CV

A brief history...

I am currently a Lecturer in Anatomy in the Centre for Integrative Anatomy, part of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at University College London. My research investigates the evolution of animal form and function by integrating cutting-edge methods in medical imaging, biomechanical modelling, and experiments. In addition to building my lab at UCL, I am co-supervising two NERC-funded projects hosted at the University of Bristol (invasion of the land by tetrapods) and the Natural History Museum in London (radiation of early dinosaurs), and carrying out additional research with colleagues across the globe.

I am originally from Chicago, having attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where I completed degrees in Biological Sciences and Earth and Environmental Sciences, supervised by Dr. Roy Plotnick. In 2004 I received a Gates Cambridge Scholarship allowing me to pursue my PhD in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr. David Norman and Prof. Emily Rayfield. I used anatomy, tooth wear and biomechanical modeling to elucidate jaw movements and diet in early ornithischian dinosaurs. From 2008 - 2012 I conducted research and taught at the Department of Organismal Biology at the University of Chicago in the lab of Prof. Callum Ross. I used in vivo experimental methods and finite element analysis to understand skull mechanics during feeding in crocodilians, lizards and primates. I also lectured in several courses, including human anatomy in the Pritzker School of Medicine. From 2012 - 2014 I was a Marie Curie Research Fellow based in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol (once again working with Emily Rayfield) and in the Zoology Department at the University of Cambridge, collaborating with Prof. Jennifer Clack FRS on a project focused on changes in morphology and function in the early tetrapod lower jaw. In 2014, I joined Dr. Chris Richards at the Royal Veterinary College on an ERC-funded project looking at the evolution of locomotion in amphibians incorporating data from experiments, biomechanical modelling and paleo-robotics. I returned to the University of Bristol as a Senior Research Associate from 2017 - 2018 as RCI on a NERC-funded project investigating the invasion of the land by tetrapods.

I joined University College London as a Lecturer in autumn 2018.

Detailed CV

Education and Research Appointments

2018 - present Lecturer in Anatomy, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London

2017 - 2018 Senior Research Associate, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol

2014 - 2017 Postdoctoral Researcher, Structure and Motion Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College

2012 - 2016 Postdoctoral Affiliate, Christ's College, University of Cambridge

2012 - 2014 Marie Curie Research Fellow, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol

2008 - 2012 Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago

2004 - 2008 PhD Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge

2002 - 2004 Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Illinois at Chicago

2001 Research Internship, Department of Zoology, Field Museum of Natural History

1999 - 2004 Undergraduate, University of Illinois at Chicago

BSc Biological Sciences - Highest Distinction

BSc Earth and Environmental Sciences - Highest Distinction

Grants and Awards (approximate value of major grants shown)

2019 Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF3), £12,500

2018 - 2021 NERC Standard Grant "Role of cranial biomechanics and feeding in clade diversification

and early dinosaur evolution",

Co-supervising with Paul Barrett, £398,000

2017 - 2020 NERC Standard Grant "Skull evolution and the terrestrialization and radiation of

tetrapods",

RCI with Emily Rayfield, £419,000

2016 - 2018 DFG Grant, "Form, function and the evolution of prey-processing in Urodeles"

Project collaborator with Egon Heiss, €235,000

2016 - 2018 CONICET Internal Grant, "Musculoskeletal reconstruction and functional analysis of the

skull of Manidens",

Co-Director with Diego Pol and Marcos Becerra, £45,000

2016 Company of Biologists Travel Grant

2012 - 2014 Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship, "Tetrapods Rising: Linking mandibular form

with function

across the fish-tetrapod transition", £170,000

2010 Palaeontological Association Grant-In-Aid

2007 Palaeontological Association President's Prize

2007 Lundgren Research Award

2007 Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Student Travel Grant

2007 Cambridge Philosophical Society Research Studentship

2007 Cambridge Philosophical Society Travel Grant

2006 Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Student Poster Prize

2006, 2007 Selwyn College Travel Grant

2004 - 2008 Gates Cambridge Scholarship

2003 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar

2002 Hispanic Scholarship Fund

1999 - 2003 University Scholarship (full funding at the University of Illinois at Chicago)

Teaching Experience

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) - acheived 2019

University College London

2018 - present Lecturer, MBBS Year 2 Movement and Musculoskeletal Biology

2018 - present Lab demonstrator, MBBS Year 1 Circulation and Breathing and Fluids, Nutrition and Metabolism

