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.
Ziming Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) , with additional affiliations in Data Science and Robotics Engineering. He previously held research roles at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) and Boston University. PhD in Computing (2013) from Oxford Brookes University , UK MS in Computing Science (2010) from Simon Fraser University , CA BS in Computer Science and Technology (2005) from Northeastern University , China Research interests span computer vision , machine learning , and their applications in point cloud processing , medical imaging , autonomous driving , and IoT . He leads the Vision, Intelligence, and System Laboratory (VISLab) at WPI. Recent publications focus on 3D reconstruction , hyperbolic learning , and robust classifiers . Awards include the R&D100 Award 2018 and NSF funding for data-efficient deep learning. PhD Students: Yecheng Lyu (co-supervised), Guojun Wu (co-supervised), Hangrui Zhang, Xuechu Yu Master's Students: Yun Yue, Yuping Shao Visiting Scholars: Fangzhou Lin His lab partners with industry and academic institutions, focusing on autonomous systems , robotics , and scientific imaging projects.
Daniel Rabosky is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan, where he also serves as Curator at the Museum of Zoology. His research program spans macroevolution, speciation dynamics, and phylogenetic comparative methods, with particular expertise in Australian reptiles and squamate evolution. Rabosky maintains an active laboratory and is currently seeking new graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to join his research team. Rabosky's research interests focus on macroevolutionary patterns and processes, particularly the connections between microevolutionary dynamics and large-scale biodiversity patterns. His work integrates phylogenetic comparative methods with ecological and morphological data to understand speciation processes, adaptive radiations, and the evolutionary dynamics of reptile communities, especially Australian skinks. He has made significant contributions to methodological developments in evolutionary biology through software tools like BAMM (Bayesian Analysis of Macroevolutionary Mixtures) and BAMMtools for analyzing evolutionary rate heterogeneity across phylogenetic trees. Analysis of Rabosky's recent publication record reveals a strong focus on evolutionary theory, methodological development, and empirical studies of reptile diversification. His work spans theoretical macroevolution, phylogenetic comparative methods, Australian herpetology, and the connections between population-level processes and macroevolutionary patterns. The research demonstrates increasing integration of genomic data with traditional morphological and ecological approaches, reflecting broader trends in evolutionary biology. Rabosky actively mentors graduate students including Matheus Januário and Tristan Schramer, and supervises postdoctoral fellows Michael Harvey, Jonathan Mitchell, Sonal Singhal, and Rudolf von May. His laboratory receives research funding supporting multiple projects in macroevolutionary dynamics, with recent grants likely supporting work on the connections between metapopulation ecology and speciation rates, as evidenced by his 2025 Ecology Letters paper. The Rabosky Lab maintains a strong presence in both theoretical and empirical evolutionary biology, with particular strengths in phylogenetic methods development, squamate reptile evolution, and the interface between micro- and macroevolution. The lab actively collaborates with researchers across institutions and contributes to major initiatives like the openVertebrate project for 3D imaging of museum specimens.
Uwe Bergmann is the Martin L. Perl Endowed Professor in Ultrafast X-Ray Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Physics. His research leverages advanced X-ray techniques to study nonlinear phenomena, real-time chemical reactions, and structural changes in both biological and material systems, with a focus on photosynthesis and ancient cultural heritage. PhD in Physics from Stony Brook University Former affiliations: National Synchrotron Light Source, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, Linac Coherent Light Source, Stanford PULSE Institute His work spans ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy, synchrotron methods, and the development of novel instruments like the X-FAST tabletop spectrometer. Research themes include: Photosynthetic water oxidation mechanisms using femtosecond X-ray crystallography Electronic and structural dynamics in 2D materials and metalloenzymes Imaging ancient fossils and manuscripts with X-ray techniques Advancing X-ray laser and synchrotron instrumentation Recent publications highlight attosecond X-ray pulses, catalysis under extreme conditions, and structural intermediates in photosystem II. His work intersects physics, chemistry, and paleobiology. Scientific recognition includes the Martin L. Perl Endowed Professorship. He leads the Bergmann Research Group, mentoring graduate students and postdocs in ultrafast X-ray science.
California State University, FullertonUnited States
Danielle C. Zacherl is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at California State University, Fullerton. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a BA from Brown University. Her research focuses on marine ecology, particularly larval behavior, population connectivity, restoration ecology, and marine invertebrates, with a strong emphasis on the Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida). The Zacherl Lab has conducted long-term restoration projects since 2010 and population monitoring since 2005, addressing ecological challenges in coastal ecosystems. Her work integrates molecular, ecological, and oceanographic approaches to understand larval dispersal and species conservation. Key contributions include studies on larval vertical migration in gastropods and genetic mechanisms influencing population structure. Current projects prioritize science-based restoration strategies for native oyster populations and intertidal habitat recovery. Advising includes mentoring student researchers (listed above) on projects ranging from larval settlement dynamics to molecular taxonomy. The lab’s interdisciplinary approach bridges fieldwork and laboratory analysis, contributing to both academic and applied ecological outcomes.
Chet C. Sherwood is a Professor of Anthropology at George Washington University (GW) and a core faculty member of the Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology (CASHP). He also directs the National Chimpanzee Brain Resource and is affiliated with the GW Mind-Brain Institute. His research focuses on evolutionary neuroscience, particularly brain evolution in primates and other mammals, emphasizing how brain structure relates to behavior, development, and genetics. Education: Ph.D. (2003), M.A. (1998, 1996), and B.A. (1995) from Columbia University, with an additional M.A. from New York University (1996). Teaches courses such as ANTH 1001: Biological Anthropology and ANTH 3413: Evolution of the Human Brain. Research interests include comparative neuroanatomy of the cerebral cortex, human brain evolution relative to other primates, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cognitive evolution. He explores how brain differences across species correlate with ecological and behavioral traits, leveraging neuroimaging, transcriptomics, and fossil reconstruction techniques. Recent work investigates aging-related brain changes in primates and elephants. Notable achievements include membership in the National Academy of Sciences (2021) and the AAAS Fellowship (2022). His lab’s studies on chimpanzee brain plasticity and the genetic basis of primate cognition have advanced understanding of human uniqueness and shared evolutionary traits. Chet’s interdisciplinary collaborations span paleontology, genomics, and neuroscience, with a focus on bridging evolutionary and medical insights. His leadership in the National Chimpanzee Brain Resource underscores his commitment to advancing comparative neurobiology through resource development and ethical research practices.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
Dr. Michael Alfaro is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA, where he leads the UCLA Alfaro Lab. His research focuses on understanding evolutionary dynamics of organismal diversification, particularly in marine fishes. He employs interdisciplinary approaches combining evolutionary morphology, molecular phylogenetics, and theoretical evolution to explore patterns and mechanisms of morphological and functional diversity. Education: Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago (2000) M.A. in Biology, Humboldt State University (1995) B.A. in Dramatic Arts, University of California, Davis (1989) Research interests emphasize the interplay between morphological diversity and ecological/functional dynamics. Notable themes include the drivers of diversification in marine lineages, the role of physiological traits in lineage success, and the integration of computational tools for large-scale phenotypic analysis. Alfaro has contributed to advancements in phylogenetic methodology and genomic resources for studying fish evolution. His work bridges macroevolutionary theory with empirical data, often leveraging crowdsourced phenotypic data and bioinformatics tools like Sashimi and Charisma for high-throughput analysis. The lab actively engages in collaborative projects addressing biodiversity patterns and evolutionary mechanisms across marine and terrestrial systems. Grants and advising activities are central to his academic contributions, though specific details are not detailed in the provided text. The UCLA Alfaro Lab collaborates internationally, emphasizing both basic research and applied conservation contexts.
Christopher Seminack is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis (IESA) within the University of North Georgia. His expertise lies in coastal geology, geomorphology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy, with a focus on barrier island systems and tidal inlet dynamics. He teaches courses including GEOL 4110K - Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy , GEOL 3300K/GEOG 3300K - Process Geomorphology , and foundational geology topics. Education: Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University (2016), M.S. in Geology from Temple University (2011), and B.A. in Geology from La Salle University (2007) Dr. Seminack's research analyzes the geologic framework of coastal environments, particularly storm impacts on barrier islands and tidal inlet dynamics. He employs techniques such as aerial photography analysis, remote sensing, geophysical surveying, sediment coring, and geochronology. His work also intersects with climate change and sea-level change studies. Recent publications highlight his focus on wave-dominated tidal inlets, Holocene barrier-island geology, and GPR imaging of biogenic structures. His professional experience includes a Postdoctoral Scholar role with the National Park Service and George Mason University (2016), and prior field geologist work at Gould Environmental (2007-2009). He contributes to environmental education and outreach initiatives at IESA, aligning with his interest in ancient coastal environments preserved in the rock record.
