People
Learn more about the people present and past who have worked with us. And find us on Evolution Tree as well
Current members
Professor and department chair
Phone: +1 (812) 855-7994
Email: pdpolly@indiana.edu
Website: https://pollylab.org
David is a vertebrate paleontologist who studies the evolution of mammals and other vertebrates in the fossil record.
Allison K. Bormet
PhD candidate
Allison's research is on the ecomorphology of artiodactyl mammals.
Ricardo Ely Arunda
PhD candidate
Email: rcely@iu.edu
Ricardo's current research is on phylogenetic comparative methods, including development of a new statistical model for early high disparity. He also has interests in the role of morphological modularity in constraining ecological specialization .
Sierra M. Lopezalles
PhD student
Email: slopezal@iu.edu
Sierra is interested in the evolution of mammals and morphometrics. Before coming to IU, she received a bachelor's degree at Caltech.
Alannah Pearson
PhD candidate
Email: alannah.pearson@anu.edu.au
Website: https://archanth.cass.anu.edu.au/people/ms-alannah-pearson
Alannah is a PhD Candidate through Australian National University studying cerebrocranial temporal evolution in extant and fossil primates, including humans.
Charles CJ Salcido
PhD candidate
Email:csalcido@iu.edu
Charles's research is on the functional morphology of the skull of mammals and their disparity.
Kat Sestrick
PhD student
Email:ksestric@iu.edu
Kat Sestrick is a Ph.D. student in the Evolution, Ecology and Behavior program of the Biology Department at Indiana University. She is interested in the evolution of animal phenotypes, especially the roles of developmental processes and their biases.
Past members
Silvia Ascari
PhD, Indiana University, 2015-2021
Email:silvia.ascari@alumni.iu.edu
Silvia's PhD research was on the functional morphology of dinosaurian claws, especially of the dromaeosaurs. She also did a Masters degree at IU on isotope paleoecology of vertebrates at the early Pleistocene Olduvai Gorge site. She now works for the Paleontology Team at PaleoWest heritage management firm.
Rituparna Bose
PhD, Indiana University, 2006-2011
Email: rbose@wiley.com
Ritu's research is on paleoecology of brachiopods and other Paleozoic marine invertebrates. She is now an Editor with John Wiley and Sons and the American Geophysical Union.
Tamsin Burland
Leverhulme Postdoctoral Fellow, Queen Mary, 2002-2003
Tamsin's research was on the molecular evolution of Chiroptera and she now works in research management. She is now Senior Co-Design Manager at JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee).
Richard Bykowski
PhD, Indiana University, 2009-2014
Rich is a paleontologist who studies the ecomorphology and phylogenetics of dinosaurs and other vertebrates. He is currently Student and Teacher Programs Facilitator at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and an adjunct instructor at Roosevelt University.
Henry Z. Fulghum
Masters, Indiana University, 2021-2023
Email: hfulghum@iu.edu
Henry is interested in how functional traits and morphology impact mammalian evolution. He is now a graduate student with the Committee on Evolutionary Biology at University of Chicago.
Stefan N. Gabriel
PhD, Queen Mary, 2002-2007
Email: Stefan.Gabriel@manchester.ac.uk
Website:https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/stefan.gabriel.html
Stefan's research is in mammalian anatomy and functional morphology. He is now a Lecturer in Anatomy based in the Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences at University of Manchester.
Anjali Goswami
NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Queen Mary and NHM, 2005-2007
Email: a.goswami@nhm.ac.uk
Website: https://www.goswamilab.com/anjali
Anjali's research is on the evolution of modularity in mammals and other vertebrates. She is now Research Leader at the Natural History Museum in London.
David M. Grossnickle
Masters, Indiana University, 2012-2013
Email: dmgrossn@uw.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/davidgrossnickle/home
David is a vertebrate paleontologist interested in how functional traits influence macroevolution. He is now an Assistant Professor at the Oregon Institute of Technology.
Jason J. Head
NSF Bioinformatics Fellow, Queen Mary, 2002-2005
Email: jjh71@cam.ac.uk
Website: https://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr-jason-head
Jason is a vertebrate paleontologist with interests in evolutionary developmental biology and conservation paleobiology. He moved to Cambridge in 2015 where he is now Professor of Vertebrate Evolution and Ecology in the Department of Zoology and Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology in the University Museum of Zoology.
Spencer M. Hellert
PhD, Indiana University, 2014-2019
Email: shellert@colum.edu
Website: https://www.colum.edu/academics/liberal-arts-and-sciences/science-and-mathematics/faculty
Spencer completed a PhD with the Polly lab in 2019 on the role of modularity in the evolution of flight. She is now a assistant professor at Columbia College and a research associate at the Field Museum in Chicago.
