Larisa DeSantis
Vanderbilt researcher explains Pizzly bear hybrid species
Apr. 20, 2021—Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Larisa DeSantis discusses pizzly bears (grizzy + polar bear hybrid species)!
Diet of Homotherium sabertooth cat included baby mammoths, according to new research
Apr. 15, 2021—Chemical signatures and microscopic wear patterns in dental fossils show that the diet of sabertooth cats included mammoths.
Vanderbilt research shows how polar bears maintained highly specialized diets during periods of Arctic warming—until now
Apr. 1, 2021—Dental analysis from Larisa DeSantis shows that polar bears may not be able to compete for food sources as their environment melts away.
Analysis of ancient teeth reveal clues about how sociopolitical systems grow
Dec. 15, 2020—Isotope analysis of ancient Peruvian teeth gives anthropologists a clearer image of how cooperating societies function.
Vanderbilt paleontologists host National Fossil Day event for kids Oct. 10
Oct. 2, 2020—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.
International collaboration draws new conclusions about ‘convergent evolution’ of saber-tooth cats
Jun. 26, 2020—International collaboration shows that marsupial saber-tooth cats were more closely related to possums than fearsome predators.
Unexpected mammal provides insight into the lives of ancient hominins
Jun. 11, 2020—Paleontologist and associate professor of biological sciences Larisa DeSantis finds answers about early hominin diets are with an unrelated group of mammals—tapirs.
Where are the quokkas? New study explains what happened to the “happiest animal in the world”
Feb. 21, 2020—The quokka, a small marsupial native to Australia, is an example of a species vulnerable to extinction in the country’s harsh surroundings. In a new study, researchers at Vanderbilt University demonstrate evidence for the dramatic decline of quokkas over the past century.
Intense look at La Brea Tar Pits explains why we have coyotes, not saber-toothed cats
Aug. 5, 2019—The most detailed study to date of ancient predators trapped in the La Brea Tar Pits is helping Americans understand why today we’re dealing with coyotes dumping over garbage cans and not saber-toothed cats ripping our arms off.
Panel discussion on STEM career paths set for March 12
Mar. 8, 2019—The Vanderbilt community is invited to a panel discussion on Tuesday, March 12, titled “ZigZags: Honest STEM Career Paths.” The discussion will be held at the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center.
Childhood meeting with Bush inspired Vanderbilt’s DeSantis to be role model for others
Dec. 6, 2018—When Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Larisa DeSantis was 9 years old, she had the opportunity to meet with then-President George H.W. Bush in the Oval Office. The interaction with the 41st president would have a profound effect on her life.
Climate change the likely killer of Australian marsupial lion
Oct. 19, 2018—The extinction of one of Australia’s top predators, the marsupial lion, was likely a result of changing weather patterns and loss of habitat rather than human impacts, a study led by Vanderbilt University paleontologist Larisa DeSantis has found.