As you can see from the list below, we like to keep in touch with former students and follow their progress.

Past students: if your details below are wrong, or you have been missed off the lists, please contact Mike Benton. A web link and e-mail contact details are welcome.

PhD positions

1. Nidia Alvarez Armada(2014): The taphonomy of pigmentary colour in fossil insects and feathers (University of Cork, Ireland)
2. Gemma Benevento(2013): How did mammals evolve into their ecological niches through time? Quantitative tests of calssic macroevolutionary hypotheses. (University of Oxford).
3. Terri Cleary(2013): Lepidosaurian diversity through time: the interplay of climate and macroevolution (University College London/ Natural History Museum).
4. Thomas Clements(2013): Decay, preservation and environmental controls on non-biomineralized fossil anatomy: the taphonomy of the Carboniferous Mazon Creek, USA (University of Leicester)
5. Matt Cobley(2011): Physiological evolution in vertebrates (University of Utah)
6. Catherine Davis(2011): PhD, University of California, Davis.
7. Richard Dearden(2014): Early gnathostome evolution; title to be confirmed (Imperial College, London).
8. Ross Elgin(2005): Flight and flight control in short tailed Pterosauria (University of Heidelberg).
9. César Espinoza Campuzano (2014): Influence of fitness landscape in bird phylogeny (University of Oxford).
10. Matteo Fabbri (2014): Title to be determined (Yale University, USA).
11. Denver Fowler (2000): The Hell Creek-Lance transition (Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman). Contact.
12. Nicola Heckeberg(2010): Deer, antlers and trees - a total evidence approach to cervid evolution (LMU, Munich and Cambridge)
13. Andrew Jones(2014): Functional convergences between Triassic phytosaurs and modern and extinct crocodilians (University of Birmingham).
14. Robert Lemanis(2014): Ammonoid morphometrics and imaging (Ruhr Universität Bochum, Germany.
15. Kara Ludwig (2014): The rise of fishes after the fall of the Ordovician world (University of Pennsylvania). Contact.
16. Jamie MacLaren(2011): Biomechanical evolution of equine limbs (Functional Morphology Lab., University of Antwerp).
17. David Marshall(2008): Investigations into the nature of early chelicerate cuticle, University of Bristol.
18. Rachael Moore (2014): The ocean crust as a microbial incubator (Institut du Physique du Globe, Paris). Contact.
19. Elis Newham(2014): Feeding habits of Mesozoic mammals (provisional title; University of Southampton).
20. Edine Pape(2012): Investigating biogeochemical evidence for chemosymbiosis at fossil cold seeps (University of Leeds).
21. Mark Puttick(2012): Ecological selectivity during the end-Permian mass extinction (University of Bristol).
22. Kelly Richards (2009): Early Carboniferous chondrichthyan faunas from the Peak District of Derbyshire: skeletal anatomy, systematics, phylogeny and environments (University of Cambridge). Contact.
23. Chris Rogers(2012): Vertebrate taphonomy of the Jehol Group (Early Cretaceous), NE China (University of Bristol).
24. Lara Shychoski (2006): Morphometrics of tyrannosauroid feeding (University of Alberta, Edmonton). Contact.
25. Snorri Sigurdsson(2005): The evolution of birds (AMNH, City University of New York).
26. Elizabeth Sweet (2006): Carbon-13 in particulate organic matter in the southern ocean (Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Sciences, Bremerhaven, Germany. Contact.
27. Emily Woodruff (2010): Early primate evolution (Florida Museum of Natural History). Contact.

 

Post-PhD

These former MSc students have completed PhDs, and are now pursuing their further careers.

