Research

The primary focus of my research is to understand the history and development of life using paleontological, sedimentological, and biogeochemical investigations of the ancient Earth. I am particularity interested in the Earth System and how the Geo- and Biospheres co-evolved. My research is inherently multidisciplinary and takes advantage of numerous analytical methodologies (both physical and virtual) which allows me to answer novel geobiological questions while easily collaborating across fields.

Research experience should be the cornerstone of a student's science education, whether they wish to continue with their education or begin their career. I enjoy advising students on their own research (see below), or integrating student research into my projects, which better allows them to learn about the nature of scientific inquiry. These projects range in scope from first time research projects to senior theses. Throughout their research I advise them on how to formulate questions, apply for funding to support their research, and how to properly present their data to the public.

My research themes include:

· Early life/sediment interaction

· The Earth system

· Trace fossils

· Geologic 'Big Data' questions

· Investigating taphonomic pathways

· Ediacara organism morphology/Bio-mechanics

Projects

'Big Data' Geoscience

Investigating the development of Earth and life systems is essential to understanding the foundations for many of Earth’s processes and how they have evolved or changed through its history. While tectonics (which either destroys, fragments, or buries the record) has been a major barrier to such studies in the past, a more modern impediment to discovery has arisen; a lack of deep time data integration. Multiple complementary disciplines (geochemistry, paleobiology, mineralogy, petrology, and geodynamics, to name a few) collect data on similar questions, but rarely are those data integrated across the disciplines. This research utilizes growing data resources and apply advanced ‘Big Data’ analytics, Network Analysis, and novel visualization tools to investigate Earth systems questions.

Virtual Fossil Extraction and 3D Reconstruction

X-ray computed tomography, both macro-scale (CT) and micro-scale (microCT), in three-dimensional analysis of fossils is becoming more common. My research using these techniques aims to discover new features of fossils and their matrix that would be unavailable or missing in normal paleontological studies. This work has allowed both body and trace fossils to be virtually extracted from their matrix (in situ) to be further examined for morphological, bio-mechanical, and geochemical information. The potential for this type of research is great. It is expansive to many types of studies (great for student research projects) and has implications for Collections management.

Geobiological Micro-analysis

In the past few years there has been much advancement and development in the application of micro-analytical techniques in geobiological analyses, including the more common use of (and the increasingly important role of) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis. The ability to understand and use these analytical methods is becoming more critical and my background utilizing these techniques allows me to integrate these instruments with geologic questions to conduct innovative research (both my own and student projects).


Eocene Impact Event's Sedimentological record in the shellbeds of South Florida and Cuba

Around 35 million years ago (in the late Eocene) a large bolide impacted with what is now the eastern coast of the US. This impact shaped the formation of the Bay and was the source of the North American Tektite Field. Small spheres (micro-tektites) from Cuba and from the Plio-Pleistocene shellbeds of Florida (likely transported from Eocene deposits to the north) can possibly help us better date those formations.

Student Research

Here is a selection of student projects I have mentored

CT Reconstruction of Ediacaran Trace Fossils

Humza Yaqoob

(CT reconstruction of Ediacaran trace fossils)

Presented at the 2015 Annual GSA Meeting (link)

Taphonomy of Carboniferous Plants: Southwestern Virginia

Donald Koepp

(Microbeam investigation of the elemental make-up of plants from Carboniferous coals)

Presented at the 2015 NE GSA Meeting (link)

New findings on an Ordovician trilobite assemblage from southwest Roanoke County, VA: A geometric morphometric study of Ampyxina powelli

Aaron Howard

(Morphometric analysis of a relatively unknown trilobite species)

Presented at the 2014 SE GSA Meeting (link)

How important are TA’s? Comparing student knowledge retention in online and classroom activities

Rachel Salter

(Geoscience education project with experiential learning in the form of recreating, in the classroom, a cinder cone; pictured at left.)

Presented at the 2014 SE GSA Meeting (link)