Carol Dehler is a Professor and Undergraduate Mentor at the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Utah State University, specifically within the Geosciences Department. Her research focuses on Neoproterozoic and Cambrian geological systems, including stratigraphy, isotope geochemistry, and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Research Interests: Dehler investigates evolutionary escalation in Cambrian biota, oxygen's role in early animal evolution, Bayesian age modeling for chronostratigraphy, and the geobiology of Snowball Earth deposits. Her work connects geological processes to Earth system evolution, biodiversity dynamics, and pre-glacial environmental changes. Publications: Recent studies include high-precision U-Pb detrital zircon dating, carbon isotope stratigraphy of the SPICE and DICE events, and collaborative US-China research on Proterozoic functional biodiversity. She also explores microbialite reefs in the Tonto Group and organic-walled microfossils in Precambrian shales. Methodologies: Utilizes tandem in situ and isotope dilution U-Pb dating, Re-Os geochronology, and LA-ICP-MS geochemical analysis to resolve stratigraphic and tectonic questions across western Laurentia, the Grand Canyon, and Death Valley regions.
David Keller Jacobs is a Professor and Vice Chair of Outreach and Infrastructure at UCLA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. His research integrates molecular biology, paleontology, and environmental science to explore evolutionary processes. Key focuses include resolving conflicts between molecular and fossil data regarding the Cambrian Explosion, studying sensory organ evolution in basal animals like jellyfish, and investigating how physical processes like sea-level changes shape biodiversity. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining genetic analyses with ecological and geological data. Notable projects include documenting the origins of California's marine fauna linked to historical upwelling events and discovering cryptic species in estuaries using molecular tools. The Jacobs Lab at UCLA is renowned for its synthetic methodology in evolutionary biology, bridging molecular genetics, developmental biology, and paleontology. Research Themes: Evolutionary genetics, marine biodiversity, ancient DNA, cnidarian development, climate-driven speciation Field Sites: California coasts, French Polynesia, Gulf of California Key Findings: Molecular clocks vs. fossil records in Cambrian timing, sensory evolution in early animals, estuarine genetic divergence mechanisms Publications highlight innovations in eDNA processing, genome sequencing of endangered species like the tidewater goby, and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Despite no listed awards, his impactful contributions to evolutionary biology are evident in high-impact interdisciplinary studies. Ongoing work explores epigenetic mechanisms in early animal evolution and the historical ecology of coastal ecosystems.
Blair Schoene is a Professor of Geosciences at Princeton University, affiliated with the High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI). His research focuses on geochronology, volcanism-climate interactions, and mass extinction events. He uses advanced isotopic techniques to study magmatic processes and their environmental impacts. Key areas include Deccan Traps volcanism, lunar formation, and Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary events. Schoene's work bridges field observations with laboratory analyses to understand Earth's deep-time evolution. Research interests include geochronology, mass extinctions, igneous petrology, and continental evolution. Notable contributions involve refining the timing of Deccan Traps eruptions and linking them to dinosaur extinction. His studies on lunar zircons have advanced understanding of early solar system chronology. His publications emphasize high-precision U-Pb dating techniques, magma dynamics, and paleoclimatic reconstructions. Collaborative projects address global geologic processes like continental-ocean-atmosphere interactions and tectonic evolution. Schoene has pioneered methodologies for analyzing zircon grains and apatite, contributing to improved geochronological accuracy.
Dr. Mark Sutton is a Professor in Palaeontology at the Department of Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College London, within the Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on palaeobiology, evolutionary processes, and computational techniques in Earth Sciences, including three-dimensional fossil reconstruction and applications of artificial intelligence. He holds affiliations with the Grantham Institute and the Life past and present initiative. Education: BA from Churchill College, Cambridge (1992), PhD from University of Wales, Cardiff (1996). Professional roles include Senior Lecturer (2009–present) and Lecturer (2005–2009) at Imperial College. His work integrates virtual palaeontology tools such as SPIERS, advancing methodologies for fossil analysis. He has supervised PhD student Dominic Bennett (2013) and contributed to notable studies on Silurian Lagerstätten, including discoveries of fossilized soft tissues and parasitic relationships. Research interests span evolutionary biology, computational modelling, and the application of advanced imaging to understand ancient life. His contributions to understanding arthropod evolution, mollusc anatomy, and fossil preservation have been widely recognized. Sutton’s lab and collaborations emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to paleontology and geoscience.
