Luo Lab | University of Chicago

People

Principal Investigator

Zhe-Xi Luo

Zhe-Xi Luo

Professor

The research of Dr. Zhe-Xi Luo focuses on the evolutionary biology of Mesozoic mammals. The focus of this work is to decipher the origins of mammalian biological adaptations, evolutionary relationship of major lineages, ecological diversification, and developmental patterns. Of particular interest is the evolution of the mammalian middle ear and hyoid apparatus.

More about Zhe-Xi Luo

Staff

April Neander

April Neander

Research Specialist

April Neander is a research specialist for the Luo Lab and PaleoCT Lab. Her work and responsibilities include scientific illustration and visualization, micro-CT operations, and lab management. April has been working in the Luo Lab since 2012.

More about April Neander

Students

 Isaac Magallanes

Isaac Magallanes

Graduate Student

Isaac Magallanes is a 3rd year graduate student in the Committee on Evolutionary Biology (CEB). He received his both his bachelor’s science degree at California State University, Fullerton and his master’s degree at the University of Florida in the Geological Sciences. Isaac is interested in studying the evolutionary patterns of mammalian tooth morphology. In particular, he is interested in studying potential shifts in the functional relationship between the tooth-crown and root structures across key morphological transitions, like the advent of the tribosphenic in therian mammals. For his research, Isaac uses geometric morphometrics and 3D visualization software to compare morphological variation and functional diversity between modern therian taxa and their non-therian predecessors.

Peishu Li

Peishu Li

Graduate Student

Peishu is a third-year PhD student in the Luo lab. He is broadly interested in the functional basis underlying major macroevolutionary transitions. For his dissertation research, Peishu focuses on the evolution and biomechanics of the hyoid apparatus and surrounding musculature in mammals. His research utilizes linear morphometrics, diceCT and the XROMM workflow to study the morphological disparity of hyoids in primates and other mammals, and how such disparity may translate to variation in 3D hyoid kinematics and bolus propulsion mechanisms during swallowing. Before joining the Luo lab, Peishu has conducted research on the dental topography of extinct South American stem platyrrhines, the skeletal anatomy of newborn ursids, and the igneous petrology of Hawaiian basalts.

Peishu Li’s CV

Past Students and Postdoctoral Associates

Julia Schultz

Past Postdoctoral Associate

Julia’s research interests focus on early mammalian evolution with emphasis on functional morphology of dentition and reconstruction of mastication patterns. She also works on the evolution of the mammalian middle and inner ear morphology using micro-computed tomography, 3D-reconstruction and virtual simulation.

Dr. Julia Schultz is now at Universität Bonn.

Bhart-Anjan Bhullar

Past Postdoctoral Associate

Research on Cynodont/Mammaliaform evolution and mammalian skull morphogenesis.

Dr. Bhullar is now Asst. Professor/Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and Zoology at Yale University.

Robert Burroughs

Past Graduate Student

Robert is interested in understanding various mechanisms by which macroevolution occurs. His research utilizes geometric morphometrics, molecular-based phylogeography, and experimental developmental biology to understand the mechanisms behind the evolution of rodent molars in the Cenozoic. In particular he works with muroid rodents. Robert also has an interest in functional morphology, biogeography, and phylogeny of testudinoid turtles.

Dr. Burroughs is now a Postdoctoral Fellow at Seattle Children’s Research Institute.

Jacqueline Lungmus

Past Graduate Student

Jackie Lungmus works on the macroevolutionary patterns of Permian synapsids, focusing primarily on the morphological disparity and functional diversity of their pectoral girdles. 

Dr. Lungmus is now a Postdoctoral Fellow at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

David Grossnickle

Past Graduate Student

David is interested in early mammal evolution and vertebrate paleontology. Hi research employs comparative techniques such as morphometrics to examine macroevolutionary patterns and diets of Mesozoic mammals. He is particularly interested in teeth and jaws, as these fossils are especially abundant and ecologically informative.

Dr. Grossnickle is now a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Washington. 

William Currey

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2022

Spencer K. Pevsner

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2019

Mark Juhn

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2016

Dawn Mitchell

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2014

Ryan Philips

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2022

James Wauer

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2017

Samuel "Spiro" Sullivan

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2015

Andrew Traynor

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2021

Ben Sulser

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2016

Lawrence Wang

Past Undergraduate Student

Class of 2015

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