Macroevolutionary Transitions Professors and Supervisors

Jürgen Kriwetمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of ViennaAustria

Prof. Jürgen Kriwet is a full professor in the Department of Palaeontology at the University of Vienna. His research focuses on the evolution of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), functional morphology, and Mesozoic-Cenozoic biodiversity patterns. He teaches courses such as 'Phylogenetic Systematics of Vertebrates' and 'Evolution and Palaeobiology of Dinosaurs.' His work integrates paleontological, morphological, and phylogenetic approaches, with recent studies emphasizing Jurassic-Cretaceous sharks, the extinct Otodus megalodon, and the ecological drivers of chondrichthyan diversification. He has contributed extensively to understanding durophagous shark evolution and the biogeographic history of marine vertebrates. Teaching responsibilities include both lectures (e.g., 'Biology' and 'Current Advances in Earth Sciences') and advanced research projects in paleobiology. His research spans fieldwork in Antarctica, France, and Ukraine, with a focus on Lagerstätten sites preserving exceptional fossil records. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining fossil analysis with computational modeling to explore body size evolution, habitat use, and macroevolutionary patterns. Collaborative projects include studies on Eocene Antarctic shark communities and the origins of lamniform sharks.

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Huai-Hsuan Huangمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

Princeton UniversityUnited States

Huai-Hsuan (May) Huang is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton University's Department of Geosciences, affiliated with The Deutsch Research Group and The Zhang Research Laboratory. Their research focuses on climate variability and ecosystem responses through deep-time analysis of marine sediment records, particularly using ostracod microfossils. Key areas include paleoclimate dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, and the intersection between abiotic and biotic Earth system components. Research interests span paleobiology, paleoceanography, and biogeochemistry with a focus on high-resolution marine records. Notable projects include studying oxygen depletion impacts, Paleogene subduction initiation effects on Zealandia, and tropical biodiversity hotspots across the Cenozoic. Huang has contributed to International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions, such as Expedition 371 exploring Tasman Frontier subduction processes. Recent work emphasizes database development (BioDeepTime) for biodiversity time series, Arctic Ocean species migration during glacial periods, and the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum's ecological impacts. Their publications bridge geological timescales to modern environmental challenges, offering predictive insights for current climate change scenarios.

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David Hembryمشاهده پروفایل

استادیار

James Madison UniversityUnited States

David Hembry is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at James Madison University, joining in 2024. He holds a PhD in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from UC Berkeley (2012) and a BA in Biology from Harvard University (2003). His research focuses on the evolution and ecology of species interactions, particularly mutualistic and parasitic associations between leafflower plants (Phyllanthaceae) and leafflower moths (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Epicephala). His work spans tropical and temperate regions, including active field projects in Texas, Puerto Rico, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. He is supported by NSF and JMU funding, and his lab emphasizes phylogenetic approaches, species interaction networks, and coevolutionary dynamics. Education: PhD, Environmental Science, UC Berkeley, 2012 BA, Biology, Harvard University, 2003 Research Interests: Dr. Hembry investigates how ecological interactions drive evolutionary processes and biodiversity. His lab’s model system explores the coevolutionary history of leafflower plants and their specialist moths, addressing questions about mutualism stability, host shifts, and biogeographic patterns. Key themes include: Coevolutionary mechanisms shaping species diversification Biogeographic dynamics of island ecosystems Phylogenetic methods to disentangle ecological interaction histories Recent Research Trends: His publications highlight coevolutionary dynamics, the macroevolutionary impacts of species interactions, and the role of ecological networks in biodiversity maintenance. Recent work emphasizes cryptic pollinator systems and the evolutionary consequences of mutualism-parasitism transitions. Grants & Funding: NSF grants supporting fieldwork in the Pacific Islands and Neotropics JMU internal funding for lab establishment and student training Labs & Collaborations: The Hembry Lab collaborates with researchers globally on island biogeography, phylogenetics, and coevolution. Key partners include James Ackerman, Ulrich Mueller, and Elvia Meléndez-Ackerman. The lab currently offers MS positions in evolutionary ecology and biogeography.

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Trond Sigurdsenمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of Southern CaliforniaUnited States

Trond Sigurdsen is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Biological Sciences Department at the University of Southern California. Originally from Norway, he holds a PhD from McGill University. His research focuses on vertebrate evolution, combining traditional anatomical methods with modern technologies like CT scanning and phylogenetic analysis. Key interests include the evolutionary origins of major vertebrate groups, functional anatomy, and the transition to endothermy in mammals and birds. Research highlights include studies on Enantiornithine birds from China (collaborating with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County), phylogenetic analysis of therocephalians, and comparative analyses of avian wing evolution. He has published extensively on topics such as amniote origins and the functional morphology of early salientians. His work bridges paleontology and anatomy through innovative methodologies, integrating fossil morphology with computational techniques. Current projects include database-driven analyses of avian wing disparity and investigations into synapsid-to-mammal transitions using high-resolution imaging.

