2017 — Ph. D., Geology
University of Kansas Department of Geology, Lawrence, Kansas
Advisors: Hans-Peter Schultze and Paul Selden
Dissertation: Biodiversity and Evolutionary Relationships of Early Mesozoic Ray-Finned Fishes (Actinopterygii)
2012 — M. S., Geology
University of Kansas Department of Geology, Lawrence, Kansas
Advisors: Hans-Peter Schultze and Bruce Lieberman
Thesis: Investigating the Diversity of Semionotid Fishes (Neopterygii: Semionotiformes) in the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Southern Utah
2006 — B. S., Geology (Summa cum Laude)
Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
Advisor: C. Frederick Lohrengel, III
2004 — A. S., Geology
College of Eastern Utah, Price, Utah
Advisor: Michelle Fleck
Professional Experience
2018–Present — Assistant Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Hydrologic Sciences and Department of Biological Sciences, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota
2018 — Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota
2015–2019 — Paleontology Community Blog Editor, Public Library of Science (PLOS), http://blogs.plos.org/paleocomm
2010–2015 — Graduate Teaching Assistant, Peer-Led Undergraduate Supplements (PLUS) Program, University of Kansas, Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity, NIH Grant #R25GM62232 from the National Institute of General Medical Science, Lawrence, KS
2012, 2013 — Fossil Preparator (Employed), The Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois
2010–2011 — Bridges to the Baccalaureate (Bridge) Program Assistant, University of Kansas (KU) and Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU), Lawrence, KS.
2011 — Assistant Instructor, Student Professional Development Seminar (BIOL 420), University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University.
2009 — Graduate Teaching Assistant, Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (BIOL 150), University of Kansas.
2008–2009 — Graduate Curatorial Assistant, University of Kansas Natural History Museum, Lawrence, KS.
2008–2009 — Volunteer Coordinator (Employed), University of Kansas Natural History Museum Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory.
2006–2008 — Preparation Lab and Collections Manager, St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, St. George, Utah.
Field Experience
2008–2010, 2015 San Juan County, Utah
Fieldwork and Quarry Supervisor, survey and collection of vertebrate remains in Lisbon Valley and Indian Creek Recreation Area
2006–2008 Washington County, Utah
Survey and Excavation of Mesozoic and Cenozoic paleontological localities
Grants and Awards
2019
- Evolutionary Relationships of the Early Mesozoic Ray-Finned Fishes in the Order Redfieldiiformes. St. Cloud State University Faculty Improvement Grant—Research — $9,452
2016
- Albert E. Wood Student Research Grant — $1,200.00
- Jackson School of Geosciences Student Travel Grant — $400.00
- Raymond and Lillian Moore Scholarship — $1200.00
- Ernst Mayr Travel Grant in Animal Systematics — $1,500.00
2015
- Frederick H. Stoye Award for best student oral presentation at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists in Reno, Nevada — $300.00
- American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Graduate Student Travel Grant to the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists in Reno, Nevada — $600.00
- KU Department of Geology Summer Support – $2,500.00
- Geological Society of America Student Research Grant — $1,875.00
- NSF DEB-1502005. Gibson, S. Z. DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The Evolution of Specialized Teeth and Jaws in Early Mesozoic Ray-Finned Fishes and Their Impact on Widespread Niche Differentiation. — $19,434.00. Awarded 7/1/15-6/30/18.
2014
- Award for Best Student Paper, Ichthyology, in the 2013 volume of Copeia (American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists)
- Lloyd Henbest Scholarship (University of Kansas Department of Geology) — $1,500.00
- Roger L. Kaesler Memorial Fund Scholarship (University of Kansas Department of Geology) — $1,000.00
- Panorama Society Small Grant (University of Kansas Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Institute) — $800.00
2013
- Raymond C. and Lillian B. Moore Scholarship (University of Kansas Department of Geology) — $2,750.00
- Panorama Society Small Grant (University of Kansas Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Institute) — $1,000.00
- Kansas Academy of Science 145th Annual Meeting, Award for Best PhD Oral Presentation — $200.00
2012
- Graduate Scholarly Presentation Fund (University of Kansas) — $500.00
- Association of Women Geoscientists Osage Chapter Chevron Graduate Student Research Scholarship — $500.00
- Field Museum of Natural History Visiting Scholarship — $1,500.00
2011
- G-Hawker Student Symposium Award, 1st place for Graduate Oral Presentation (University of Kansas) — $700.00
- Panorama Society Small Grant (University of Kansas Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Institute) — $900.00
2010
- Panorama Society Small Grant (University of Kansas Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Institute) — $700.00
- 2009 Panorama Society Small Grant (University of Kansas Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Institute) — $800.00
- Kansas Geological Foundation Scholarship (University of Kansas) — $1,000.00
- KU Endowment Fund Summer Research Grant (University of Kansas) — $1,500.00
- PaleoResource Consultants Grant — $280.00
- Utah Friends of Paleontology Grant — $250.00
2008
- G-Hawker Student Symposium Award, 3rd place for Graduate Oral Presentation (University of Kansas) — $200.00
2007
- Dinosaur Ah!Torium Foundation Grant – $400.00
Publications
Peer-reviewed Publications
[6] Gibson, S. Z. 2018. A new species of Lasalichthys (Actinopterygii, Redfieldiiformes) from the Upper Triassic Dockum Group of Howard County, Texas, with revisions to the genera Lasalichthys and Synorichthys. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. doi.:10.1080/02724634.2018.1513009.
