Human-Proboscidean Interaction Professors and Supervisors

Matthew J. O'Brienمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

California State University, ChicoUnited States

Matthew J. O'Brien is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at California State University, Chico, where he also serves as Graduate Coordinator, Co-Coordinator of the Certificate in Cultural Resource Management, and Director of the Archaeological Research Program (ARP). His academic journey includes a B.A. in Anthropology & Economics from St. Lawrence University (2000), an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Wyoming (2006), and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico (2013). Education: B.A., St. Lawrence University (2000) Education: M.A., University of Wyoming (2006) Education: Ph.D., University of New Mexico (2013) O'Brien's research focuses on the archaeology of North American hunter-gatherers, spanning over 99% of human prehistory. He employs zooarchaeology, lithic analysis, GIS, and quantitative methods to interpret behavior from spatial patterns in the archaeological record. His projects include the social organization of communal hunting via food sharing, co-directing the Dukha Ethnoarchaeological Project in northern Mongolia, excavations at the La Prele Mammoth site in Wyoming, and Great Basin land-use studies in Nevada. His work bridges ethnoarchaeological observations with prehistoric site analysis, emphasizing spatial organization and subsistence strategies. O'Brien's publications highlight spatial analysis of mobile societies (e.g., Clovis and Folsom cultures), zooarchaeological methods, and ethnoarchaeological studies of the Dukha reindeer herders. His recent fieldwork in the Great Basin investigates Holocene subsistence shifts, while his directorship of ARP involves compliance partnerships and CRM training. Notable trends include interdisciplinary collaboration and methodological innovation in lithic and faunal analysis.

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Todd Surovellمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of WyomingUnited States

Todd Surovell is a Professor of Archaeology and Director of the George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Wyoming's Department of Anthropology. He specializes in hunter-gatherer archaeology, focusing on the colonization of the Americas and Paleoindian cultures. His research integrates mathematical modeling, computer simulation, and geoarchaeological methods to explore human demography, subsistence, and technology. Surovell holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1995) and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona (1999, 2003). His work spans field projects in Colorado, Wyoming, and internationally, including studies in Mongolia and Israel. Key research areas include Folsom and Clovis site analysis, Pleistocene extinctions, lithic technology, and human behavioral ecology. Notable projects include excavations at Barger Gulch (Folsom campsite) and the La Prele Mammoth site (Clovis occupation), as well as ethnoarchaeological studies with Dukha reindeer herders in northern Mongolia. Publications highlight contributions to understanding Paleoindian chronology, site formation processes, and the relationship between human behavior and archaeological patterning. Surovell teaches courses on geoarchaeology, quantitative methods, and Old World archaeology, emphasizing analytical rigor and interdisciplinary approaches. His research frequently addresses debates surrounding North American colonization and the role of human activity in megafaunal extinctions. Current projects include analysis of the La Prele site, studies on stemmed vs. fluted point chronology, and ongoing investigations into Clovis technology and subsistence strategies. Surovell's work bridges theoretical archaeology with empirical fieldwork, contributing to both regional and global understandings of human prehistory.

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David Byersمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

Utah State UniversityUnited States

David Byers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology at Utah State University, within the School of Social Sciences. He is based in Logan, Utah, and holds a PhD in Anthropology (Zooarchaeology) from the University of Utah (2006), an MA in Anthropology from the University of Wyoming (2001), and a BS in Industrial Supervision from Purdue University (1988). His research focuses on zooarchaeology, paleoecology, and human-environment interactions during the Holocene and Late Pleistocene. Key areas include stable isotope analysis, upland and alpine archaeology of the Western U.S., coastal foragers of Jamaica, and human interactions with megafauna such as mammoths and bison. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana, and has contributed to numerous cultural resource inventories and technical reports. Dr. Byers teaches core archaeology courses including ANTH 2330 (Principles of Archaeology), ANTH 5320/6320 (Zooarchaeology), and ANTH 6350 (Archaeological Theory). He has mentored over a dozen graduate students in anthropology and related fields, guiding them in lithic analysis, faunal studies, and archaeological theory. His publication record includes over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and 4 book chapters. The most recent research trends reflect a strong emphasis on faunal morphology, subsistence strategies, and environmental change. Articles span topics from cranial variability in canids to Folsom-era mammoth hunting, bison diminution, and prehistoric cold storage practices, showcasing a methodologically rigorous and geographically diverse research program. Species-Specific Responses of Late Quaternary Megafauna to Climate and Humans (Nature, 2011) Stable Isotope Chemistry, Population Histories and Late Prehistoric Subsistence Change in the Aleutian Islands (JAS, 2011) Heat Treatment, Ozarks Cherts and Prehistoric Toolstone Use in Southwest Missouri (American Antiquity, 2014) Cranial variability in North American domestic and wild canids (JASR, 2024) Dr. Byers has served as principal investigator on multiple field projects and cultural resource surveys, often in collaboration with federal agencies like the BLM and US Forest Service. His lab work integrates zooarchaeological analysis, GIS, and quantitative methods, supporting both graduate training and publication. He continues to lead field schools and independent studies in archaeology, contributing to the training of the next generation of anthropologists.

