Pennilyn Higgins

SIREAL
Stable Isotopes Ratios in the Environment, Analytical Laboratory

Manager / Technician

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. 2000 University of Wyoming
Geology, with emphasis on Vertebrate Paleontology

M.S. 1999 University of Wyoming
Chemistry, with emphasis on Inorganic Chemistry

B.S. 1995 Fort Lewis College
Geology

B.S. 1995 Fort Lewis College
Biology

e-mail: loligo@earth.rochester.edu
phone: 585-275-0601
fax: 585-244-5689

PRIMARY RESEARCH METHODS:

Stable isotopic analysis of carbonates (biogenic or inorganic); bioapatites; organic matter
-includes bulk and serial isotopic analysis
Vertebrate paleontology and biostratigraphy
Macrophysical Climate Modelling

RESEARCH FOCI:

Climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum in North America
Terrestrial climate change during the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum in the Western Interior of North America
Climate change and faunal turnover at the boundary between the Torrejonian and Tiffanian North American Land Mammal "Ages"
Tooth growth rates and mineralization patterns in Notoungulate mammals

OTHER RESEARCH INTERESTS

Atmospheric CO₂ concentration and effects on plant metabolism through geologic time
Uranium geochemistry and its relation to uranium ore deposition and fossil preservation;
Vertebrate taphonomy;
Application of GIS to problems in paleontology.
Philosophy of science
The controversy between creationism and evolution

PUBLICATIONS:

OTHER LINKS:

Use and Abuse of the Fossil Record
-a column hosted by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal

Paleopix.com
-a personal website showcasing our substantial camera collection