Personal profile

Research interests

Current Research

Members of my group are variouslly using the fossil record to answer questions about large scale, ‘macroevolutionary’ processes. Between us, we are interested in how fossils can be useful in building phylogenies, how groups diversify though ‘design space’, and how shifts in developmental programs can underpin the largest, macroevolutionary changes.

Projects being undertaken by current members of my lab include:

  • The phylogeny of Eumalacostraca using molecules, morphology and fossils
  • Testing macroevolutionary trends, particularly patterns of disparity through time
  • The congruence of phylogeny and stratigraphy
  • The quality of phylogentic data
  • How ‘shaky’ are phylogenetic trees including fossils?
  • Fossilisation filters and the Tree of Life
  • Building a supertree of arthropods
  • Ontogenetic disparity and the evolution of molluscs

Goals

To improve our understanding of some of the deepest branches in animal evolution, and to evaluate the contribution that fossil make to resolving these.

To test the validity of putative macroevolutionary trends (e.g., early high morphological disparity and increasing complexity).

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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