2018 - present Lab demonstrator, Introduction to Anatomy and Development (ANAT0001)

2018 - present Lab demonstrator, Human Anatomy and Embryology (ANAT0004)

University of Bristol

2013, 2017 Guest lecturer (2 lectures), Current Controversies in Palaeobiology and Macroevolution (EASC M0001)

2012 - 2017 Guest lecturer (2 lectures), Biomechanics and Functional Morphology (EASC M0024)

University of Cambridge

2012 - 2015 Lecturer and demonstrator (6 lectures per year) and examiner, M1 Topics in Vertebrate Evolution

2013 Supervisor and demonstrator, Vertebrate Palaeontology IB

2005 - 2008 Supervisor and demonstrator for palaeobiology and vertebrate palaeontology courses

2005 - 2007 Field instructor for first-year students, Geology of the Isle of Arran

University of Chicago

2008 - 2012 Lecturer, The Human Body (ORGB 30001) - included daily lab demonstrations, small group teaching

and writing/administering/grading exams

2009 Guest lecturer, Topics in Integrative Organismal Biology (ORGB 40001)

2008 - 2012 Student training and research projects

Invited Seminars

2020 University of Leicester, Departmental Research Seminar, Dept. of Geology

2017 UCL Centre for Ecology and Evolution Autumn Mixer Event

2017 Tetrapod Club, Natural History Museum, London

2015 University of Chicago, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy

2013 University College London, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology

2013 University of Bristol, School of Earth Sciences

2013 Cambridgeshire Geology Club

2012 University of Chicago, Evolutionary Morphology Seminar Series

2011 University of Cambridge, Department of Earth Sciences

2010 University of Liverpool, Department of Musculoskeletal Biology

2009 Texas A&M University, Baylor College of Dentistry

2008 University of Hull, Medical and Biological Engineering Research Group

2008 University of Leicester, Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society

2007 University of Chicago, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy

Conferences

(For published research articles, click here)

Published Conference Abstracts (see unpublished conference presentations below)

Button, D.J., Porro, L.B., Jones, M.E.H., Barrett, P.M. 2019. Using biomechanical modelling to investigate an adaptive radiation: a case study in Dinosauria. Palaeontology Newsletter 61-62.

Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting, Valencia, Spain

Porro, L.B., May, J.R., Dutel, H., Dutel, H., Martin-Silverstone, E.G., Rayfield, E.J. 2019. Cranial sutures and mechanical performance in tetrapod skulls during the water-land transition. Journal Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2019: 172.

Button, D.J., Porro, L.B., Jones, M.E.H., Barrett, P.M. 2019. Using biomechanical modelling to investigate an adaptive radiation: a case study in Dinosauria. Journal Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2019: 71.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Brisbane, Australia.

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., May, J. 2018. Surf n' turf: evolution of tetrapod skull shape and mechanics across the water-land transition. Palaeontology Newsletter 100-101.

Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting, Bristol, UK

Porro, L., Rayfield, E. 2018. Three-dimensional reconstruction and biomechanical modelling of tetrapod skulls across the water-land transition. Journal Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2018: 199.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, USA.

Invited symposium

Richards, C., Porro, L., Collings, A. 2017. The dynamics of trajectory control in jumping frogs. Integrative and Comparative Biology 57: 199.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Porro, L., Collings A., Chadwick, K., Richards, C. 2016. Limb kinematics and inverse dynamic modelling of jumping in the red-legged running frog (Kassina maculata). Integrative and Comparative Biology 56: e174.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Collings, A., Porro, L., Richards, C. 2016. 3D kinematics and pelvic motion during walking locomotion the red-legged running frog (Kassina maculata). Integrative and Comparative Biology 56: e40.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., Clack, J. 2015. Anatomy and three-dimensional reconstruction of the skull of the stem tetrapod Crassigyrinus scoticus. Journal Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2015: 197.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Dallas, USA.

Holliday, C., Sellers, K., Tsia, H., Vickaryous, M., Ross, C., Porro, L., Davis, J., Witmer, L. 2015. PMJs and TMJs: Convergence in the craniomandibular joints of crocodyliforms and mammals. Journal Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2015: 145.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Dallas, USA.