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Brian Atkinsonمشاهده پروفایل

استادیار

University of KansasUnited States

Dr. Brian Atkinson is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Curator of Paleobotany at the University of Kansas, specializing in the macroevolutionary patterns and relationships of seed plants. His research focuses on Mesozoic and Cenozoic conifers and flowering plants, particularly using fossil evidence to reconstruct evolutionary histories. He is affiliated with the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB), where he contributes to graduate education and oversees the Atkinson Lab. Key research areas include the Cretaceous diversification of asterids, the evolution of cornalean fruits, and the paleobiogeography of conifers. His work frequently integrates anatomically preserved fossils with modern phylogenetic methods to address questions about plant diversification and extinction events. Recent projects explore the origins of dogwoods (Cornus) and the early radiation of the Meliaceae family. Publications span over a decade, with notable contributions to American Journal of Botany , Annals of Botany , and International Journal of Plant Sciences . His research has expanded understanding of Gondwanan plant dispersal, Cretaceous-Paleogene floral transitions, and the macroevolutionary dynamics shaping modern plant diversity. Dr. Atkinson collaborates with institutions globally, including the Royal Botanical Gardens and Hokkaido University, and maintains an active fossil collection at the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. His lab focuses on anatomical, morphological, and molecular approaches to paleobotanical research, with ongoing projects in Antarctica, North America, and Japan.

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Emma Sherrattمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

The University of AdelaideAustralia

Associate Professor Emma Sherratt holds a dual role as Associate Professor/Reader in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Adelaide, where she leads the Quantitative Morphology Group. She is also Director of Science Programs, overseeing curriculum development for Bachelor of Science and Honours programs. Her research focuses on morphological evolution using 3D imaging techniques (microCT, laser scanning) to study museum specimens, particularly reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. She co-authored the geomorph R package and continues to innovate in morphometric methods. Key roles include Academic Transition Panel membership and editorial positions at Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society . Awards include an ARC Future Fellowship and Royal Society of South Australia Fellowship. Supervision spans undergraduate to PhD levels, with projects in developmental biology, paleontology, and ecology. The Quantitative Morphology Group explores macroevolutionary patterns in morphological diversity. Recent grants include ARC Future Fellowship support. Publications emphasize ecomorphological adaptations, domestication impacts, and evolutionary transitions in vertebrate morphology.

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Kelly Matsunagaمشاهده پروفایل

استادیار

University of KansasUnited States

Dr. Kelly Matsunaga is the Thomas N. Taylor Assistant Professor and Assistant Curator in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas, part of the Biodiversity Institute. Her research focuses on plant evolution, phylogeny, and diversity through integrative approaches combining paleobotany, histology, X-ray tomography, and phylogenetics. She investigates how plant form and diversity have evolved over time, particularly in groups like conifers, palms, and lycophytes, using both living and fossil specimens. Education: Botany, Humboldt State University, 2012 Biology, Humboldt State University, 2014 Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 2019 Research Interests: Her work bridges paleobotany and modern plant biology, emphasizing the complementary roles of fossils and living organisms in understanding macroevolutionary patterns. Key topics include conifer evolution, palm systematics, and developmental mechanisms like polar auxin transport in land plants. Labs/Teams: Her lab is part of the Biodiversity Institute’s Division of Paleobotany, established in 1888 with extensive fossil collections. She collaborates internationally on projects like Cretaceous-Paleogene flora studies and conifer reproductive morphology.

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Adrian Villastrigo Carbajoمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of León (ULE)Spain

Adrian Villastrigo Carbajo is a Professor at the University of León , affiliated with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management . His research focuses on Zoology , with an emphasis on evolutionary patterns in aquatic insects. Education : PhD in Zoology from the Universitat de Barcelona (2019). Thesis: Macroevolutionary patterns of habitat transitions in aquatic Coleoptera . Research Group : ADIBECO (Animal Behavior, Conservation, and Diversity). Scientific Awards : Distinguished Professor

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Moran Yehuمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

The Hebrew University of JerusalemIsrael

Prof. Moran Yehu is a Professor at the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, affiliated with the Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences. He leads the Department as its elected head. His research focuses on molecular evolution, particularly in cnidarians, exploring microRNA roles, venom evolution, and antiviral systems. He holds a BSc (Tel Aviv University), MSc (Biochemistry, Tel Aviv University), and PhD (2010, Tel Aviv University), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Vienna. His lab investigates cnidarian development, toxinology, and RNA pathways, contributing to understanding evolutionary mechanisms in complex systems. Research Interests: - MicroRNA regulation in cnidarian development - Evolution of venom and toxin delivery systems - Antiviral immunity in basal metazoans - Ion channel evolution and function Recipient of the ERC Consolidator Grant (2019) for studying antiviral systems in cnidarians. Leading projects on cnidarian viromes and functional genetics of venom components. Key Achievements: - Characterized venom diversity across life stages in sea anemones. - Discovered novel microRNA functions and evolutionary links with plants. - Elucidated mechanisms of cnidocyte biogenesis using CRISPR/Cas9. Awards: - ERC Consolidator Grant (2019) - Selected Exceeding Article award for Yaara Columbus-Shenkar's work (SMART grant). Lab Activities: - Hosts a multidisciplinary team including postdocs, PhD students, and technicians. - Collaborates internationally on venom evolution and antiviral systems.

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