Blaire Hensley-Marschand
PhD, Indiana University, 2007-2017
Blaire's research is on the faunal context of early humans in eastern Asia. She is now a lecturer at Fairfield University in Connecticut and research affiliate at the Yale Peabody Museum.
Mackenzie Kirchner-Smith
BS, Indiana University, 2009-2013
Mackenzie's research is on the functional morphology and evolution of bird postcrania. She is now Curator of Integrated Biology at the San Bernardino County Museum in California.
Anne Kort
PhD, Indiana University, 2019-2023
Masters, Indiana University, 2017-2019
E, mail: annekort@umich.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/anne-kort
Anne's research is on the functional morphology and evolution of the vertebrate skeleton, with a focus on the diversification of locomotion in the early radiation of placental mammals during the Paleogene. She is now a Fellow of the Michigan Society and an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
A. Michelle Lawing
PhD, Indiana University, 2007-2012
Email: alawing@tamu.edu
Website: https://eccb.tamu.edu/people/lawing-a-michelle/
Michelle studies the response of vertebrates to climatic change in the fossil record and modern world. She is now an Associate Professor in the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Texas A&M University.
Steven Le Comber
Postdoctoral Researcher, Queen Mary, 2003-2006
Steve Le Comber was an evolutionary biologist with interests in molecular evolution and geographic profiling. He was a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London until he passed away in 2019.
Allison Nelson
Masters student
Allison is interested in mammalian evolution and paleoecology and her Master's thesis was on the morphometrics of red wolves. She is now a Natural Resources Specialist for the US Bureau of Land Management.
Sílvia Pineda-Muñoz
Postdoctoral Researcher, Indiana University, 2020-2022
Email: spinedam@iu.edu
Website: https://spineda-munoz.biology.gatech.edu/
Silvia is a paleoecologist who studies the effects of perturbations like urbanization, extirpations or climate change on ecosystems past and present. She is now an Environmental Biologist with the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Beth Reinke
BS, Indiana University, 2008-2012
Email: E-Reinke@NEIU.edu
Website: https://www.bethreinke.com
Beth's research is on the evolution and physiology of animal coloration. She is now an assistant professor at Northeastern Illinois University.
Daniel P. Rhoda
BS, Indiana University, 2016-2020
Email: danielrhoda@chicago.edu
Daniel is interested in the role played by modularity in evolution and ecological turnover events. He is now pursuing a PhD with the Committee on Evolutionary Biology at the University of Chicago.
Michael R. Smith
PhD, Indiana University, 2009-2017
Michael R. Smith's project was on the restructuring of mammal faunas during Quaternary. He is now science expert at Cloud Imperium Games.
Wesley Vermillion
Masters, Indiana University, 2011-2016
Wesley's research was on the morphometrics, biogeography and post-glacial differentiation of the North American turtle Chrysemys picta.
Undergraduate Research Students
Jessica Mo, Vanderbilt University, 2020-2022
Riley Edie, Indiana University, 2019-2021
Daniel Rhoda, Indiana University, 2017-20
Michol Deutsch, Indiana University, 2017-19
Andrew Reese, Indiana University, 2015-17
Kimberly Cook, Indiana University, 2015-17
Alexander Beyl, Indiana University, 2015-17
Charisse Mitchell, Charles Tindley School, Indianapolis, 2014-15
Alyssa Ruthkay, Indiana University, 2013-14
Mackenzie Kirchner-Smith, Indiana University, 2012-13
Beth Reinke, Indiana University, 2009-11
Georgina Adams, Queen Mary, University of London, 2005-6
Anup Gupta, Queen Mary, University of London, 2005-6
Shruti Karia, Queen Mary, University of London, 2005-6
Komal Khan, Queen Mary, University of London, 2005-6
Nicola MacGregor, Queen Mary, University of London, 2005-6
Rekha Sharma, Queen Mary, University of London, 2005-6
Lisa Wilson, Queen Mary, University of London, 2005-6
Rayhana Yasmin, Queen Mary, University of London, 2005-6
Angelina Ansah, Queen Mary, University of London, 2004-5
Kamaljit Attariwala, Queen Mary, University of London, 2004-5
Sabrina Campbell, Queen Mary, University of London, 2004-5
Simon Cyrus, Queen Mary, University of London, 2004-5
Kirran Khalid, Queen Mary, University of London, 2004-5
Lauren Morris, Queen Mary, University of London, 2004-5
David O'Milegan, Queen Mary, University of London, 2004-5
Elaine Wong, Queen Mary, University of London, 2004-5
Radhekshmi Caumul, Queen Mary, University of London, 2003-4
Alana George, Queen Mary, University of London, 2003-4
Cynthia Kanagasundaram, Queen Mary, University of London, 2003-4
Naz Qureshi, Queen Mary, University of London, 2003-4
Mohammed Ajmal, Queen Mary, University of London, 2002-3
Adwoa Asare, Queen Mary, University of London, 2002-3
Neha Bhardwaj, Queen Mary, University of London, 2002-3
Linh Hy, Queen Mary, University of London, 2002-3
Gengiz Gursoy, Queen Mary, University of London, 2001-2
Cherry Smith, Queen Mary, University of London, 2001-2
Christopher Strowbridge, Queen Mary, University of London, 2001-
Helen Melvill, Queen Mary, University of London, 1999-2000
Ebitare Sawacha, Queen Mary, University of London, 1999-2000
Claire Sutton, Queen Mary, University of London, 1999-2000
Ajay K. Mathur, Queen Mary, University of London, 1998-9
Georgina E. Hirschler, University of Michigan, 1995-6
David T. Cohen, University of Michigan, 1995-6
Graduate Committees
Koelbel, Matthew, Indiana University, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D., 2023-present.
