David Birlenbach

Visiting Assistant Professor, Geology

David Birlenbach's research is focused on the intersection of evolution and ecology. His research utilizes the fossil record to better understand biotic and abiotic influences on the evolution of mammalian species and changes in community structure over time. He is also interested in the relationship between the morphology of extant organisms and their ecology. This has led to projects that deal with how shape and morphological features are used to predict aspects of an organism's niche, including its diet, size, and locomotion. One of the aims of this research is to leverage what is learned in modern systems to characterize the paleoecology of extinct organisms and track changes across time and space. His research blends fieldwork, museum collections, and a variety of analytical methods to better understand changes in Earth's systems and processes and how they affect mammals on geologic time scales. 

Education
BS University of Washington 2011
MS University of Illinois 2014
Classes
Climate Change ENVS 140-A Fall 2024
Introduction to GIS ENVS 250-A Fall 2024
Climate Change ENVS 340-A Fall 2024
Introduction to GIS ENVS 250-A Spring 2025
Field Methods and GIS ENVS 307-A Spring 2025

Contact Information

Thompson 117A