[5] Smith, W.L., Buck, C. A., Ornay, G. S., Davis, M. P., Martin, R. P., Gibson, S. Z., and Girard, M. G. 2018. Improving Vertebrate Skeleton Images: Fluorescence and the Non-Permanent Mounting of Cleared-and-Stained Specimens. Copeia 106(3): 427–435. doi:10.1643/CG-18-047
[4] Gibson, S. Z. 2016. Redescription and Phylogenetic Placement of †Hemicalypterus weiri Schaeffer, 1967 (Actinopterygii, Neopterygii) from the Triassic Chinle Formation, Southwestern United States: New Insights into Morphology, Ecological Niche, and Phylogeny. PLoS ONE 11(9): e0163657. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0163657
[3] Gibson, S. Z. 2015. Evidence of a specialized feeding niche in a Late Triassic ray-finned fish: Evolution of multidenticulate teeth and benthic scraping in †Hemicalypterus. The Nature of Science — Naturwissenschaften 102:10. doi:10.1007/s00114-015-1262-y
[2] Gibson, S. Z. 2013. Biodiversity and evolutionary history of †Lophionotus (Neopterygii: †Semionotiformes) from the western United States. Copeia 2013: 582–603.
[1] Gibson, S. Z. 2013. A new hump-backed ginglymodian fish (Neopterygii: †Semionotiformes) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation of southeastern Utah. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 33: 1037–1050.
Guidebooks and Other Publications
[4] Milner, A. R. C., Birthisel, T., Kirkland, J. I., Breithaupt, B., Matthews, N., Lockley, M. G., Santucci, V. L., Gibson, S. Z., DeBlieux, D., Hurlbut, M., Harris, J. D., and Olsen, P. E. 2014. Tracking Early Jurassic dinosaurs in southwestern Utah and the Triassic-Jurassic Transition. Nevada State Museum Paleontological Papers 1: 1–107.
[3] Davis, M. P., and Gibson, S. Z. 2011. Book Review for The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution (Second Edition). Copeia 2011: 470–471.
[2] Milner, A. R. C., Spears, S. Z., Foss, S. E., Ferris-Rowley, D., and Kirkland, J. I. 2009. Urban Interface Paleontology in Washington County, Utah. Proceedings of the Eighth Conference on Fossil Resources: 131–151.
[1] Milner, A. R. C. and Spears, S. Z. 2007. Mesozoic and Cenozoic paleoichnology of southwestern Utah. Utah Geological Association Publication 35: 1–85.
Professional Presentations (Presenter in Bold)
2019
Gibson, S. Z. Revisiting †Tanaocrossus kalliokoskii: An Enigmatic Fish from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, southwestern United States. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, July 2019, Snowbird, Utah. Oral Presentation.
2018
Gibson, S. Z. The Evolutionary Relationships of the Order †Redfieldiiformes (Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii). Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, July 2018, Rochester, New York. Oral Presentation.
2017
Smith, W. L., Buck, C., Gibson, S. Z., Davis, M. P., Martin, R. L., Girard, M. Techniques for the Improved Visualization of Vertebrate Anatomy. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, July 2017, Austin, Texas. Poster Presentation.
2016
Gibson, S. Z. Three-dimensional fish fossils from a Triassic Texas pond: Novel anatomical insights and systematic placement of a new species of redfieldiid fish (Osteichthyes: Actinopterygii). Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, October, 2016, Salt Lake City, Utah. Poster Presentation.
Gibson, S. Z. Three-Dimensional Fish Fossils from a Triassic Texas Pond: Novel Anatomical Insights and Systematic Placement of a New Species of Redfieldiid Fish (Osteichthyes: Actinopterygii). Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, July 2016, New Orleans, Louisiana. Poster Presentation.
2015
Gibson, S. Z. Multidenticulate teeth in Triassic fish Hemicalypterus weiri (Osteichthyes: Actinopterygii): Evidence for a specialized feeding niche in the Mesozoic. Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Dallas, Texas, October 2015. Oral presentation.
Gibson, S. Z. Multidentictulate Teeth in the lower actinopterygian fish †Hemicalypterus: evidence for a specialized feeding niche in the Late Triassic. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Reno, Nevada, July 2015. Oral presentation. Stoye Award for best student oral presentation.
