Find Academic Supervisors

• Paleontology
• Vertebrate Paleontology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Torsten Scheyer is an Adjunct Professor of Paleontology at the Palaeontological Institute, University of Zurich, where he serves as Vice-Director. His research focuses on the osteology, histology, and evolutionary morphology of Mesozoic marine reptiles, including turtles, ichthyosaurs, placodonts, and archosauromorphs. He specializes in Triassic-Jurassic transitional ecosystems and the functional anatomy of fossils. Research Themes: Marine reptile evolution, bone histology, cranial development, and paleoecology. Recent Work: Investigates osteoderms, neck elongation, and dental adaptations in Triassic taxa, leveraging advanced imaging techniques like synchrotron microtomography. Scientific Context: Collaborates on global studies of Lagerstätten and contributes to systematic revisions of key clades (e.g., Tanystropheidae, Placodontia).

Jean-François RubinView profile

Professor

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

Prof. Jean-François Rubin is a Professor at the Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne. His research focuses on ecological studies of aquatic species, including turtle diet analysis, fish health monitoring, and invasive species management. He has contributed to projects involving metabarcoding techniques, environmental impact assessments, and conservation strategies for endangered species. Education: PhD Thesis Direction: Supervised Charlotte Ducotterd's thesis on European pond turtle ecology (2020). Research Interests: His work spans conservation biology, aquatic ecology, and environmental monitoring. Key areas include the application of molecular methods for diet analysis, long-term ecosystem dynamics, and mitigating threats from invasive species like Procambarus clarkii. Publications: Rubin's publications (2012-2021) highlight trends in molecular ecology, conservation strategies for freshwater species, and environmental health assessments. Notable works include studies on turtle feeding behavior and brown trout disease correlations. Grants & Labs: Active in interdisciplinary research groups within the Department of Ecology and Evolution, contributing to projects like the ERC/SNSF grants mentioned on the department page. Collaborates with teams focused on evolutionary biology and environmental monitoring.

Robert BainesView profile

Professor

• Robotics
• Soft Robotics
• Adaptive Morphogenetic Systems
• +4 more

Dr. Robert Baines holds the Professorship for Robotic Systems at ETH Zürich, leading research in adaptive morphogenetic robots, soft robotics, and amphibious robotic systems. His work emphasizes material science integration, reconfigurable mechanisms, and environmental adaptability. Key research areas include morphing limb design, tensegrity robots, and reproducible soft robotics methodologies. His research focuses on developing robots capable of evolving on demand through modular architecture and self-reconfiguration, with applications in multi-environment navigation. He has pioneered studies on inflatable actuators, tensile jamming fibers, and bio-inspired designs for amphibious locomotion. Baines also advocates for standardized testing protocols in soft robotics to ensure reproducibility and cross-laboratory collaboration. Notable contributions include the RoboWrangler rope-based grasping system and the amphibious robotic turtle demonstrating aquatic-to-terrestrial transitions. His work bridges mechanical engineering, materials science, and artificial intelligence to create robust, context-aware robotic systems. Current projects explore variable stiffness mechanisms, multi-modal sensing, and energy-efficient morphing systems. Baines collaborates with industry partners to translate theoretical advancements into deployable robotic solutions for challenging environments.

• Paleontology
• Turtle Evolution
• Fossil Morphology
• +3 more

Walter Joyce is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. His research focuses on turtle paleontology, evolutionary morphology, and phylogenetic systematics with an emphasis on Mesozoic and Cenozoic taxa. He specializes in the study of fossil turtle anatomy using advanced imaging techniques like CT scanning, and has made significant contributions to understanding turtle phylogeny, biogeography, and morphological evolution. Key research interests include: Fossil turtle systematics Anatomical evolution of turtle shells and skulls Phylogenetic relationships of major turtle clades Integration of morphological and molecular data Historical biogeography of reptiles Publications demonstrate expertise in: Cretaceous-Paleogene turtle diversity Mesozoic turtle faunas of Europe and North America Evolutionary transitions in turtle morphology Methodological innovations in fossil description His work bridges paleontology and comparative anatomy, with frequent use of 3D modeling and quantitative morphometric analyses. Current research includes projects on turtle phylogeny refinement and fossil turtle ecology.

• Turtle Evolution
• Vertebrate Paleontology
• Comparative Anatomy
• +5 more

Serjoscha Evers is a Researcher in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He holds a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford (2018) and works on an SNSF-funded project investigating turtle evolution under Prof. Joyce's group. His research employs digital 3D anatomy and phylogenetic methods to study morphological evolution in turtles, focusing on transitions to marine lifestyles and form-function relationships. Evers has a strong background in vertebrate paleontology, with expertise in CT scanning and comparative osteology. Educational Background: B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Geological Sciences (LMU & TUM, Munich, Germany) D.Phil. in Paleontology (University of Oxford, 2018) Research Focus: Evers' work bridges paleontology and anatomy, emphasizing: Phylogenetic reconstruction of turtle lineages Evolutionary patterns in morphological change Neuroanatomical adaptations in reptiles Ecological transitions in aquatic reptiles Publications Trends: Recent articles highlight: 3D-based re-evaluation of fossil turtles (e.g., Nichollsemys , Saxochelys ) Functional morphology of turtle mandibles and skulls Comparative analyses of turtle ear and carotid systems Evolutionary relationships of spinosaurids and other theropods Grants & Collaborations: Current SNSF project on turtle evolution. Collaborates with international institutions (e.g., Oxford, Munich, Brazilian researchers) on fossil digitization and phylogenetic studies. Labs/Teams: Member of Prof. Walter G. Joyce's research group at University of Fribourg, focusing on chelonian evolution and digital paleontology.