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Claudio Latorreمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC)Chile

Claudio Latorre is a Professor at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he directs the Paleoecology and Paleoenvironment Laboratory. His research focuses on reconstructing climate and ecological dynamics in arid ecosystems over the past 50,000 years, with primary fieldwork concentrated in the Atacama Desert. His research integrates sediment analysis, plant/animal remains identification, stable isotope analysis, and paleogenomics to investigate spatial and temporal ecosystem dynamics. Key areas include rodent paleoburrows, paleowetlands, and archaeological shell middens as proxies for past climate variability, human-environment interactions, and biodiversity responses to hydrological changes. His work provides critical baselines for conservation under current climate change. Analysis of his publication trends reveals consistent focus on Quaternary paleoenvironmental reconstruction using multi-proxy approaches. Dominant themes include Late Pleistocene megafauna dynamics, human colonization impacts, coastal upwelling variability, and hyperarid ecosystem resilience. His methodologies increasingly incorporate paleogenomics and high-resolution metabolomics to decode plant adaptation mechanisms in extreme environments. Latorre actively collaborates with Chile's major research networks including the Millennium Institute of Integrative Biology (IBIO), Institute of Ecology & Biodiversity (IEB), and Center for Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES). His laboratory serves as a hub for interdisciplinary paleoenvironmental research spanning archaeology, climatology, and conservation biology.

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Juha Saarinenمشاهده پروفایل

استادیار

University of HelsinkiFinland

Juha Saarinen is an Assistant Professor of evolutionary paleontology and Academy Research Fellow at the Department of Geosciences and Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki. His research focuses on the functional traits of large herbivorous mammals across the last 66 million years, examining how dental and postcranial bone traits, body size, and diet reflect changes in climate and environments. As a Docent, he teaches courses in the Paleontology and Global Change master's programme and supervises Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD theses. Dr. Saarinen's primary research interests include mammal ecomorphology, paleoecology, ecometrics, and the evolutionary history of proboscideans and other large herbivores. His work explores how functional traits in fossil mammal communities serve as indicators of past environmental conditions, particularly vegetation changes. He has developed expertise in mesowear analysis, body size evolution studies, and quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstruction methods. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on ungulate evolution, dental ecometrics, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction across different geological periods and regions, from South America to Europe. His research often employs comparative approaches across continents and integrates fossil evidence with climate data to understand evolutionary responses to environmental change. Best PhD thesis in Geosciences (2015-2016) Academy Research Fellow position from Academy of Finland Dr. Saarinen serves as the body mass estimate data coordinator for the NOW database of fossil mammals and has supervised numerous graduate students. His current research projects include NEPA (Non-analogue ecosystems in the past) and studies on the behavioral and morphological adaptation of African Neogene to Quaternary Proboscidea. He has conducted extensive fieldwork and academic visits to institutions across Europe, Africa, and South America.

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Daniel Fisherمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of Michigan-Ann ArborUnited States

Professor Daniel Fisher is affiliated with the University of Michigan's Department of Geological Sciences and serves as a Curator at the Museum of Paleontology. His research focuses on Pleistocene proboscideans (mammoths and mastodons), integrating paleontology, archaeology, and stable isotope analysis to explore their biology, ecology, and interactions with early humans. He has contributed to key discoveries such as evidence of mastodon hunting in the Pacific Northwest and the analysis of mammoth calf mummies. His work spans field expeditions in Siberia, Alaska, and North America, combining anatomical, geochemical, and genetic approaches. Fisher regularly engages with the public through lectures like the Saturday Morning Physics series, emphasizing interdisciplinary connections across physics, chemistry, and biology in paleontological research. Notable research includes reconstructing mammoth migration patterns, hormonal cycles (e.g., musth behavior), and dietary habits using tusk growth records and isotopic data. His studies often address broader questions about climate change impacts on species and human adaptation in prehistoric environments. He has led collaborations on high-profile projects like the Snowmastodon Site in Colorado, yielding insights into late Pleistocene ecosystems. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his publications indicate significant contributions to paleobiology and Quaternary science. Advising and grants are not detailed in the provided text, but his extensive publication record suggests active research mentorship. His affiliation with the Museum of Paleontology highlights involvement in collections curation and public outreach. Current work likely continues to explore proboscidean paleoecology and human-early megafauna interactions.

