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RESEARCH GROUP

Those who share my passion

Graduate students
Helen Burch

PhD Student

heburch@vt.edu

Office: 3051 Derring

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Research topics:

-Ecological modeling

-Body size reconstruction

-Trophic levels of

communities

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Website: https://burchhelene.wixsite.com/helen-burch-paleo

Isaac Pugh

PhD Student

isaacp22@vt.edu

Office: 3051 Derring

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Research topics:

-microvertebrate

accumulations

-Drepanosaurs!

-Relationships of reptiles

 

Website: https://isaac-pugh.weebly.com/

Brynden Perkins

PhD Student

bryndenp@vt.edu

Office: 3051 Derring

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Research topics:

-Silesaurid evolution and paleobiology

-Archosaur systematics

-Early dinosaur relationships

 

Website: https://bryndenp.wixsite.com/brynden-perkins

Postdoctoral Researchers
Davide Foffa

davidefoffa@vt.edu

Office: 5051 Derring

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Research topics:

-Permian-Triassic Mass Extinction
-Paleoecology of terrestrial and marine assemblages
-Mesozoic vertebrate anatomy, systematics, functional morphology and evolution

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Website: https://davidefoffa.weebly.com/

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Prospective graduate students
Perspective students

I am looking for Master's and PhD students that are passionate about using Earth's record to 1) better understand life through time, particularly through important climatic events in the Mesozoic, 2) understanding the relationships of reptiles and how those relationships help us understand the biology of living reptiles, and 3) how to better connect paleontology to a greater understanding of science through interacting with local, national, and international communities. All members of research group must respect, value, and celebrate the various attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique.

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If you are interested in joining the research groups, please do not hesitate to email me. When contacting me, please provide information on: 

      1) Whether you are interested in a Master's or PhD

      2) What you would like to study (I am looking for broad questions, not specific groups)

      3) A CV if you have one.

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Undergraduate students
Former members
Graduate students
Caitlin Colleary
Candice Stefanic
Dana Korneisel
Christopher Griffin
Kiersten Formoso 
Devin Hoffman 
Brenen Wynd
Adam Fitch
Emily Keeble
Undergradaute students
Emily Lessner
Alexander Bradley 
Hunter Edwards
Christopher Hayes
Elizabeth Evans
Christina Nelson
Emily Patellos
Mason McCabe
Travis Oishi
Guest researchers
Alexander Beyl
Mario Bronzati 
Raphaël Tournier
Axel Hegron
Gabriel Mestriner
Rich Tolchard
Bailey Weiss
Lutendo Mukwevho

© 2025 by Sterling Nesbitt

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