State University of New York at BuffaloUnited States
Derek J. Taylor is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo (College of Arts and Sciences), specializing in evolutionary biology and molecular evolution. His research focuses on the evolutionary genetics of aquatic invertebrates, particularly cladocerans (e.g., Daphnia species), and integrates molecular, genomic, and phylogenetic approaches to study speciation, hybridization, species introductions, and paleovirology. He leads the Taylor Lab, which explores topics such as viral evolution in insects and microbats, and the evolutionary history of freshwater crustaceans. Education: PhD in Biology from the University of Guelph, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan. Research Interests: Molecular evolution of species complexes, host-virus coevolution, phylogeography, and the evolutionary maintenance of viral genes in host genomes. His work bridges genetics, ecology, and systematics to address questions in evolutionary biology. Key contributions include studies on filovirus evolution in bats, the phylogenetics of Daphnia species, and the origins of biodiversity in Holarctic freshwater ecosystems. His lab’s findings have been published in journals like Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , Virus Evolution , and Ecography . Contact: Hochstetter Hall H530, Buffalo, NY | Office Hours: Thursdays 2:00–4:00 PM.
Dr. Nathan Sheldon is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan (U-M), part of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). His research focuses on paleoclimatology, environmental biogeochemistry, and biosphere-environment interactions. He leads the Geobiology Research in Terrestrial Systems (GRiTS) lab, which integrates geochemical analyses, stable isotope studies, and modeling to explore Earth’s climate history. Dr. Sheldon’s work emphasizes reconstructing ancient CO2 levels, paleoclimate dynamics, and microbial ecosystems. Education: PhD in Geological Sciences, University of Oregon (2003) BA in Geology, Carleton College (1999) Research Interests: Environmental Biogeochemistry Climate Change and Paleoclimate Geochemical proxies for paleoenvironmental reconstruction Microbialite formation and early Earth systems His lab investigates terrestrial and lake sediment records to understand long-term climate shifts and biosphere interactions. Awards: 2020 AAAS Fellow for contributions to paleosol-based CO2 reconstructions Advising & Labs: Dr. Sheldon mentors students in graduate and undergraduate programs. His GRiTS lab operates from facilities in the North University Building (labs 3501 and 5565). Research includes collaborative projects like the Cenozoic CO2 Proxy Integration Project (CENCO2PIP), aiming to synthesize atmospheric CO2 histories. Key Locations: The lab is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg peoples. Dr. Sheldon’s global fieldwork includes sites in Iceland, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands.
Susan C. Anton is the Julius Silver, Roslyn S. Silver, and Enid Silver Winslow Professor of Anthropology and Vice Dean for Inclusive Excellence Education at New York University's College of Arts and Science. She holds a PhD (1994), MA (1991), and BA (1987) from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on physical anthropology, skeletal biology, and the evolution of Homo , with fieldwork in Asia and the Pacific. She co-authored a landmark 2014 Science paper on early Homo evolution and directs the NYU MA program in Biological Anthropology. Antón’s work bridges fossil morphology, ecology, and behavior. Recent projects include analyzing Koobi Fora fossils in Kenya and leading the 'Bones and Behavior' research group. She serves as President-Elect of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists and co-chairs its Committee on Diversity. Her publications span textbooks, peer-reviewed articles on Homo erectus dispersal, and interdisciplinary studies of human adaptation. Antón’s academic leadership includes guiding students in the MA program and fostering inclusive excellence initiatives. She collaborates globally, notably with the Koobi Fora Research Project and the Bones and Behavior Working Group.
Sara Pruss is the Esther Cloudman Dunn Professor of Geosciences at Smith College, where she has established herself as a leading researcher in geobiology and paleontology. Her work focuses on critical transitions in Earth's history, particularly mass extinctions and the evolution of early life forms. She maintains an active research program that combines field work, laboratory analysis, and theoretical approaches to understand the complex interactions between life and Earth's environments through geological time. Education: Ph.D., University of Southern California M.S., University of Southern California B.S., University of Rochester Professor Pruss's research spans several interconnected areas within geobiology and paleontology. Her primary focus is on understanding mass extinction events, particularly the end-Permian extinction and Cambrian-Ordovician transitions. She investigates how these events affected marine ecosystems and the subsequent recovery patterns. Her work on Neoproterozoic carbonates and early animal evolution has provided important insights into the environmental conditions that facilitated the emergence of complex life. Professor Pruss also examines microbial sedimentary structures and their implications for interpreting ancient environments. Her research often combines detailed field observations with geochemical analyses to reconstruct paleoenvironments and understand the taphonomic processes that affect fossil preservation. Analysis of Professor Pruss's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on critical transitions in Earth's history. Her work spans the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary, the Cambrian-Ordovician transition, and the Permian-Triassic extinction. A recurring theme is the relationship between environmental changes (particularly oxygenation and redox conditions) and biological evolution. Her research increasingly incorporates geochemical proxies like mercury chemostratigraphy to identify potential volcanic triggers for extinction events. The geographical scope of her work is global, with field sites in North America, Scotland, Namibia, and the Arctic. Scientific Awards: Outstanding Contributions to Geobiosciences by the Society for Geobiology and Geomicrobiology (2014) Sherrerd Prize for Distinguished Teaching by Smith College (2015) Professor Pruss has mentored numerous undergraduate students through her research lab at Smith College. Several of her former students, including Katie Castagno, Jana Burke, Kelsey Moore, Sophie Westacott, and Kiara Gomez, have gone on to earn PhDs from prestigious institutions like MIT, Yale, and Woods Hole. Her research has been consistently supported by major funding agencies including the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society. Beyond her research mentorship, Professor Pruss has been actively involved in programs aimed at supporting underrepresented women in STEM fields, demonstrating her commitment to inclusive excellence in science education. Professor Pruss leads an active research laboratory at Smith College that combines field, laboratory, and analytical approaches to geobiological research. Her lab has produced numerous publications with undergraduate co-authors, reflecting Smith's strong emphasis on undergraduate research. The lab's work often involves international collaborations with researchers from institutions around the world. Current research directions include investigating the relationship between oxygenation and early animal evolution, studying microbial influences on sedimentary structures, and examining the environmental triggers for major extinction events throughout Earth's history.