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David Kilbyمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Texas State UniversityUnited States

Dr. David Kilby is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Texas State University. His research focuses on the archaeology of early North American hunter-gatherers, particularly the Paleoindian period (Clovis and Folsom cultures), and their interactions with Pleistocene environments. He directs the Ancient Southwest Texas Project (ASWT), conducting fieldwork in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands, including excavations at Bonfire Shelter and Eagle Cave. His work integrates lithic technology, geoarchaeology, and spatial analysis to understand caching behaviors, mobility patterns, and subsistence strategies. Kilby holds a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico (2008), an M.A. from Eastern New Mexico University, and a B.A. from Appalachian State University. Key research themes include Clovis caching systems, the transition from Clovis to Folsom traditions, and the use of lithic networks to trace social and technological connections. He has published extensively on topics such as proboscidean hunting, radiocarbon chronologies, and the peopling of the Americas. Kilby also contributes to Cultural Resource Management and has edited volumes on Clovis caches and Blackwater Draw geoarchaeology. Recent field projects include the Mockingbird Gap Clovis site in New Mexico and ongoing investigations at Bonfire Shelter, exploring controversial bison jumps and bonebed formation. His work challenges alternative hypotheses about early human occupation timelines and advocates for rigorous evaluation of pre-Clovis claims, as seen in critiques of the Chiquihuite Cave interpretation. Teaching responsibilities include courses on archaeological theory, geoarchaeology, Southwest prehistory, and CRM methods. Kilby’s research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending archaeology with geology, ecology, and statistics to reconstruct prehistoric lifeways.

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Alan Osbornمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of Nebraska at OmahaUnited States

Dr. Alan Osborn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha's College of Arts and Sciences. He also serves as Curator of Anthropology at the University of Nebraska State Museum, overseeing artifact collections and public engagement initiatives. BA in Anthropology and Geology (1970), University of Missouri MA (1974) and PhD (1977) in Anthropology, University of New Mexico His research focuses on Great Plains archaeology, specializing in Paleoindian adaptations during climatic shifts like the Younger Dryas Cold Event. Key interests include prehistoric diet analysis, equestrian adaptations among Native Americans, and high-altitude cooking technologies. Publications demonstrate expertise in North American prehistory, with particular emphasis on lithic technology (Clovis sites), paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and ethnobiological applications. Recent work explores intersections between climate stressors and cultural innovation. Outstanding Research Award (2016) Service Award (2017) With 45 years of University of Nebraska service, he has directed the Nebraska Archaeological Survey, taught 22 distinct anthropology courses, and coordinated major museum projects including the Native American gallery revisions and the "First Peoples of the Plains" exhibit.

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Daniele Silvestroمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

ETH ZurichSwitzerland

Daniele Silvestro is a researcher at ETH Zürich's Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, working within the Computational Evolution group based in Basel, Switzerland. His research spans evolutionary biology, computational methods, and biodiversity science, with a focus on developing and applying novel analytical approaches to understand macroevolutionary patterns. Dr. Silvestro's research interests center on evolutionary biology and computational approaches to understanding biodiversity patterns through time. His work bridges micro- and macroevolutionary scales, with particular emphasis on phylogenetic methods, speciation processes, and the integration of fossil data with molecular phylogenies. He applies machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze large-scale biodiversity datasets, addressing questions about species diversification, extinction dynamics, and ecological interactions across deep time. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward computational innovation in evolutionary biology, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence methods to tackle complex questions in biodiversity science. His work spans multiple biological systems, from plant-soil interactions to mammalian evolution, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach that combines theoretical modeling with empirical data analysis. Dr. Silvestro collaborates extensively with researchers across institutions and disciplines, contributing to major initiatives such as the 2030 Declaration on Scientific Plant and Fungal Collecting. His research has significant implications for biodiversity conservation, particularly in understanding how species and ecosystems respond to environmental change. His work on computational methods, including software development like DeepDiveR, demonstrates a commitment to creating practical tools for the broader scientific community. His research group at ETH Zürich appears to focus on developing and applying cutting-edge computational approaches to evolutionary questions, emphasizing the importance of integrating multiple data sources and analytical frameworks.

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