1. Dr Rachael Allen (2002): Basal archosaur phylogeny (Northern Illinois University, DeKalb); now Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Rachael Allen Contact.
2. Dr Vivian Allen(2005): Dinosaur biomechanics (Royal Veterinary College, London); now postdoc, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena.
3. Dr Colin Barras (2002): Origin and early diversification of irregular echinoids (University of Birmingham/ NHM, 2003-6); now a science writer. Contact.
4. Dr Huw Boulton (1998): Taphonomy of insects (University of Bristol); now a laboratory technician at University of Cardiff.
5. Dr Bjørn-Gustaf Brooks (2001): The Colonisation of Land by Arthropods: a functional analysis and ichnological investigation (University of Iowa). Postdoc., Center for Climatic Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2009-11); Postdoc., University of Illinois (2011-3); now Visting Assistant Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Saint Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia. Contact.
6. Dr Steve Brusatte (2008): Theropod phylogeny (American Museum of Natural History). Now Chancellor's Fellow, University of Edinburgh. Contact.
7. Dr Tom Challands(2003): Biosphere and geosphere dynamics during end Ordovician climate change (University of Durham). Now, Teaching Fellow in Hydrocarbon Geology, University of Edinburgh.
8. Dr Andre Butler(2006): Global scale patterns in below-ground tropical biome functioning (University of Edinburgh); now Research Manager at the Centre for Development Finance, Chennai, India.
9. Dr John Clarke(2010): How does phylogeny impact interpretations of extinction in 'deep time'? (University of Oxford); now Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Pennsylvania.
10. Dr Andrea Cobbett (2004): The tree of life and data quality (University of Bath); now Investigating officer, Somerset CID. Contact.
11. Dr Ian Corfe (2002): Biodiversity, the tree of life, and objectivity: testing the concept of character weight (University of Bristol/NHM, 2002-6); postdoc University of Helsinki (2008-). Contact.
12. Dr Nick Crumpton (2009): Anatomical correlates of electrosensitivity in mammals (University of Cambridge). Now, Nature Live Science Communicator, Natural History Museum, London. Read about Nick's research and educational activities here. Contact.
13. Dr John Cunningham (2002): The evolution of echinoid life history strategies (University of Liverpool); now postdoc., University of Bristol. Contact.
14. Dr Katie Davis (2003): A supertree of birds (University of Glasgow); postdocs in Oxford, Bath, and now BBSRC Bioninformatics post, Natural History Museum, London. Contact.
15. Dr Rob Davis(2006): A supertree of insect families (University of York); now, postdoc., University of Tartu, Estonia.
16. Dr Keith de Blanger(2001): Shark faunas across the Permo-Triassic boundary (University of Bristol, 2001-6). Now an editor for Elsevier, based in Oxford.
17. Dr Julien Divay (2005): Microvertebrates from the Late Cretaceous (University of Alberta). Now, Instructor, Rpyal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller.Contact.
18. Dr Danny Elvidge(1998): Morphometrics of Middle Jurassic dinosaur footprints (University of Sheffield, 2000-5); now a Senior Scientist-Statistician at the Environment Agency.
19. Dr Stefan Gabriel (2001): The phylogeny of a form-function complex: correlated evolution of dental morphology and diet in shrews (Queen Mary College, London, 2001-6); Teaching Fellow in Anatomy, University of Manchester (2008-). Contact.
20. Dr Andrew Gillis (2005): Developmental and genetic basis of fin/limb evolution (University of Chicago, 2005-9); Newton Research Fellow, and now Royal Society University Research Fellow (2015-2020), studying gill arch serial homology and the origin of the jawed vertebrate body plan, at Cambridge, UK. Read Andrew's account of his experiencestudying for the MSc in Palaeobiology in Bristol,
21. Dr Phil Hadland(2006): Assistant Collections Manager, Beaney Institute and Art Gallery, Canterbury.
22. Dr Thomas Halliday(2011): Paleocene mammal phylogenetics and evolution (University College London). Now, Postdoc on project on 'Paleocene mammal phylogenetics and evolution' at UCL.
23. Dr Susan Hammond (2000): Progymnosperms and the origin of the seed (University of Cardiff, 2000-4).
24. Dr Megan Harrison (1998): Marine invertebrate biology (CUNY, 2002-2008); postdoc at the American Museum of Natural History. Contact.
25. Dr Tom Harvey (2004): Early zooplankton and the Cambrian explosion (University of Cambridge); Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge; now, Lecturer in Geoscience, University of Leicester.
26. Dr Peter Heintzmann(2008): The rate, timing and extent of insect species turnover in response to climatically-driven change (Royal Holloway, University of London). Now, postdoc at University of California, Santa Cruz, USA.
27. Dr Christophe Hendrickx (2008): Evolution of teeth and feeding-related bones in nonavian theropods (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal); now Postdoc at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Contact.
28. Dr Phil Hopley (1999): Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of South African hominin-bearing cave deposits (Liverpool University, 1999-2003); then postdoc in Bristol; now (2007-) postdoc on reconstructing ancient hominin environments at the new Environment Institute at University College, London. Now, Lecturer in Palaeoclimatology at Birkbeck College London. Contact.
29. Dr Jennifer Hoyal-Cuthill (2006): Quantifying evolutionary convergence (University of Cambridge); Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Cambridge. Contact.
30. Dr Aaron Hunter (2000): Echinoderm palaeoecology in marginal marine settings (Birkbeck College, London, 2000-2004); postdoc on modern Pacific crinoids at University of Tokyo. Now, Lecturer in Malaysia. Contact.
31. Dr Simon Jackson (1999): Jurassic dinosaur footprints from the Yorkshire coast (University of Sheffield, 1999-2005). Volunteeer at the Natural History Museum, London. Read about Simon's work on dinosaur tracks in Times Higher Education.
32. Dr Phil Jardine (2006): Palaeocene vegetation and climate change from the US Gulf coast (University of Birmingham). Now, postdoc at the Open University. Contact.
33. Dr Suzanne Jennions(2010): Consequences of ocean acidification for biodiversity and food resources in the future (University of Bristol); Lecturer in Palaeobiology, University of Bristol.
34. Dr Sarah Joomun(2003): Microwear in mammal teeth and climate evolution (Royal Holloway, University of London). Now, Scanning Technician, Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford.
35. Dr Sarah Keenan (2009): Ancestral Crocodylomorpha-microbe symbioses based on the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) gut microbiome (University of Tennessee). Now, Postdoc, Saint Louis University.
36. Dr Sarah King (2008): Teaching Assistant, GEES, University of Birmingham. Read Sarah's fascinating account of Life as a Palaeontologist: How I learnt to stop worrying and love the fossils. Contact.
37. Dr Stewart Knott (2000): Plankton extinctions (University of Bristol): project/ change management, Avon & Somerset Constabulary. Contact.
38. Dr Benjamin Kotrc (2006): Coordinator of education and public outreach activities of the NASA Astrobiology team at MIT, Cambridge, USA. Contact.
39. Dr Tai Kubo (2004): Evolution of vertebrate locomotion (University of Tokyo). Then, postdoc at Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller, Alberta, and now Curator at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Japan. Contact.
40. Dr James Lamsdell (2008): Selectivity in evolution of arthropod groups, with focus on mass extinctions and radiations (University of Kansas). Now, postdoc, Yale University (2014-). Contact.
41. Dr Abigail Lane (1999): The Palaeozoic plateau: real or artefact? (University of Bristol, 2000-2002); now working for the Environment Agency. Contact.
42. Dr David Legg(2009): Fitting fossil arthropods into modern phylogenies (Imperial College London). Now, Postdoc, Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
43. Dr Graeme Lloyd (2003): Character acquisition through geological time (University of Bristol); now postdoc at the Natural History Museum. Contact.
44. Luke Mander (2006): Vegetation dynamics across the Triassic/Jurassic boundary (University College Dublin); now postdoc at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Contact.
45. Dr Chloe Marquart(2008): Investigating morphological diversity in dinosaurs (University of Cambridge).
46. Dr Jeremy Martin (2005): Revision of the gneus Diplocynodon(Crocodylia): phylogeny, origins and evolution in a palaeoclimatic context (Université de Lyon, France); now temporary lecturer at Université de Corse, Corsica.
47. Dr Alistair McGowan(1998): Palaeobiology of Triassic ammonoids (University of Chicago, 1998-2002); postdoc. on dinosaur biogeography, University College, London (NERC), then Postdoc fellowship at the Humboldt Museum, Berlin; now Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Fellow at University of Glasgow.
48. Dr Charlotte Miller (2005): Locomotor biomechanics of elephants (Royal Veterinary School, London);Instructor and Postdoc,Duke University, Evolutionary Anthropology. Read a profile of Charlotte from the Independent here . Contact.