Terry, Hal, Indiana University, Biological Sciences, Ph.D., 2023-present.
Bogner, Emily. University of California Berkeley, Integrative Biology, Ph.D., 2022-present.
Chandroth, Anupama. Indiana University, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D., 2021-present.
LaBarge, Thomas. Indiana University, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D., 2022-present.
Reed, Susan. Indiana University, Biological Sciences, MS, 2022-present.
Peltier-Thompson, Danielle. Indiana University, PhD, 2018-present.
LaBarge, Thomas. Indiana University, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, MS, 2020-2022. Thesis title: Taphonomy and ichnology of Nile Crocodile feeding behavior.
Valenza, Jeffery. Indiana University, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, PhD, 2018-2021. Thesis title: “Controls on river avulsion style and stratigraphy in foreland basins”.
Pearson, Alannah. Australian National University, School of Archaeology and Anthropology, PhD, 2014-Present. Dissertation title: “Inside and Out: Using virtual imaging to investigate the evolution of the cranial and cerebral temporal region in fossil and living primates”.
Farrugia, Paul. Indiana University, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, PhD, 2012-Present. Dissertation title: “Crocodylian craniodental ecomorphology and ecological niche modeling: a new approach for reconstructing hominin paleoecology in the East African rift system”.
Burtt, Amanda. Indiana University, Anthropology, PhD, 2013-2022.
Emily Thorpe. Indiana University, Masters, 2018-2020. Thesis title: "Taxonomy and Paleoecology of Rudist Bivalves from the Barrancas, Río Matón, and Aguas Buenas Limestone Members, middle Cretaceous, Puerto Rico".
Zimmerman, Alex. Indiana University, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, PhD, 2014-2020. Dissertation title: “Phylogeny and paleoecology of Late Cretaceous rudist bivalves, US Gulf Coast and Caribbean Provinces”.
Camargo-Perez, Issac. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, PhD, 2017-2021. Dissertation title: “Filogenia y filogeografía de las musarañas desérticas del genero Notiosorex (Mammalia:Soricomorpha)”.
Dickson, Blake V. Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, PhD, 2016-2020. Dissertation title: “A three-dimensional analysis of tetrapod humerus shape and function across water-land transitions: an evolutionary and ontogenetic perspective”.
Mirza, Ali. Indiana University, Department of History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine, PhD, 2016-2020. Dissertation title: “Living in Stone: The History and Philosophy of Behavior, Morphology, and Traces in the Fossil Record”.
Kearney, John C. Indiana University, PhD, 2018-2019. Thesis title: “Using phenocryst compositions from reworked tephra to enhance chronostratigraphic resolution of Bed III and Bed IV, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania”.
Fuentes Gonzales, Jesualdo. Indiana University, Department of Biology, PhD, 2011-2018. Dissertation title: “Phylogenies and the comparative method in morphometrics”.
Sacks, Lita. Indiana University, Department of Anthropology, PhD, 2014-2019. Dissertation title: “Temporal use of Koster Mounds: functional morphology, mortuary practices, and paleopathology in the prehistoric lower Illinois River valley”.
Nold, Katie. Indiana University, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, PhD, 2009-2018. Dissertation title: “Caribbean coastal ecosystems and the people who utilized them: A geoarchaeological approach to the Caribbean past”.
Mongle, Carrie. Stony Brook University, Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences, PhD, 2015-2019. Dissertation title: “Modeling hominin variability: the alpha taxonomy of ‘Australopithecus africanus’”
Smits, Peter. University of Chicago, Committee on Evolutionary Biology, PhD, 2012-2017. Dissertation title: “Bayesian approaches to trait evolution in the fossil record”.
