Evolution

Looking at prehistoric organisms allows Simon Darroch and his students to describe how, when and why complex life evolved on this planet. Their work is a piece of the puzzle in understanding how likely it is that we’ll find complex life beyond Earth. Read More

In a review of 100 years of research on the sensory systems in whales, Rachel Racicot, research assistant professor of biological sciences, describes advances in the field and key questions that remain. Read More

Vanderbilt researchers are reimagining Charles Darwin’s work by communicating how the origin of species might depend largely on the microbiome—the totality of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other organisms—living in or on a host body. Read More

Mohamed A. F. Noor, professor of biological sciences and dean of natural sciences at Duke University, will take part in a virtual discussion of his book, "Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek Can Teach Us About Evolution, Genetics, and Life on Other Worlds," on Wednesday, May 19, at 3:10 p.m. CT as part of the Evolutionary Studies Initiative at Vanderbilt Seminar Series. Read More

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Larisa DeSantis discusses pizzly bears (grizzy + polar bear hybrid species)! Read More

Vanderbilt environmental scientists show that patterns found in fossil records of ancient ecosystems may be the key to combating today’s biodiversity crisis and making informed conservation decisions. Read More

Chemical signatures and microscopic wear patterns in dental fossils show that the diet of sabertooth cats included mammoths. Read More

Climate scientist Carlos A. Nobre, who is renowned for his work on the impact of Amazon deforestation, will deliver the 2021 Earth Day Lecture on Wednesday, April 21, at 1 p.m. CT. Nobre’s talk is part of a joint venture by the Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative and the Center for Latin American Studies to highlight science in Latin America. Read More

Dental analysis from Larisa DeSantis shows that polar bears may not be able to compete for food sources as their environment melts away. Read More

The Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative is hosting a free presentation by prominent paleoconservationist Michael Archer, who will discuss how understanding ancient life can help conservationists save endangered species today. The virtual event will be Wednesday, March 24, at 3:10 p.m. CT. Read More

A virtual discussion, “Trustworthy AI for Wildlife Conservation: AI and Humans Combating Extinction Together,” will take place on March 19 at 2 p.m. CT. The discussion is hosted by the Vanderbilt Data Science Institute. Read More

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History senior scientist Kay Behrensmeyer will discuss fossilization and its relevance to our understanding of ancient life on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 3:10 p.m. CT. Read More

Sean B. Carroll, a world-renowned evolutionary biologist whose discoveries have shed light on the evolution of animal diversity, will deliver the 2021 Darwin Day Lecture on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 3:10 p.m. CT. Read More

The Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative will host award-winning British science journalist and author Angela Saini for a virtual discussion of her best-selling book, "Superior: The Return of Race Science," on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 3:10 p.m. CT.  Read More

Isotope analysis of ancient Peruvian teeth gives anthropologists a clearer image of how cooperating societies function. Read More

Six Vanderbilt University faculty members have been elected 2020 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. Read More

Kids and lifelong learners can hear directly from paleontologists about bizarre creatures of the past during a free virtual National Fossil Day event on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. CT. Registration is required. Read More

Studying “cheater” and “cooperative” mitochondria under environmental pressure delivers solid evolutionary conclusions in a longstanding theoretical field. Read More

New research shows surprising effects of interbreeding between Neanderthals and ancestors of some modern humans. Read More

The first comprehensive study of how diverse evolutionary forces influence the leading cause of infant mortality is led by Vanderbilt researchers. Read More