49. Dr Lance Morrissey (2001): Integrating trace fossils, sedimentology and trace element geochemistry as correlative tools in Old Red Sandstone reservoir rocks (University of the West of England, Bristol). Now a geology instructor for GAP Adventures, leading tours in the Antarctic, Falkland Islands and South America. Contact.
50. Dr Lucy Muir (1999): Graptolite functional morphology and strategies of recovery from near-extinctions (University of Edinburgh, 2000-2003); various posts at NHM and elsewhere; now postdoc at Nanjing Institute of Geology & Paleontology. Contact.
51. Dr James Neenan(2009): Phylogenetic relationships of placodont reptiles (Diapsida, Sauropterygia) as evidenced by 3D imaging, bone histology, and developmental data (University of Zürich). Now, SFSC Postdoc, University of Oxford.
52. Dr Emma-Louise Nicholls(2006): Sharks as indicators of trophic structure within mid-Cretaceous watermasses (University College, London). Museum Assistant, Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL.
53. Dr Liz Nunn (2003): High-latitude Jurassic and Cretaceous climates (University of Plymouth, 2003-7); postdoc, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Contact.
54. Dr Dan Oakley(2004): Early angiosperm systematics and ecology: evidence from charcoal assemblages in the Czech Republic (University of Bristol). Bristol.
55. Dr Lorna O'Brien (2006): Palaeoecology of the Burgess Shale (Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada). Contact.
56. Dr Kate Olde(2009): Ocean acidification and selective mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary (Kingston University, London). Palynologist and geochemist, Kingston.
57. Dr John Orcutt(2006): Faunal recovery after the Permo-Triassic mass extinction (University of Oregon); Post-Doctoral Teacher-Scholar Fellow in Geology, Cornell College, Iowa.
58. Javier Ortega-Hernández (2009): Aspects of developmental biology in Palaeozoic euarthropods (Cambridge University); now Research Fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Contact.
59. Dr Matthew Pound (2008): Lecturer in Physical Geography, University of Northumbria.
60. Dr Abby Othman Wilson (2007): High-resolution record of environmental change in lacustrine sequences (University of Aberdeen); now professional photographer and geologist, Aberdeenshire. Contact
61. Dr Jessica Pollitt (2002): The phylogeny and evolution of Trilobita (University of Bath, 2002-5); now Editor at the Geological Society of London Publishing House, Bath. Contact.
62. Dr Nathan Price-Lloyd (2002): What makes biological clocks tick? (University of Manchester). Now a medical writer. Read about Nathan's MSc project work here.
63. Dr Laura Säilä (2002): The phylogeny of procolophonids (University of Bristol, 2008); now Postdoc., Department of Geology, University of Helsinki (Academy of Finland). See a profile of Laura and her PhD work here.
64. Dr Manabu Sakamoto(2004): Biomechanics of feeding in theropod dinosaurs (University of Bristol). Now Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol.
65. Dr Emma Schachner (2005): Comparative anatomy and evolution of maniraptoran theropods (University of Pennsylvania). Currently a postdoc in the Department of Biology at University of Utah. Read Emma's account of her experience studying for the MSc in Palaeobiology in Bristol, and see her art here. Contact.
66. Dr Ben Slater(2009): Reconstructing the Permo-Triassic floras of Prince Charles Mountains (Antarctica): phylogenetic and evolutionary significance (University of Birmingham). Now, Postdoc., University of Cambridge.
67. Dr James Tarver: Evolution of miRNAs using plant, actinopterygian and eutherian datasets; the evolution of miRNA expression patterns within eyes: Bioinformatics Centre, Maynooth University, Ireland (IRCSET Empower Fellowship). Contact.
68. Dr Ceri-Wyn Thomas(2006): Decoding the fossil record of early metazoan development (University of Bristol). Publishing Editor, IOP Press.
69. Dr Gavin Thomas (2001): Sexual selection, ecology and breeding systems of shorebirds (University of Bath, 2001-5); then postdoc at Imperial on bird conservation and distribution; now NERC Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Sheffield. Contact.
70. Dr David Waterhouse (2002): The evolutionary history of parrots (University College, Dublin, Ireland, PhD 2006). Now Curator of Natural History, Castle Museum, Norwich. See Dave's artwork here. Contact.
71. Dr James Wheeley (2002): Taphonomy and sedimentology of Ordovician platform carbonates of the Baltic region (University of Cardiff); now Lecturer in Sedimentary Geology, University of Birmingham. Contact.

