Faculty contact:
Susan Kemper
skemper@ku.edu
785-864-4131
Technical contact:
RGS web master
rgs_web_dl@mail.ku.edu
785-864-7778
tntaylor@ku.edu
University of Kansas
Haworth Hall
1200 Sunnyside Ave.
Lawrence, KS 66045
Telephone: 785-864-3625
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Paleobiology; biology and evolution of fossil plants and fungi; fossil plants as climate proxy records, especially from Antarctica.
The program in paleobotany at the University of Kansas is world class and includes collections of fossil plants from throughout the world ranging in age from the Precambrian to Recent, and including all forms of preservation. Within the program is the largest collection of fossil plants from Antarctica that includes impressions, compressions and permineralizations. Research currently in progress by undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, curatorial staff and faculty include: fossil plants and tree rings as proxy records of climate change, studies of anatomically preserved plants and from throughout the geologic record, the evolution of land plants, the origin and evolution of reproductive systems in plants, ultrastructure and geochemistry of fossil plants, the origin and diversification of major groups of seed plants. Research in paleobotany has been supported continuously by the National Science Foundation of more than 40 years.
The graduate program in paleontology is ranked in the top 5 nationally and includes faculty expertise in a wide range of paleobiological disciplines. This insures that students at all levels of inquiry are not only broadly trained, but exposed to, and able to conduct research in, cutting edge paleobiology. The synergism resulting from the teaching and research activities within these programs provides a unique opportunity for students to gain an understanding about the biology and evolution of ancient organisms. As a result our students have a competitive edge as they more forward in their career choices.
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