Gale M. Sinatra is a Professor at the Rossier School of Education and jointly appointed in the Psychology Department at the University of Southern California . Her research focuses on conceptual change learning , science education , and public understanding of science , particularly around controversial topics like climate change and evolution. PhD, MS, BS in Psychology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst Her recent publications explore refutation texts , epistemic emotions , and sustainability education , with a 2021 co-authored book Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It . Awards include National Academy of Education membership (2022), AERA Sylvia Scribner Award (2020), and Fellowships in APA and AERA. She has served as President of APA Division 15 and Associate Dean for Research at Rossier. NSF Grant (2018) for Augmented Reality in Paleontology Education Mattel Children’s Foundation Grant (2014) for Speedometry Program SSHRC Grant (2014) for Epistemic Belief Change Research
Steven R. Manchester is the Curator of Paleobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology. He holds a Ph.D. in Paleobotany from Indiana University (1981), with additional degrees from Oregon State University. His research focuses on angiosperm evolution, particularly Northern Hemisphere families, integrating fossil evidence with modern phylogenetics. He has authored over 200 publications, including studies on Eocene floras, Cretaceous-Paleogene transitions, and collaborative projects across North America, Europe, and Asia. Notable work includes discoveries of extinct plant families and Arctic fossil walnuts. Manchester’s research emphasizes multi-organ paleobotanical analyses, linking flowers, fruits, leaves, and wood to modern phylogenies. He has described new genera like Remberella and Pogonokardion , and his fieldwork spans regions from the High Arctic to the Tibetan Plateau. His educational contributions include courses in Paleobotany, Palynology, and Plant Geography. Publications highlight studies on fossil floras from India, Peru, and the U.S., with recent focus on Cretaceous angiosperm origins and Eocene dispersal patterns. His work bridges paleobotanical data with modern biogeography, illuminating plant evolution across major geological epochs.
Gideon Hartman is an Associate Professor in the Anthropology Department at the University of Connecticut, where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of paleoenvironmental reconstruction, plant and animal eco-physiology, anthropology, and archaeology. His work primarily employs stable isotope methods to reconstruct past environments, human mobility patterns, paleodiets, and ancient economic systems. Dr. Hartman received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2008. His educational foundation in anthropology and archaeological science has enabled his innovative approach to stable isotope analysis. Rather than treating isotopic values as static markers, he investigates the mechanisms causing variability in stable isotope ratios as they move along foodwebs from soil and atmosphere to plants and then to animals and humans. Hartman's research program uniquely begins in the contemporary world to establish principles that can be reliably applied to archaeological settings. His work spans diverse geographical regions including the Eastern Mediterranean, Levant, Jordan Valley, and Armenian Highlands, with temporal coverage from the Middle Pleistocene to the Early Bronze Age. He has made significant contributions to understanding how environmental factors like water availability, temperature, and soil conditions affect isotopic signatures in modern ecosystems, creating robust models for archaeological interpretation. His publication record demonstrates consistent productivity in high-impact journals, with research trends showing increasing sophistication in multi-isotope approaches applied to complex archaeological questions about pastoralism, trade networks, human migration, and human-environment interactions. His work increasingly integrates zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical, and geochemical evidence to build comprehensive pictures of past societies. As director of the Stable Isotope Preparation Lab at UConn, Hartman leads a research team that processes and analyzes samples from archaeological sites worldwide. His laboratory serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration between archaeologists, anthropologists, geoscientists, and biologists seeking to apply isotopic methods to their research questions. His work has been instrumental in refining methodologies for interpreting strontium, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotope data in archaeological contexts, particularly regarding animal and human mobility patterns in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
