I am interested in understanding the nature of early animal evolution: its tempo and mode. My research principally investigates fossils from a pivotal period in Earth History about half a billion years ago during which time the major animal groups are thought to have originated, diversified and their bodyplans became fixed. Student projects will focus on the anatomy and evolution of animal groups from this time and place this knowledge in the context of animal evolution more generally, addressing functional, phylogenetic and macroevolutionary questions. DPhil projects will be defined in discussion with the student but would likely involve the study of fossil material in museums, palaeontological fieldwork (if appropriate) and techniques in, for example, phylogenetics, X-ray tomography and comparative anatomy.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: Bsc (Warwick, 2015), PhD (Bristol, 2019). Experience: Masters student supervision, undergraduate teaching in Biology and Earth Sciences