2014
Gibson, S. Z. Redescribing the enigmatic taxon †Hemicalypterus weiri (Osteichthyes: Actinopterygii) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation of southeastern Utah. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Chattanooga, Tennessee, July–August 2014. Oral presentation.
Gibson, S. Z. The actinopterygian fishes of the Newark Supergroup and Chinle Formation, North America: New discoveries and comments on the diversity of fishes from the Early Mesozoic. Geological Society of American Southeastern Section Meeting, Blacksburg, Virginia, April 2014. Invited Oral Presentation for the symposium Contextualizing the Importance of the Newark Supergroup to Understanding the Biotic Change in the Early Mesozoic.
2013
Newbrey, M. G., Gibson, S. Z., Brinkman, D. G., and Neuman, A. G. A new semionotiform from the Upper Cretaceous Scollard Formation (Maastrichtian), Alberta, Canada. Mesozoic Fishes VI, Vienna, Austria, August 2013. Oral Presentation.
Gibson, S. Z. Semionotid fishes (Neopterygii: Semionotiformes) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation: New species and comments on the relationships of semionotiform fishes. Kansas Academy of Science, Paleontology Symposium. Overland Park, Kansas, April 2013. Oral Presentation.
2012
Gibson, S. Z. Semionotiform fishes (Neopterygii: Ginglymodi) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation of southern Utah: New species and comments on the relationships of semionotiform fishes from the western United States. Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Raleigh, North Carolina, October 2012. Poster Presentation.
2011
Gibson, S. Z. A new species of semionotid (Neopterygii: Semionotiformes) fish from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, southern Utah. University of Kansas Department of Geology G-Hawker Student Symposium, Lawrence, Kansas, September 2011. Oral Presentation.
Gibson, S. Z. A new species of semionotid (Neopterygii: Semionotiformes) fish from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, southern Utah. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 2011. Oral Presentation.
2010
Gibson, S. Z. Late Triassic semionotiform fishes from southern Utah, United States. Mesozoic Fishes V, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, August, 2010. Poster Presentation.
2009
Gibson, S. Z., Milner, A.R.C., Ferris-Rowley, D. Establishing the nation’s first paleontological site stewardship program in Washington County, Utah. University of Kansas Department of Geology G-Hawker Student Symposium, Lawrence, Kansas, October 2009. Oral Presentation.
Gibson, S. Z., Milner, A.R.C., Ferris-Rowley, D., Foss, S.E., Kirkland, J.I. The nation’s first BLM Paleontological Site Stewardship Program established in Washington County, Utah. Eighth Conference on Fossil Resources, St. George, Utah, May 2009. Oral Presentation.
Milner, A. R. C., Gibson, S. Z., and Harris, J.D. An overview of paleontological resources on federal and state lands in Washington County, Utah. Eighth Conference on Fossil Resources, St. George, Utah, May 2009. Oral Presentation.
Gibson, S. Z., Milner, A. R. C., Ferris-Rowley, D. Establishing the nation’s first paleontological site stewardship program in Washington County, Utah. Kansas Academy of Science, Topeka, Kansas, March 2009. Oral Presentation.
2008
Gibson, S. Z., Milner, A. R. C., Ferris-Rowley, D., Foss, S. E., and Kirkland, J. I. The nation’s first BLM Paleontological Site Stewardship Program established in Washington County, Utah. Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Cleveland, Ohio, October 2008. Poster Presentation.
Milner, A. R. C., Gibson, S. Z., Olsen, P. E. New specimens of Tanaocrossus (Actinopterygii, Perleidiformes) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation of the western United States. Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Cleveland, Ohio, October 2008. Poster Presentation.
Gibson, S. Z., Milner, A. R. C, and Kirkland, J. I. Fossil semionotid fish from the Owl Rock Member, Chinle Formation (Late Triassic), San Juan County, Utah. Meeting of the Western Association of Vertebrate Paleontologists, Flagstaff, Arizona, February 2008. Oral Presentation.
2007
Gibson, S. Z., Milner, A. R. C., Kirkland, J. I. Fossil fishes from the Lower Jurassic (Hettangian) Moenave Formation in southern Utah. Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Austin, Texas, October 2007. Poster Presentation.
Gibson, S. Z., Milner, A. R. C., And Kirkland, J. I. The significance of fossil semionotid fish from the Chinle Formation (Late Triassic), San Juan County, Utah. Geological Society of America Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, St. George, Utah, May 2007. Oral Presentation.
2006
Gibson, S. Z., Milner, A. R. C., Lohrengel, C. F., and Kirkland, J. I. The significance of fossil semionotid fish from the Owl Rock Member, Chinle Formation (Late Triassic), San Juan County, Utah. Geological Society of America Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Gunnison, Colorado, May 2006. Poster Presentation.