Holliday, C., Seller, K., Vickaryous, M., Ross, C., Porro, L., Witmer, L., Davis, J. 2015. The functional and evolutionary significance of the crocodyliform pterygomandibular joint. Integrative and Comparative Biology 55: e81

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, West Palm Beach, Florida

Ross, C., Fagan, M., Evans, S., Herrel, A., Walsh, T., Porro, L. 2015. In vivo bone strain and the design of lizard crania. Integrative and Comparative Biology 55: e156.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, West Palm Beach, Florida

Reed, D., Porro, L., Elsey, R., Iriarte, J., Ross, C. 2015. The presence of the external mandibular fenestra in the lower jaw of Alligator does not substantially increase peak von Mises stress and is energetically negligible. Integrative and Comparative Biology 55: 273.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, West Palm Beach, Florida

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., Clack, J, Herrel, A., Adriaens, D. 2014. Mandibular mechanics and feeding across the water-land transition: finite element analysis of the early tetrapod lower jaw. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2014: 207.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Berlin, Germany

Porro, L.,Rayfield, E., Clack, J. 2014. Tetrapods Rising: 3D reconstruction and finite element analysis of the lower jaw across the water-land transition. Abstract Volume: 4th International Palaeontological Congress: 597.

4th International Palaeontological Congress, Mendoza, Argentina

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., Clack, J. 2013. Computed tomography, digital preparation and three-dimensional reconstruction of the early tetrapod lower jaw. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 33A: 193.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California

Platts, E., Walsh, T., Heins, L., Porro, L., Taylor, A., Ross, C. 2013. Scaling of distance from center of mass to condylar axis in primate mandibles. 150(s56): 222.

American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Knoxville, Tennessee

Ross, C., Porro, L., Orsborn, C., Stewart, T., Taylor, A., Iriarte-Diaz, J. 2013. Finite element model of the Cebus mandible under different loading conditions. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 150(s56): 236.

American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Knoxville, Tennessee

Porro, L., Iriarte-Diaz, J., O’Reilly, J., Ross, C. 2013. In vivo cranial bone strain during feeding in the agamid Uromastyx geyri. Integrative and Comparative Biology 53: e169.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California

Ross, C., Herrel, A., Porro, L., Evans, S., Fagan, M., Murray, K. 2013. Cranial bone strain in the teiid lizard Tupinambis merianae and the diversity of optimality criteria in vertebrateskulls. Integrative and Comparative Biology 53: e185.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California

Porro, L., Barrett, P., Witmer, L. 2011. A 3D skull of Lesothosaurus diagnosticus: digital preparation, reconstruction and feeding mechanics. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 31A: 176A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ross, C., Porro, L., Holliday, C., Anapol, F., Ontiveros, L., Ontiveros, L. 2011. Free body analysis, beam mechanics, and finite element modeling of the mandible of Alligatormississippiensis. Integrative and Comparative Biology 51: e118.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah

Reed, D., Porro, L., Holliday, C., Lemberg, J., Metzger, K., Ross, C. 2010. Multidimensional analysis of mandibular function in Alligator mississippiensis using geometricmorphometrics and finite element modeling. Integrative and Comparative Biology 50: e144.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington

Porro, L., Reed, D., Lemberg, J., Zapata, U., Ross. C. 2010. Mandibular mechanics of Alligator mississippiensis: from beam models to finite element analysis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30A: 147A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dean-Carpentier, M., Porro, L., Sereno, P. 2010. Modelling and reconstruction of the feeding biomechanics of the basal ceratopsian Psittacosaurus gobiensis and its implications for ceratopsian evolution. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30A: 8A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Porro, L., Lemberg, J., Reed, D., Ross, C., Metzger, K. 2009. Finite element modeling of Alligator mississippiensis: multidimensional analysis, validation, and implications for fossil taxa. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29A: 166A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Bristol, UK

Butler, R., Porro, L., Galton, P., Barrett, P., Norman, D. 2009. The phylogenetic position of Heterodontosauridae: implications for the early ornithischian dinosaur radiation. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29: 73A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Bristol, UK

Norman, D., Crompton, A., Butler, R., Porro, L., Charig, A. 2009. The early ornithischian Heterodontosaurus tucki: cranial anatomy and relationships. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29: 155A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Bristol, UK

Lemberg, J., Porro, L., Reed, D., and Ross, C. 2009. 3D visualization and morphometric analysis comparing mandibular sutures in a hatchling and subadult Alligator mississippiensis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29: 134A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Bristol, UK

Porro, L. 2008. Accuracy in finite element modeling of extinct taxa: sensitivity analysis in Heterodontosaurus tucki. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28A: 128A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio

Porro, L. 2007. The sabre-toothed dinosaurs once more: caniniform tooth function in Heterodontosaurus. Palaeontology Newsletter 66: 50- 51A.

Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting, Uppsala, Sweden

Received the 2007 Palaeontological Association President's Prize

Norman, D., Porro, L., Butler, R. 2007. A juvenile skull of the ornithischian dinosaur Heterodontosaurus tucki from the 'Stormberg' (Early Jurassic) of South Africa. Palaeontology Newsletter 66: 84A.

Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting, Uppsala, Sweden

Porro, L. 2007. Feeding and jaw mechanism in Heterodontosaurus tucki using finite-element analysis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27A: 131A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas

Romer Prize Session

Maidment, S., Porro, L. 2007. Homology and function of the ornithischian dinosaur palpebral. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27: 111A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas

Norman, D., Porro, L., Butler, R. 2007. A juvenile skull of Heterodontosaurus tucki from the ‘Stormberg’ of South Africa. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27: 124A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas

Porro, L. 2006. Cranial biomechanics of Heterodontosaurus tucki using finite-element analysis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26A:112A.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Canada

Received the 2006 SVP Poster Prize

Unpublished Conference Presentations

Porro, L.B., May, J.R., Rayfield, E.J. 2019. Suture shape and skull function across the water-land transition.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Prague, Czech Republic

Invited Symposium

Martin-Silverstone, E., Porro, L.B., Dutel, H., Rayfield, E.J. 2019. 3D-reconstruction of the skull of the enigmatic Carboniferous tetrapod Eoherpeton watsoni and the evolution of the pterygoid flange.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Prague, Czech Republic

Dutel, H., Porro, L.B., May, J.R.S., Martine-Silverstone, E., Herrel, A., Fagan, M.J., Rayfield, E. 2019. Comparative musculoskeletal anatomy and function between fishes and amphibians.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Prague, Czech Republic

Button, D.J., Porro, L.B., Jones, M.E.H., Barrett, P.M. 2019. Using biomechanical modelling to investigate an adaptive radiation: a case study in Dinosauria.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Prague, Czech Republic

Dutel, H., Porro, L.B., May, J.R.S., Martine-Silverstone, E., Herrel, A., Fagan, M.J., Rayfield, E. 2019. Functional perspective on the evolution of the sarcopterygian feeding apparatus.

15th International Symposium on Early and Lower Vertebrates, Quijing, China

Jones, M., Button, D., Porro, L., Barrett. 2018. Endocast structure supports interpretations of an active lifestyle in a small, iconic British dinosaur.

Symposium of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy, Manchester, UK

Button, D., Porro, L., Jones, M., Barrett, P. 2018. A three-dimensional virtual reconstruction of the skull of the problematic Early Jurassic theropod Coelophysis? kayentakatae, and the importance of evaluating uncertainty in retrodeformation studies.

Symposium of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy, Manchester, UK

Porro, L. 2018. Feeding across the fish-tetrapod transition: an integrative approach.

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Division of Vertebrate Morphology, European Regional Meeting, London, UK

Porro, L., Eberhard, E., Collings, A., Richards, C. 2017. Reconstruction and musculoskeletal modelling of the pelvic and hindlimb musculature of the fossil salientian Triadobatrachus.

Society of Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Collings, A., Eberhard, E., Porro, L., Richards, C. 2017. A functional analyses of anuran pelvic anatomy using musculoskeletal modelling of Kassina maculata.

Society of Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Eberhard, E., Collings, A., Richards, C., Porro, L. 2017. Jump optimisation of a morphable musculoskeletal model: probing performance against changing hind-limb proportions.

Society of Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Richards, C., Eberhard, E., Porro, L., Collings, A. 2017. Frog musculo-robotics.

Dynamic Walking, Mariehamn, Finland.

Porro, L., Brocklehurst, R., Adriaens, D., Herrel, A., Rayfield, R. 2016. Contrast-enhanced micro-CT imaging of fish and frogs: digital dissections and biomechanical applications.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Washington D.C., USA.

Invited Symposium

Brocklehurst, R., Porro, L., Herrel, A., Adriaens, D., Standen, E., Rayfield, E. 2016. Comparative biomechanics of biting vs. suction feeding in fish.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Washington D.C., USA.

Collings, A. Porro, L., Richards, C. 2016. Functional pelvic anatomy of the red-legged running frog (Anura: Hyperolliidae, Kassina maculata).

