Tara Selly

Tara Selly is a Research Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the X-ray Microanalysis Lab at the University of Missouri. She holds a PhD and MS in Geological Sciences from MU and a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College. Her research uses micro-CT and decay experiments to study Ediacaran fossil preservation and early animal evolution.

She investigates taphonomic pathways of 550-million-year-old organisms and replicates ancient ocean conditions through modern tissue decay studies. As lab manager, she oversees micro-CT and SEM services for geological and biological applications. Recent work includes taxonomic reassessment of Antarctic Cloudina and coprolite analysis from Cretaceous Kansas.