Sterling Nesbitt

Sterling Nesbitt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech's College of Science. Born on March 25, 1982, in Mesa, Arizona, he is a prominent American paleontologist known for his extensive work on archosaur evolution and the origins of dinosaurs. Dr. Nesbitt maintains multiple research affiliations with prestigious institutions including the American Museum of Natural History, the Vertebrate Paleontology Lab at The University of Texas at Austin, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and the National Museum of Natural History.

Dr. Nesbitt's research focuses on paleontology, particularly the evolutionary patterns of archosaurs during the Triassic period. His work spans multiple continents, examining fossil records from Tanzania, Madagascar, the southwestern United States, and other global locations. He has made significant contributions to understanding the early diversification of archosaurs, the relationships between dinosaurs and their closest relatives, and the ecological dynamics of Triassic ecosystems. His research often involves detailed morphological analyses, phylogenetic studies, and examinations of how major extinction events shaped vertebrate evolution.

With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and more than 7,700 citations, Dr. Nesbitt's work has appeared in top scientific journals including Nature, Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. His research shows a consistent focus on identifying new species, reconstructing evolutionary relationships, and understanding the biogeographic patterns of early archosaurs and dinosaurs.

Dr. Nesbitt has mentored numerous students and collaborated with researchers worldwide. His work has been supported by various grants that have enabled extensive fieldwork and laboratory analyses. He has also contributed to public education through appearances in documentaries such as 'Dinosaurs Alive!' and 'Walking With Dinosaurs.'