 

Careers in Media, Museums and Education

1. Kate Anderson (2002): Environmental Officer, Kirkconnel Parish Heritage Society/ Scottish Natural Heritage. Contact.
2. Jacqueline Barber (2004): Primary school teacher, Fife. Contact.
3. Amirah Barri (2007): Researcher, Burning Gold Productions. Contact.
4. Emma Bernard (2006): Curatorial Assistant, Natural History Museum, London. Contact.
5. Massimo Bernardi (2009): Curatorial assistant, Trento Natural History Museum, Italy. Contact.
6. Suzanne Bowie (1999): PGCE Teacher Training, Bath; now teaching in Salisbury. Contact.
7. Margaret Browne (1999): Issue Manager, Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd; now, PhD on Quaternary palynology, University of Limerick Contact.
8. Mark Buckingham (2003): Teacher, Surrey (after PGCE at Sheffield Hallam University). Contact.
9. Colette Cherry (2002): Policy Adviser to the Vice Chancellor, University of Bournemouth. Contact. Read about Colette's role as a university policy adviser in Times Higher Education and in the University of Bournemouth Newsletter..
10. Simon Clabby (2003): Digital Marketing Coordinator, Mary Rose Museum. Contact.
11. Ben Davies(2001): Hydrodynamics of the jawless fishes (MPhil, University of Leicester).
12. Sophie Edwards (2012): Teacher training (PGCE).
13. Craig-Marcus Ellis (2002): Archaeological Assistant (Landscape Characterisation), North East Lincolnshire Council. Contact.
14. Kate France (2001): Warden, Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Dorset. Contact .
15. Isla Gladstone (2006): Curator of Natural Science, Yorkshire Museum, York (2008-13); Curator of Natural History, Bristol City Museum (2013-). Contact.
16. Matthew Gordon (2000): TV researcher, John Downer Productions, Bristol. Contact.
17. Carlos Grau(2005): Presenter, Explorer Dome, Bristol; Curator, Natural History Museum, London.
18. Jonathan Gregson (2000): Assistant Scientific Officer, South-East Asia Team, Kew.
19. Gillian Harrison (1999): Further Education resources manager, Leeds.
20. Sally Haseman (2003): PA to Sir Richard Gregory. Contact.
21. Deborah Hutchinson (2005): PGCE Training, Bath. Contact.
22. Rachel Jennings(2007): Curatorial Assistant, Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow.
23. Caroline John (née Milner) (2001): @t-Bristol (2001-2); Bristol Dinosaur Education officer (2002-3); Education Officer, Thinktank, Birmingham (2003-12); Manager of Gloucestershire STEM Ambassadors programme and schools advisory service. Contact.
24. Matt Larvan (2008): Gallery enabler, Thinktank, Birmingham. Contact.
25. Becky Laver (2000): PGCE Teacher Training, Bath.
26. Suzanne Lee (2002): PGCE Teacher Training, Nottingham. Contact .
27. Charlotte Mabey (2000): Researcher, BBC Natural History Unit, Bristol. Contact
28. Myles McLeod (1999): Animation, print and internet design, Spark and Zoom Productions. Contact.
29. Louisa New (2000): Conservation and cataloguing assistant, Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery. Contact.
30. Alan O'Connor (2007): Documentation assistant in the National Museum of Ireland, Natural History Division. Contact.
31. Steve O'Connor (2001): TEFL, English Language School, Milan. Contact.
32. Natasja den Ouden (2005): Research Associate, Naturalis, Leiden. Contact. Read about Natasja's work on Pleistocene mammals from the North Sea in Nature.
33. Claire Pepper (2002): PGCE Teacher Training, Institute of Education, London.
34. Sheila Phillips (2003): PGCE Teacher Training, Exeter. Contact.
35. Stephen Rawlinson (2000): PGCE Teacher Training, Bath.
36. Jane Retter (2000): Field officer, Lochranza Field Station, Arran.
37. Matt Riley (2004): Documentation Assistant - Natural History, Horniman Museum.
38. Hector Rivera (2003): Palaeontology Coordinator, UNAM and Museo del Desierto, Mexico.
39. Chris Rollason (2007): PGCE, Worcester.
40. Jonathan Ruffle (2003): Museums assistant, Commonwealth Museum, Bristol.
41. Snorri Sigurdsson (2005): Biology teacher, Reykjavik, Iceland. Contact.
42. Rebecca Smith (2001): Curatorial Assistant - Natural Sciences, Manchester Museum. Contact.
43. Dr Adam Stuart Smith (2003): PhD, University College, Dublin; 2004-7; Collections Access Officer (Natural History), Wollaton Hall Museum, Nottingham. See Adam's plesiosaur website . Contact.
44. Emmajane Trickett (1998): Community Liaison Officer, RSPB Fairburn Ings, West Yorkshire. Contact .
45. Vicky White (1999): Animal Science and Welfare Lecturer, Otley College, Ipswich. Contact.
46. Matt Williams (2003): Geological curator, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution.
47. Jane Worrall (2002): Director, North-east Yorkshire Geology Trust.

