معرفی
Victor Perez is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Environmental Studies Department at St. Mary's College of Maryland, specializing in paleontology, coastal geology, and STEM education. His research focuses on deciphering Earth's dynamic history through the study of ancient marine ecosystems, particularly the evolution and ecology of sharks and rays.
Dr. Perez earned his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences with minors in Zoology and Science Education from the University of Florida in 2020, and his B.S. in Earth Sciences with a minor in Mathematics from The Ohio State University in 2013. His academic journey began with fossil collecting along the Calvert Cliffs in southern Maryland, which sparked his passion for paleontology.
As a paleontologist, Dr. Perez specializes in the evolution and ecology of sharks and rays, exploring how biotic and abiotic factors drive extinction and diversification in marine ecosystems. He leverages the abundant fossil record of shark teeth, which provides valuable information about taxonomy, diet, and environmental conditions due to their durable enamel composition, high replacement rate, and 450-million-year evolutionary history. His research also examines active geologic processes along the Calvert Cliffs to understand their impact on fossil preservation and modern aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, he integrates artificial intelligence with paleontology, developing machine learning models for classifying fossil shark teeth.
Dr. Perez's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on shark evolution, particularly the megatooth shark lineage including Otodus megalodon. His research spans multiple disciplines including paleontology, geology, marine biology, and educational technology. Recent work has expanded into AI applications in paleontology and the integration of STEM education with fossil studies.
Dr. Perez serves as a co-PI on a National Science Foundation ITEST grant that introduces middle school students to artificial intelligence using fossil shark teeth. Through this project, he develops curricula where students create machine learning models capable of classifying images of fossil shark teeth.
As a STEM educator, Dr. Perez actively engages in undergraduate and K-12 education, as well as community outreach. He creates and evaluates educational programs that engage diverse audiences in inquiry-driven learning. His work includes training citizen scientists in paleontology through initiatives like the Belgrade PaleoBlitz, which connects amateur paleontologists with professional researchers.
Dr. Perez leads research projects examining the active geologic processes along Calvert Cliffs, which drive oxide mineralization and impact fossil preservation, cliff erosion, and modern coastal habitats. His work suggests these processes may serve as analogs for understanding geologic processes on Mars. He also maintains active collaborations with the Florida Museum of Natural History and participates in fieldwork across the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the eastern United States.
