Merlynd K Nestell

Merlynd K Nestell is a Full Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. He holds a PhD in Mathematics from Oregon State University (1966) and additional degrees in Geology and Mathematics. His academic career spans over five decades, including roles as Visiting Professor at St. Petersburg State University (1999) and prior faculty positions at UT Arlington from 1969 onwards.

Education:

• BA in Mathematics, Andrews University, 1957
• MA in Mathematics, University of Wisconsin Colleges, 1959
• PhD in Mathematics (Analysis), Oregon State University, 1966
• MA in Geology, Princeton University, 1977

Research Interests: Nestell specializes in micropaleontology, focusing on foraminifera, conodonts, and fusulinaceans. His work addresses biostratigraphy, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and Permian-Triassic boundary studies. He has contributed to understanding Middle Permian microfaunas in West Texas and global correlations of Tethyan biota.

Grants & Funding:

• ExxonMobil grants (2018–2019) for Biostratigraphy research
• ExxonMobil grant (2005) for rock sample analysis

Awards:

• Lifetime Achievement Award, UT Arlington College of Science (2020)
• Teacher of the Year, Mathematics Department (2018)

Key Contributions: Nestell has authored over 200 publications, including seminal works on Permian foraminiferal biostratigraphy, Guadalupian microfaunal correlations, and Permian-Triassic boundary events. He co-edited major volumes on Permian microfossil biostratigraphy and pioneered methods for analyzing microfossil internal structures.