanning from paleontological analyses to contemporary climate impacts on species distribution. Teaching includes coordination of the Design-Build-Test project course and Information Theory, Networks and Markets.

Alexandra RouillardView profile

Researcher

• Climate Change
• Paleolimnology
• Biogeochemistry
• +3 more

Alexandra Rouillard holds a postdoctoral position at Umeå University's Department of Ecology and Environmental Science and the Umeå Marine Sciences Centre (UMF). Her research focuses on long-term ecological and biogeochemical processes in northern ecosystems, employing paleolimnological, geochemical, and ancient eDNA techniques. She investigates climate change impacts such as Arctic methane dynamics, flood patterns, and land-sea carbon transfer in the Baltic Sea region. Current projects include studying terrestrial organic carbon transport funded by CTS, involving collaboration with Nick Kamenos, Jan Karlsson, and Cristian Gusdasz. Her work integrates large-scale datasets (GIS, remote sensing) to address global environmental challenges. Key contributions include uncovering 2-million-year-old ecosystems via eDNA and revealing Holocene vegetation shifts in Iceland. She has affiliations with the Biogeochemistry and EcoChange research groups, and her projects span from 2023 to 2025 focusing on Baltic Sea carbon sources and storage mechanisms. Rouillard’s publications demonstrate expertise in sedimentary DNA workflows, Arctic biota dynamics, and paleohydrology. She has conducted fieldwork in Greenland, Svalbard, and Australia, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental change analysis.

Nic MinterView profile

Associate Professor

• Palaeontology
• Sedimentology
• Behavioral Ecology
• +5 more

Dr. Nic Minter is an Associate Professor in Analytical and Experimental Palaeontology at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the School of the Environment and Life Sciences and the Department of Environmental Geography and Geosciences. He is a PhD supervisor and leads research at the intersection of palaeontology, sedimentology, and behavioural ecology, focusing on organism-substrate interactions to understand ecosystem evolution across geological time. His work addresses major events such as the Cambrian explosion, mass extinctions, and terrestrial colonization. Research Interests: Co-evolution of life and Earth systems, organism-sediment interactions, Cambrian explosion, bioturbation, and palaeoenvironmental analysis. Field Studies: Extensive work in globally significant sites like the Burgess Shale (Canada), Permian Robledo Mountains (New Mexico), and Cretaceous Dinosaur Coast (Korea). Publications: Over 45 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact studies in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Current Biology . Awards: Holder of 4 scientific prizes (specific names not listed). Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD students and leads projects in palaeontology and experimental ichnology. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with global networks, contributing to institutions like the Institute of the Earth and Environment.

• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife Trade Analysis
• Primate Conservation
• +7 more

Professor Vincent Nijman is a Professor in Anthropology at the School of Law and Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University. He leads modules in primate conservation and international conservation. His research focuses on human-induced disturbances on vertebrates, particularly primates, and spans biogeography, DNA-barcoding, and agroforestry. He is affiliated with the Ecology and Evolution Centre and the Nocturnal Primate Research Group (NPRG). Research Interests: Conservation biology with emphasis on primates and wildlife trade Impact of habitat fragmentation and illegal trade on biodiversity Agroforestry systems and biodiversity conservation Wildlife trade dynamics and policy effectiveness Publications highlight global challenges in primate conservation, illegal wildlife trade networks, and sustainable agroforestry practices. His work bridges ecological research with socio-economic dimensions of conservation. Notable Projects: Sustainable non-timber forest product initiatives in Indonesia, elephant population assessments in Namibia, and analysis of primate roadkill patterns globally.

• Critical Discourse Analysis
• Environmental Humanities
• Linguistics
• +3 more

Janine Aloe is a Junior Research Fellow at the Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Tartu, Estonia. She has held this position since February 2024, previously serving as a Research Fellow from February 2023. Her work bridges linguistic analysis with ecological and political discourse, focusing on media representations of environmental crises. Education: Master of Education, University of Münster (2018-2021) PhD Candidate in English Language and Literature, University of Tartu (2024-present) Dr. Aloe specializes in critical discourse analysis of endangerment narratives, examining how Anglophone media frames species extinction and climate emergencies. Her research integrates environmental humanities with semiotic modeling to decode cultural meanings of ecological loss, while investigating political emotions driving democratic responses to inequality. Current projects explore crisis ordinariness through interdisciplinary lenses spanning literature, visual media, and ecological theory. She contributes to major funded initiatives including the European Commission's €198,705 project on climate inequality and political emotions, and the Estonian Research Council's €760,450 study on endangered species semiotics. Her collaborative work with principal investigators Raili Marling and Timo Maran addresses discourse patterns in ecological crises through multi-methodological approaches. As part of Tartu's research ecosystem, Dr. Aloe participates in cross-institutional teams focusing on cultural representations of environmental emergencies, combining textual analysis with creative research methodologies to interrogate humanity's relationship with ecological fragility.

• Aquatic Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Fisheries Management
• +3 more

Brendan C. Ebner is a researcher affiliated with James Cook University's TropWATER research center. His work focuses on aquatic ecology, conservation biology, and the behavioral and ecological dynamics of freshwater and marine species. He has contributed to studies on fish migration, habitat use under climate change, endangered species conservation, and the impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems. Key research interests include the behavior of species such as sawfish, morays, and turtles, as well as the effects of environmental stressors like habitat degradation and climate extremes. His interdisciplinary approach combines field observations, remote monitoring technologies, and experimental studies to address ecological and conservation challenges. Recent publications highlight trends in studying species responses to climate change, the importance of flow regimes for fish reproduction, and innovative methods for assessing biodiversity using underwater video and telemetry. Ebner collaborates extensively with institutions like CSIRO and international researchers, addressing global issues such as invasive species control and freshwater ecosystem management.