Kevin J. Peterson

Kevin J. Peterson is a full-time Professor at Dartmouth College, affiliated with the Department of Biological Sciences, the Ecology, Evolution, Ecosystems and Society Graduate Program, and serves as an Adjunct Professor in Earth Sciences. His research focuses on the evolutionary origins of animal body plans during the Cambrian explosion and the role of microRNAs in developmental and evolutionary biology.

• Education: B.A. from Carroll College, Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles

His work spans molecular paleobiology, phylogenetics, and eco-evolutionary dynamics, with a recurring emphasis on miRNA evolution and genomic innovations. Recent publications highlight miRNA databases (MirGeneDB 2.0/2.1), octopus brain complexity, and ecological drivers of evolutionary change.

He is associated with the NASA Astrobiology Institute and contributes to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of genetics, ecology, and paleontology. Contact: Kevin.J.Peterson@dartmouth.edu | kevin.j.peterson@dartmouth.edu