 

Commercial and other careers

1. Leila Blankley (1999): PA, National Heritage Memorial Fund. Contact.
2. Joseph Bonsor(2010): Junior consultant, Venture Information Management.
3. Byron Blessed (1998): Commercial rock and fossil shop in Whitby, Yorkshire. Contact.
4. Alison Brimacombe (2015): Editor, Elsevier.
5. Hannah Caine (2009): micropalaeontologist, RPS Energy, Aberdeen. Contact. See Hannah's gallery of amazing palaeontological artworks here.
6. Una Cassidy (2003): Hydrogeologist, Atkins. Contact.
7. Adele Dodgson(2003): Environmental technician, BAM Nuttall Ltd.; Chair, Greater Manchester RIGS group.
8. Toby Fountaine (2003): Solicitor, Fisher Meredith, Richmond. Contact.
9. Kieran Hardman (2007): Demand Manager, Johnson & Johnson. Contact.
10. Zena Kain (2000): Personnel management, Hays Montrose Personnel.
11. Brian Leigh(1999): Hydrologist, Environment Agency, Leeds.
12. Christine Lipkin Gordon (2003): Formerly IT Manager, Linacre College, Oxford.Now, Christchurch, New Zealand. Contact.
13. Nicholas Loughlin(2007): Geo-environmental consultancy, Vertasefli, Bristol.
14. Sean Parker (2014): Research Data Analyst, Money Saving Direct.
15. James Renshaw (2002): Exploration Geoscientist, Shell International Exploration & Production, Rijswijk, Netherlands. Contact.
16. Polly Snowden (2000): Trainee forensic scientist, Forensic Science Service.
17. Kate Yarrington (2003): International Relationship Manager, Technology Strategy Board. Contact.