Invited Seminars
2019
Gibson, S. Z. Fishes of the Early Mesozoic: New discoveries in North America. Soft Rock Seminar Series, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gibson, S. Z. Fishy Finds in a Turbulent Time: New discoveries of early Mesozoic fossil fishes in the southwestern United States. PaleoFest, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, Illinois.
2016
Gibson, S. Z. Just Keep Swimming: A Look at the Fossil Fishes of the Triassic Southwest. Utah Friends of Paleontology Southwest Chapter Meeting, Dixie State College, St. George, Utah.
2015
Gibson, S. Z. Fossil fishes of the Chinle Formation: snapshot of a Late Triassic ecosystem. Saint Cloud State University Department of Biology Seminar Series, Saint Cloud, Minnesota.
2014
Gibson, S. Z. Fossil fishes of the Chinle Formation: snapshot of a Late Triassic ecosystem. Regis University Department of Biology Seminar Series, Denver, Colorado.
2013
Gibson, S. Z. Exploring the diversity of fishes in the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, southern Utah, USA. Royal Tyrrell Museum Speaker Series, Drumheller, Alberta, Canada.
2008
Gibson, S. Z. Tracking Elusive Beasts: Significant Discoveries by the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. Utah Friends of Paleontology Southwest Chapter Meeting, Dixie State College, St. George, Utah.
Synergistic Activities and Professional Service
2019–Present
- Auction Committee, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
2019
- Workshop Presenter, Tech Savvy Conference for girls in fifth to ninth grade focused on STEM. Hosted by American Association of University Women.
- Volunteered for the 1st annual DinoFest at the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. Provided paleontological outreach to the public, displayed and discussed fossils.
- Participated as a faculty advisor for the St. Cloud State University Hydrology/Geology Club’s annual field trip to examine geologic sites of interest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
2018–Present
- Editorial Board, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.
2018
- Workshop Presenter, Tech Savvy Conference for girls in fifth to ninth grade focused on STEM. Hosted by American Association of University Women.
- American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Resolutions Committee for the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, July 2018, Rochester, New York.
- Volunteered in the Division of Fishes at the Field Museum’s Annual Members’ Night, providing scientific outreach to the public and teaching museum members about fishes, fish biology, and paleontology.
2017–Present
- Assist with online promotion of the National Fossil Day, a celebration of the U.S.’s fossil heritage hosted by the National Park Service [Archived here]
2016–2017
- American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Best Papers in Copeia Committee.
2015
- Ambassador for the inaugural Kansas DNA Day. Assisted in planning and implementing DNA Day activities, designed modules for presentation, visited a Kansas City-area high school and taught freshman about DNA, pharmacogenomics, and pursuing a career in science.
- Volunteered in the Division of Fishes at the Field Museum’s Annual Members’ Night, providing scientific outreach to the public and teaching museum members about fishes, fish biology, and paleontology.
2012
- Special Guest on The Field Museum’s “What the Fish?” podcast series. [Archived here]
2009–2015
- Involved with the development of PLUS (Peer Led Undergraduate Supplements), a program aimed at improving student performance in biology, microbiology, genetics and chemistry. This program is part of the Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity Grant at the University of Kansas (NIH Grant #R25GM62232 from the National Institute of General Medical Science).
2010–2014
- Assisting in improving the Bridges to the Baccalaureate (Bridge) Program at Haskell Indian Nations University. Updating methods and resources for identifying mentors and research labs for Bridge participants, working closely with Bridge participants to ensure retention, evaluating the program for grant renewal support (also funded under the Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity Grant (NIH #R25GM060182).
2006–2010
- Volunteer for the Washington County Paleontological Site Stewardship Program for the Bureau of Land Management. Assist in establishing sites for monitoring, and compile data packets for each site, assign and train volunteers for participation in the program, public outreach.
2009
- Field Trip Co-Leader to paleontological localities in Washington County, Utah, Eighth Conference on Fossil Resources, St. George, Utah.
- Conference Host Committee Member, Eighth Conference on Fossil Resources, St. George, Utah.
2006–2008
- Developed curriculum and was the instructor for the Junior Paleontology Camp (summer only, ages 5–12) and Junior Paleontology Club (school year extracurricular group, ages 10–12), St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, St. George, Utah.
- Vice President, Southwest Chapter of the Utah Friends of Paleontology.
- Invited to participate in the Colorado Plateau Coring Project workshop to discuss potential sites for coring to study the Triassic/Jurassic boundary, strata, paleontology, etc. Field trip Co-Leader as part of workshop to sites of geological and paleontological interest in Washington County, Utah.
- Field Trip Co-Leader to paleontological and geological localities in southern Utah, Geological Society of America Rocky Mountain Section annual meeting, St. George, Utah.
Sarah Z. Gibson 