Professor John Long is Strategic Professor in Palaeontology at Flinders University, specializing in the early evolution of vertebrates. His research explores how anatomical structures like limbs, lungs, and sexual reproduction originated in Devonian fish fossils, particularly from the Gogo Formation in Western Australia and Antarctica. Education: Ph.D. (1984) and B.Sc. Hons (1981) from Monash University Research Interests: Focus on the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life, placoderm fish evolution, coelacanth brain development, and mass extinction events. Utilizes micro-CT, synchrotron, and neutron beam scanning for fossil analysis. Awards: 2020 Bettison and James Award ($50K) 2023 Whitely Medal 2016 Eureka Prize for Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations: Works with international scientists from Canada (Richard Cloutier), Sweden (Per Ahlberg), China (Zhu Min), UK (Hugo Dutel), and USA (Neil Shubin). Leads the Flinders Palaeontology Group, focusing on vertebrate evolution from fish to mammals. Media Engagement: Regular contributor to The Conversation , author of 30+ books, and recipient of the 2001 Eureka Prize for Public Promotion of Science. Serves on the Interagency Reference Group for the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Site.







