James Schiffbauer

James Schiffbauer holds the Marie M. & Harry L. Smith Endowed Professorship in Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri, where he directs the X-Ray Microanalysis Laboratory. His research investigates early animal evolution during the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition using paleobiological, geochemical, and advanced microscopy approaches.

Education: PhD (Virginia Tech), MS (University of Kansas), BS (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

Research examines taphonomic processes governing soft-tissue fossil preservation, with emphasis on early complex multicellular fossils. Analytical techniques include scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron-based X-ray tomography to resolve biological signals from preservational artifacts.

Recent publications explore Ediacaran 'death mask' preservation mechanisms, bilaterian gut evolution in cloudinomorphs, and Cambrian SPICE event biogeochemistry. Earlier work established micro-CT approaches for coprolite analysis and volcanological applications.

Awards:

• Marie M. & Harry L. Smith Endowed Professorship
• GSA Geobiology Division Pre-Tenure Award
• MU System President's Award for Early Career Excellence
• NSF CAREER Award

Teaches Environmental Geology, Geochemistry, and specialized courses on taphonomy and the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition. Directs the X-Ray Microanalysis Lab supporting interdisciplinary materials characterization.