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Washington D.C., USA.

Porro, L., Collings, A., Chadwick, K., Richards, C. 2015. Limb kinematics and ground reaction forces during jumping in the red-legged running frog (Kassina maculata).

Society of Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic.

Richards, C., Collings, A., Porro, L. 2015. Modelling the musculoskeletal multi-functionality of frog limb.

Society of Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic.

Collings, A., Porro, L., Richards, C. 2015. 3D kinematics of walking locomotion in the red-legged running frog (Kassina maculata).

Society of Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic.

Porro, L., Ross, C., Herrel, A., Evans, S., Fagan, M., O'Higgins, P. 2013. In vivo cranial bone strain during feeding in the lizards Tupinabis and Uromastyx.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Barcelona, Spain.

Invited Symposium

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., Clack, J. 2013. 3D reconstruction and mechanical analysis of the early tetrapod lower jaw.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Barcelona, Spain

Porro, L., Ross, C., Herrel, A. , Evans, S., Fagan, M., O’Higgins, P. 2013. In vivo cranial bone strains during feeding in the lizards Tupinambis and Uromastyx.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Barcelona, Spain

Invited symposium

Porro, L., Metzger, K., Ross, C., Iriarte-Diaz, J. 2011. In vivo validation of a finite element model of the Alligator mandible.

Cranio-Cervical Systems 5, Paris, France

Porro, L. 2010. Finite element analysis of the Alligator mandible: validation, sensitivity analyses, and beyond.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Punta del Este, Uruguay

Invited symposium

Porro, L. 2007. Jaw mechanics in the primitive ornithischian Heterodontosaurus tucki using finite-element analysis.

XXIII Jornadas Argentinas de Paleontología de Vertebrados, Trelew, Argentina

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., Norman, D. 2007. Cranial biomechanics of a primitive ornithischian dinosaur using finite-element analysis.

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Paris, France

Porro, L. 2007. Chewing, chewing all day long: feeding in Heterodontosaurus.

Progressive Palaeontology, Bristol, UK

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., Norman, D. 2006. Cranial biomechanics and feeding in Heterodontosaurus tucki.

Symposium of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy, Paris, France

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., Norman, D. 2006. Cranial biomechanics in basal ornithischian dinosaurs using finite-element analysis—further work.

9th Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota, Manchester, UK

Porro, L., Rayfield, E., Norman, D. 2005. Cranial biomechanics in basal ornithischian dinosaurs.

Symposium of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy, London, UK

Porro, L. 2005. Cranial biomechanics and feeding in an early ornithischian dinosaur.

Progressive Palaeontology, University of Leiceister, UK

Professional Memberships

Fellow of the Linnaean Society (inducted 2017)

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP)

Paleontological Society

Palaeontological Association

Anatomical Society

International Society for Vertebrate Morphology (ICVM)

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB)

Society for Experimental Biology (SEB)

Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society

Cambridge Philosophical Society

Professional Service

2019 - present Editorial board of PLOS ONE

2016 - present Handling editor for the journal Palaeontology

2013 - 2014 Organizer for weekly Palaeobiology Seminar Series (School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol)

2006 Co-organized Progressive Palaeontology conference (Cambridge)

Reviewer for Nature Communications, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Journal of the Royal Society Interface, Royal Society Open Science, Biology Letters, Palaeontology, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports, Science Advances, Journal of Biomechanics, Journal of Anatomy, Journal of Zoology, Journal of Morphology, Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, The Anatomical Record, PeerJ, Palaeontologia Africana, Palaeontologia Electronica, Zoology and publications of the Geological Society.

Grant reviewer for Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Royal Society, the German Research Foundation (DFG), Paleontological Society and the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO).

Session moderator for SVP and SICB annual meetings, symposium chair for ICVM meeting

Engagement with US and UK media (press releases, TV shows, radio interviews) including the BBC, Reuters, National Geographic and Live Science (see News page for more detail),

Outreach - including developing and delivering presentations, handling sessions and outreach activities, as well as web content - for non-specialist audiences of all ages at various museums and through talks at schools, including the Sedgwick Museum and Museum of Zoology (Cambridge) and Chicago-area schools.

Field Work

2003 South Dakota and Wyoming with Eastern Illinois University (6 weeks)

2002 Southern Alberta with the Royal Tyrrell Museum (2 weeks), resulted in the discovery and excavation of a complete mosasaur, Prognathodon overtoni