معرفی
John D. Orcutt is an Associate Professor of Biology at Gonzaga University, where he integrates biological and geological evidence to investigate mammal evolution in response to environmental changes through deep time. His work bridges paleontology and modern ecological challenges.
His academic credentials include:
- Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, 2011
- M.Sc. in Palaeobiology, University of Bristol, 2007
- B.A. in Ecology & Evolution, University of Chicago, 2003
Research focuses on paleobiological responses to climate change, with specialized expertise in rodent and carnivoran evolution. He directs the MEAT (Morphology and Ecology Across Time) Lab, which examines body size evolution in small carnivorans, paleoenvironments of Northwest marine mammals, and Miocene ecosystem dynamics in the Inland Northwest. His methodology combines fossil analysis with modern comparative data to reconstruct ancient behaviors and ecological relationships.
Current projects include reconstructing Olympic Peninsula/Vancouver Island marine mammal habitats, studying burrowing evolution in ground squirrels at the Pendleton Miocene site, and developing improved mass estimation models for extinct carnivorans. Fieldwork is planned for summer 2025 at the Pendleton locality to expand undergraduate research opportunities.