Kufeldt, Chrisandra. George Washington University, Center for Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, PhD, 2011-2017. Dissertation title: “Trees from teeth? Exploring the role of dental microstructure in the reconstruction of hominin relationships”.
Kuhn, William. Rutgers University, Department of Biological Sciences, PhD, 2011-2016. Dissertation title: “Three approaches to automating taxonomy, with emphasis on the Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)”.
Topalov, Katarina. Indiana University, Department of Geological Sciences, PhD, 2008-2016. Dissertation title: “Environmental, trophic, and ecological factors influencing bone collagen δ2H values”.
Nava Garcia, Elizabeth. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, PhD, 2010-2015. Dissertation title: “Sistemática de Reithrodontomys megalotis con base en datos moleculares y morfológicos”.
Kirchner-Smith, Mackenzie. Hays State University, Kansas MS, 2015.
Rudolf, Katie J. Indiana University, Department of Anthropology, PhD, 2015.
Ascari, Silvia. Indiana University, Department of Geological Sciences, Masters, 2015.
Parzer, Harald F. Indiana University, Department of Biology, PhD, 2013.
Herrmann, Edward. Indiana University, Department of Anthropology, PhD, 2013.
Muir, Chris. Indiana University, Department of Biology, PhD, 2013.
Green, Robin. Indiana University, Department of Geological Sciences, MS, 2013.
Costa, August. Indiana University, Department of Anthropology, PhD, 2012.
Puchalski, Stephaney. Indiana University, Department of Geological Sciences, PhD, 2011.
Morgenthien, James N. Indiana University, Department of Geological Sciences, Masters, 2011.
Uhen, Mark D. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Department of Geological Sciences, PhD, 1996.
Bloch, Jonathan I. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Department of Geological Sciences, MS, 1995.
Examiner, PhD Dissertations
Inessa Voet, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, PhD, 2022 (Rapporteur). Thesis title: “The evolution and phylogeography of crocidurine shrews”.
Lisandro Milocco, Helsinki University, PhD, 2022 (external examiner). Thesis title: “Quantitative genetics in nonlinear genotype-phenotype maps”.
Abigail Parker, Cambridge University, Department of Zoology, PhD, 2022 (external examiner). Thesis title: "Body size histories in Cenozoic reptiles from global to community scales".
Amy Tims, Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, PhD, 2021 (external examiner). Thesis title: “Macroecology and conservation biology of Australian freshwater fishes: a big data approach”.
Thomas Clarke, Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, MSc, 2017 (external examiner). Thesis title: “Drivers of spider body plans: time, geography, or climate?”
Heather Ahrens, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, PhD, 2017 (external examiner). Dissertation title: “Phylogeny and locomotor ecomorphology of Oxyaenidae and macroevolutionary patterns in North American “Creodonta” (Mammalia, Placentalia)”.
Aidan Couzens, Flinders University, School of Biological Sciences, PhD, 2011-2017 (external examiner). Dissertation title: “Late Cenozoic evolution of the macropodoid dentition”.
Sílvia Pineda-Munoz, Macquarie University, PhD, 2011-2016 (external examiner). Dissertation title: “Diet, ecology and dental morphology in terrestrial mammals”.
Juha Saarinen, Helsinki University, PhD 2014 (external pre-examiner).
Francois Gould, Johns Hopkins University, PhD 2012 (external reader).
Pedro Cordiero Estrela de Andrade Pinto, Université Paris VI-Pierre et Marie Curie, PhD. 2005 (Rapporteur).
Annette Mahon, Cambridge University, PhD, 2004 (external examiner).
Simon Harris, Bristol University, PhD, 2004 (external examiner).
Amal M. Al-Hassawi, University College London, PhD, 2004 (internal examiner).
Hilary Markham, Guy’s Hospital, PhD, 2002 (internal examiner).
Julia Boughner, University College London, PhD, 2002 (internal examiner).
Will Harcourt-Smith, University College London, PhD, 2002 (internal examiner).
Dilshat Hewzulla, University of East London, PhD, 2001 (external examiner).
Sam Cobb, University College London, PhD, 2001 (internal examiner).
Andrea Webster, Imperial College London, PhD, 2001(internal examiner).
Helen J. Chatterjee, University College London, PhD, 2000 (internal examiner).
Julia J. Day, University College London, PhD, 2000 (internal examiner).
Naoko Egi, Johns Hopkins University, PhD, 1998 (external reader).
Bryony Green, University College London, PhD, 1998 (internal examiner).