Zunli Lu is the Thonis Family Professor of Low-Temperature Geochemistry and Earth System Evolution at Syracuse University's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences. His research integrates geochemical analyses to study Earth's environmental evolution, focusing on ocean-atmosphere-climate interactions and their impacts on biosphere development. He leads interdisciplinary projects on mass extinctions, ocean oxygenation, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Education: Ph.D. (2008), M.S. (2005) in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Rochester, and B.S. (2002) from Nanjing University. Research interests include paleo-redox proxies (e.g., I/Ca), mass extinction mechanisms, and environmental responses to climate change. He has advised numerous doctoral students (e.g., Ashley Prow, Kristina Gutchess) who have gone on to prestigious postdoctoral positions. Recent grants include a $2M NSF Frontier grant to study mass extinction causes via multi-proxy modeling. Teaching focuses on oceanography, geochemical modeling, and Earth systems at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Service includes roles on the Provost’s Promotion Committee and NSF review panels. His work bridges geochemistry, paleontology, and Earth systems modeling, with field projects across marine and continental environments.
Shane Schoepfer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources at Western Carolina University. His work focuses on sedimentary geochemistry, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and the biogeochemical processes driving mass extinction events and recovery phases. He holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Space Sciences from the University of Washington, along with a BA and MS from Brown University. Education: Ph.D., University of Washington, Earth and Space Sciences BA, Brown University MS, Brown University Research Interests: Dr. Schoepfer specializes in understanding Earth's environmental history through geochemical analysis of sedimentary records. His key areas include: Redox conditions in ancient oceans and their links to mass extinctions Nitrogen and carbon cycling across major geological boundaries Early animal evolution and paleoceanographic changes in the Iapetus Ocean Depositional processes in coastal and continental margin settings Recent work emphasizes high-resolution studies of the Permian-Triassic and Triassic-Jurassic mass extinctions, using techniques like XRF core scanning and isotopic analysis to trace environmental perturbations. His publications reveal recurring themes of ocean anoxia, nutrient limitation, and volcanic impacts on marine ecosystems during critical evolutionary transitions.
Woodward W. Fischer is a Professor of Geobiology in the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He holds a B.A. from Colorado College (2000), a Ph.D. from Harvard University (2007), and an honorary doctorate (D.h.c.) from Colorado College. His research focuses on the coevolution of life and Earth surface environments, particularly through the lens of historical geobiology. Key areas include the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis, the rise of atmospheric oxygen, and the geochemical and paleoenvironmental records of ancient Earth and Mars. Education: B.A., Colorado College, 2000 Ph.D., Harvard University, 2007 D.h.c., Colorado College (honorary) Research Interests: Historical Geobiology Oxygenation History of Earth Iron Formation Mechanisms Lipid Biomarkers Martian Sedimentary Records His work integrates field geology, geochemical analysis, and experimental microbiology to address fundamental questions about Earth's past environments and the origins of life. Grants & Advising: Fischer leads major initiatives like VORTEX-SE and collaborates on NASA-funded Mars research. He advises graduate students and postdocs in geobiology and planetary science, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Earth and other planets. Labs & Teams: The Fischer Group at Caltech conducts fieldwork globally, including studies in Oman, South Africa, and Mars (via rover data analysis). They use cutting-edge techniques like clumped isotope analysis and genomic sequencing to decode ancient environmental signals.
Dr. Jörg Maletz is a Researcher at Freie Universität Berlin's Institute of Geological Sciences, specializing in paleontology with a focus on graptolites and Ordovician geology. He holds a Ph.D. (1992) and Habilitation (1998) in Geology & Paleontology from TU Berlin and Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald. His work integrates sedimentological, stratigraphic, and paleontological methods to study colonial organisms like graptolites, their evolutionary origins, and their role in paleoecosystems. Key research areas include the Cambrian Explosion, colonial hemichordate evolution, and the application of graptolites in sequence stratigraphy. Maletz has conducted fieldwork globally, including Scandinavia, North America, and China, and supervised numerous graduate students. His grants include DFG support for studies on pterobranch evolution and NSF funding for Re-Os dating projects. He has authored over 150 publications, focusing on graptolite taxonomy, biostratigraphy, and evolutionary biology.
