Members of the Paleoecology Group study the interaction between ancient organisms and their environment over deep time. Topics we study include the early history of animal life on Earth, mass extinctions, and climate change.
Dr. Stephen Q. Dornbos, Professor
Stephen DornbosSpecializes in Evolutionary Paleoecology of Early Animals and Geobiology of Microbial Structures.
Research: Lab research is focused on the paleoecology, evolution, and taphonomy of early animals during the Ediacaran–Cambrian radiation, as well as geobiology of microbial structures in siliciclastics and carbonates.
Field Locations: Mongolia, China, western United States, and Lake Superior region.
Dr. Margaret L. Fraiser, Associate Professor
Margaret L. FraiserSpecializes in End-Permian Mass Extinction, Microbial Signatures, Trace Fossils and Broad-Scale Paleoecological Patterns.
Research: Lab research is focused on the Paleozoic/Mesozoic transition, the end-Permian mass extinction, the Early to Middle Triassic biotic recovery, and the Late Paleozoic Ice Age.
Field Locations: Argentina, China, and western United States.
Dr. Peter M. Sheehan, Emeritus Adjunct Professor & Milwaukee Public Museum
Specializes in Ordovician Radiation and Extinction Events.
Research: Lab research is focused on constraints on evolution imposed by ecological associations of animals and the environment. I am working on the Ordovician Radiation, the end Ordovician and Cretaceous/Tertiary extinctions and subsequent radiations of surviving groups.
Field Locations: Estonia and western United States.
Any interested MS or PhD students should feel free to contact any of the faculty members above.