B.S., Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey (Geological Sciences), 2002

M.S., Columbia University, New York, NY (Earth and Environmental Sciences), 2004

PhD, Columbia University, New York, NY (Earth and Environmental Sciences), 2007

TEACHING AND RESEARCH AREAS:
My research focuses on avian paleontology and systematics. I am interested in reconstructing the evolutionary relationships of birds through analysis of morphological and molecular data, with an emphasis on fossil diversity.  Incorporating the stratigraphic information from fossils into phylogenetic analyses reveals the timing of major radiations, biogeographic events, and patterns of survivorship across extinction horizons and intervals of abrupt climate shifts.

One of my primary groups of interest is Sphenisciformes (penguins). Research projects involve applying systematic analyses, histological studies and computed tomography scanning to gain insight into the evolution of underwater flight in these fascinating birds.  Penguins have thick, osteosclerotic bones that preserve well in many environments and so they have an excellent fossil record by avian standards.  Field work and international collaborations often bring me to Peru and New Zealand, two centers of fossil penguin diversity.

Outside of Sphenisciformes, ongoing projects target resolving the relationships of fossil Galliformes (landfowl) and using this data to whether modern landfowl diversified before or after the K-T extinction, tracking patterns of dispersal and ecological specialization in Coliiformes (mousebirds), and describing a new Miocene avifauna from the western US including new species of grebes, songbirds and other groups.

My teaching interests include introductory and core paleontology undergraduate courses (Dinosaurian World, Terrestrial Paleontology) and graduate courses in phylogenetic systematics and comparative anatomy (offered under MEA 592).

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
Publications Link

Ksepka, D.T. and M.A. Norell. 2010. The illusory evidence for Asian
Brachiosauridae: new specimens of Erketu ellisoni and a phylogenetic
reappraisal of basal Titanosauriformes. American Museum Novitates
3700: 1-27

Clarke, J.A., D.T. Ksepka, R. Salas-Gismondi, A.J. Altamirano, M.D.
Shawkey, L. D'Alba, J.Vinther, T.J. DeVries and P. Baby. 2010. Fossil
evidence for evolution of the shape and color of penguin feathers.
Science 330: 954-957.

Ksepka, D.T. and J.A. Clarke. 2010. Primobucco mcgrewi (Aves: Coracii)
from the Eocene Green River Formation: new anatomical data and the
earliest definitive record of stem rollers. Journal of Vertebrate
Paleontology 30: 215-225.

Hou, L.-H., P.-P. Li, D.T. Ksepka, K.-Q. Gao and M.A. Norell. 2010.
Implications of flexible-shelled eggs in a Cretaceous choristoderan
reptile. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences 227:
1235-1239.

Ksepka, D.T. and J.A. Clarke. 2010. The basal penguin (Aves:
Sphenisciformes) Perudyptes devriesi and a phylogenetic evaluation of
the penguin fossil record. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural
History 337: 1-77.

Ksepka, D.T. 2009. Broken gears in the avian molecular clock: new
phylogenetic analyses support stem galliform status for Gallinuloides
wyomingensis and rallid affinities for Amitabha urbsinterdictensis.
Cladistics 25: 173-197.