Chuck Ciampaglio

Biography

Education History: DUKE UNIVERSITY, Durham, North Carolina Ph.D. September 2002 Major: Paleontology Minor: Geology DUKE UNIVERSITY, Durham, North Carolina Master of Arts: February 2000 Major: Zoology Minor: Geology TOWSON UNIVERSITY, Towson, Maryland, 1991-1997 Degree: B.S. (summa cum laude) Major: Chemistry Minor: Mathematics Major: Physics Concentration: Biology

Research Interest

His current research efforts are divided between macroevolutionary paleobiology and tradional field paleontology. With regard to the former, he primarily interested in the evolution of large-scale morphological changes within the non-tetrapod Vertebrata, and the origination of higher taxonomic groups, i.e. classes, orders, and families. In particular, I am investigating how various constraints, developmental mechanisms, mass extinctions, and large scale geologic changes have affected the course of metazoan life throughout the Phanerozoic. With regard to the latter, I am performing systematic and taxonomic studies involving primarily chondrichthyan faunas from South-Central, Mid-Western, Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and Gulf Coastal regions of the US, and other localities globally.His research, which includes my graduate, and undergraduate students, are actively involed in the following projects: Evolution, morphological variation and patterns and processes of origination and extinction rates within the Chondrichthyans throughout the Phanerozoic (especially over Mass Extinction events). Phylogeny and systematics of Middle – Late Devonian Chondrichthyan Faunas from Ohio and Kentucky. Phylogeny and systematics of Mississippian Chondrichthyan Faunas from Kentucky, Indiana, and Iowa. Phylogeny and systematics of Pennsylvanian and Permian Chondrichthyan Faunas from Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Missouri, and Kansas. Phylogeny and systematics of Cretaceous and Cenozoic Chondrichthyan Faunas from the Southeastern and Gulf regions of the US. The evolution of the "mega-tooth shark lineage, including Megaselachus megalodon and its relatives. The origination and evolution of the Great White shark Carcharodon carcharias and its proposed Mako (Isurus) relatives. The evolution of filter feeding within the elasmobranchs (traditional sharks and rays). Patterns and processes of evolutionary convergence within marine vertebrates. Statistical analysis of abundance and diversity of "fish" faunas from marine and freshwater bone-beds. Chemical methods of breakdown and digestion of vertebrate fossil-bearing siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentary rocks in order to retrieve chondrichthyan (sharks and their relatives) remains. Service: