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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Image depicts a rock slab containing many trilobites of various sizes and taxa
Department of

Paleobiology

Paleobiology Icon
Our mission is to increase public and scientific understanding of the biological and environmental history of Earth through the study of fossil animals, plants, and protists. In addition to performing scientific research, we assemble and curate fossil collections that are studied by scientists from around the country and the world, we exhibit extraordinary fossils in the public spaces of our Museum and we help train future generations of paleontologists.

Further Your Research

We have over 40 million fossil specimens from around the world. Follow the links below to learn how our collections can further your research.

Collections Overview

Collections Access for Research

Specimen Loans

Opportunities
Collections drawer of fossil invertebrates
Search Our collections Database

Research & Programs

Image depicts the fossil lab from the outside with four individuals behind the glass windows, surrounding a work station.
FossiLab
image depicts an open plain with scattered bones and a person in the foreground and a truck in the background
Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems
A T. rex skull
Deep Time

Our Experts

Our staff include experts in a variety of paleobiology subjects including fossil animals, plants, and protists.

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Hans Sues: Chair of Paleobiology, Senior Research Geologist and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
Hans Sues
Kay Behrensmeyer: Senior Research Geologist and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
Kay Behrensmeyer
Matthew Carrano: Research Geologist and Curator of Dinosauria
Matthew Carrano
Bill Dimichele: Research Geologist and Curator of Paleobotany
Bill Dimichele
Doug Erwin
hollis_Kathy_paleobiology
Kathy Hollis
Brian Huber: Research Geologist, Curator of Foraminifera
Brian Huber
Gene Hunt: Research Geologist and Curator of Ostracoda
Gene Hunt
Conrad Labandeira: Senior Research Geologist and Curator of Fossil Arthropods
Conrad Labandeira
Holly Little in front of drawers in the paleobiology collections
Holly Little
Nicholas Pyenson: Research Geologist and Curator of Fossil Marine Mammals
Nicholas Pyenson
Scott Wing: Research Geologist and Curator of Paleobotany
Scott Wing