Laura Jane Cotton

Laura Jane Cotton serves as an Associate Professor and Curator of Palaeontology at The Natural History Museum, University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on the interactions between shallow marine ecosystems and climate change over the last 65 million years (Cenozoic era), with particular expertise in larger benthic foraminifera (LBF). As a curator, she maintains and studies fossil collections while conducting cutting-edge research in paleoceanography and climate science.

Dr. Cotton's research interests center on using invertebrate fossils, geochemistry, and modern physiological data to understand how shelf ecosystems respond to major climate perturbations. Her specialty lies in larger benthic foraminifera—single-celled organisms with calcareous shells that can reach sizes greater than 10 cm in diameter. These organisms live in warm shallow seas and harbor symbionts similar to corals, making them excellent indicators for examining how reef-type environments have responded to past climate events. Her work spans multiple temporal and geographic scales, integrating diverse paleontological and geochemical approaches.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on Cenozoic climate change impacts, with particular attention to foraminiferal responses across major climate transitions. Her research bridges traditional paleontology with modern geochemical techniques, creating innovative approaches to reconstruct past environmental conditions. She frequently collaborates internationally, with research spanning locations from Denmark and Iran to Indonesia and Hawaii, demonstrating the global scope of her paleontological investigations.

Dr. Cotton maintains an active research program with numerous recent publications in high-impact journals including Palaeontology, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, and Journal of Paleontology. Her work has garnered significant attention in the scientific community, with multiple papers receiving notable citations and downloads.

As a curator and educator, Dr. Cotton bridges the gap between museum collections and academic research, ensuring that fossil specimens are both preserved for future study and actively used in contemporary climate research. Her dual role allows her to connect historical collections with modern analytical techniques, providing valuable insights into long-term ecological and climatic patterns.