معرفی
Sam Giles is a Professor of Palaeobiology at the University of Birmingham, affiliated with the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. She holds roles as Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow and Academic Keeper (Research) of the Lapworth Museum of Geology. Her research focuses on the anatomy, relationships, and macroevolution of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic fossil fishes, employing CT scanning to study vertebrate anatomy. She contributed to major revisions in understanding gnathostome, osteichthyan, and teleost origins.
Education:
- 2015 – PhD, University of Oxford
- 2011 – MSci Geology, University of Bristol
Research Interests:
Giles investigates vertebrate palaeontology, particularly fossil fish evolution. Her work integrates advanced imaging techniques with evolutionary biology to address questions about vertebrate body plan innovations and clade diversification. Key themes include:
- Evolutionary transitions in bony vertebrates
- CT-based anatomical reconstruction
- Phylogenetic relationships of early vertebrates
Awards:
- Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellowship (2018–present)
- Fellow of the Geological Society of London (2019–present)
Advising & Grants:
Giles supervises undergraduate dissertations and contributes to modules like Y3 Field Skills and Y4 Advanced Projects. She leads the Equator Project Research School promoting equity in geoscience recruitment. Her research is supported by fellowships and collaborations with institutions like the Natural History Museum, London.
Labs & Teams:
She directs the Palaeobiology Research Group at Birmingham and collaborates with international teams on fossil CT scanning and evolutionary analyses. Her work leverages museum collections (e.g., Lapworth Museum) for research and public engagement.
