Noel Heim

Noel Heim is a Lecturer in the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences at Tufts University, School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on reconstructing Earth's marine biosphere history, integrating large databases like the Paleobiology Database and Macrostrat to analyze evolutionary and environmental processes across 600 million years. He emphasizes field studies and quantitative methods to understand ecological and physiological drivers of biodiversity changes, including modern anthropogenic impacts.

Education: PhD (University of Georgia, 2008), MS (University of California Riverside, 2003), BS (University of Chicago, 2000). Postdoctoral training at Stanford University (2012–2019) and University of Wisconsin-Madison (2008–2011).

Research interests span paleobiology, evolutionary ecology, and conservation biology. Current projects include predicting insect extinction risks using citizen science data, analyzing intertidal biodiversity shifts in the Pacific, and developing models of physiological habitat changes under climate warming.

Publications (selected 15 most recent) highlight themes of body size evolution, mass extinction dynamics, and ecological selectivity. Advising includes high school and undergraduate researchers, with team alumni like Stephanie Lechki progressing to PhD programs. No explicit awards listed, but extensive peer-reviewed contributions reflect recognition in the field.