Dr. Michael Buratovich is a Professor in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at Spring Arbor University (SAU), a Christian liberal arts institution in Michigan. His scholarly work bridges evolutionary biology, genomics, and bioethics, with particular focus on critiquing intelligent design while exploring theological implications of scientific discoveries. Chair of the Biochemistry Department Editorial contributions to medical reference works like Magill’s Medical Guide Research areas span: Evolutionary genetics of the Cambrian explosion Non-intelligent design arguments in human genomics Anticancer properties of flavonoids Ethical implications of stem cell research Science-religion interface in education His publications demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise combining molecular biology with theological analysis, particularly in: Origin-of-life challenges Gene regulation mechanisms Medical applications of metallorganic compounds Philosophical critiques of Dawkins' neo-Darwinism While no explicit awards are listed, his scholarship includes: Coauthoring significant cancer research reviews Contributing to national science education debates Developing Christian perspectives on biomedical ethics Dr. Buratovich has mentored students through works like The Stem Cell Epistles , while collaborating with researchers across disciplines in: Phytoestrogen studies Metallorganic chemotherapy agents Paleontological genetics
Tais Wittchen Dahl is an Associate Professor of Geobiology at the University of Copenhagen, holding dual appointments at the Globe Institute (Section for Geobiology) and the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (Geology). Her research focuses on reconstructing Earth's climate and oxygenation history through geochemical experiments, observations in the rock record, and theoretical Earth system modeling, with particular emphasis on the co-evolution of life and Earth's environment. Education: PhD in Geochemistry, University of Copenhagen (2005-2009) MSc in Geophysics, University of Copenhagen (2004-2005) BSc in Physics, University of Copenhagen (2000-2004) Dahl's research interests span biogeochemistry, geobiology, isotope geochemistry, environmental science, planetary science, and geology. Her work centers on understanding the co-evolution of life and Earth's environment, particularly focusing on oxygenation events throughout Earth's history and their relationship to biological evolution. She has made significant contributions to our understanding of metal-silicate mixing during planetary accretion, molybdenum isotope composition in ancient oceans, and the impact of early land plants on Earth's oxygen levels. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Earth's oxygenation history, with particular emphasis on the Cambrian and Devonian periods. Her work often combines geochemical analyses (particularly molybdenum and uranium isotopes) with paleontological data to reconstruct ancient ocean conditions and their relationship to evolutionary events. A recurring theme is the investigation of marine anoxia events and their impact on biogeochemical cycles throughout Earth's history, with methodological innovations in trace metal analysis. Scientific Awards: Adjunct Professor at China University of Geosciences, Wuhan (2019) ERC Starting Grant Interview, Panel PE10 (2016) Inge Lehmann's Scholarship for research visit at University of Exeter (2013) Member of the board, Young Academy, Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters (2012) Villum Young Investigator Programme (2013) Carlsberg Distinguished Associate Professor Fellowship (2017) Dahl has supervised numerous students including MSc Julius Havsteen, MSc Sune F. Månsson, and others. Her research has been supported by significant grants including the Carlsberg Distinguished Associate Professor Fellowship (2017), Villum Foundation Young Investigator Grant (2013-15), and multiple grants from the Danish Council for Independent Research. She has organized EarthTalks bi-weekly seminars through Geocenter Danmark (2017-19) and received infrastructure funding from the Carlsberg Foundation (2015). Dahl leads a highly cross-disciplinary research group that bridges planetary sciences, climate science, and geophysics with geochemistry. Her team collaborates with research groups nationally and internationally, reflecting the global nature of Earth system science. Her work has been published in top journals including Nature Geoscience, PNAS, and Earth and Planetary Science Letters, and has generated significant public interest through press releases and media appearances.
Lars Holmer is a Professor in Historical Geology and Palaeontology at Uppsala University's Department of Earth Sciences, specializing in Palaeobiology. He also serves as Director at Campus Management Organisation for Campus Lagerträdet. With an extensive publication record spanning decades, his research primarily focuses on brachiopods and early animal evolution during the Cambrian period and beyond. Professor Holmer's research centers on resolving the origin and earliest phylogeny of brachiopods and other lophophorates through detailed paleobiological investigation of their oldest fossil remains. His work combines traditional paleontological methods with molecular and morphological studies of living forms to understand evolutionary patterns across geological time. His research has particularly focused on Cambrian brachiopods, their morphology, phylogeny, and ecological adaptations throughout Earth's history. His publication record reveals a consistent focus on brachiopod evolution across multiple geological periods, with particular emphasis on Cambrian and Ordovician specimens. Holmer's work spans multiple continents including Sweden, China, Antarctica, Australia, and North America, demonstrating extensive international collaboration. His research frequently examines exceptional fossil preservation sites (Lagerstätten) that provide crucial insights into early animal evolution and biomineralization processes. As Director of Campus Management Organisation for Campus Lagerträdet, Professor Holmer also contributes to the administrative leadership of Uppsala University's campus facilities, balancing academic research with institutional responsibilities.
