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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

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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
Featured Content

Funding Opportunity

We are accepting proposals that support research, collections, or educational projects or programs related to taphonomy, “The study of the transition of organic remains and traces from the biosphere to the lithosphere.” Proposal submission deadline is June 1st, with later applications considered as long as funds are available for that year. Please see attached information regarding the call for proposals.
Image depicts an aisle in the paleobiology collections space with many fossils displayed to show the variety and vastness of the collection.
Collections drawer of fossil invertebrates
Search Our collections Database
Featured Content

Research Highlight

Recent findings, published in the journal Current Biology, examine a rich fossil bed in the renowned Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park (BISP) in Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, where many 50-foot-long ichthyosaurs (Shonisaurus popularis) lay petrified in stone.
large marine reptiles swimming

Research & Programs

image of three paleontologists preparing fossils in a lab
FossiLab
image of river with fossil plant and skeleton
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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Anna K. Behrensmeyer: Senior Research Geologist and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
Anna K. Behrensmeyer
Matthew Carrano: Research Geologist and Curator of Dinosauria
Matthew Carrano
Bill Dimichele: Research Geologist and Curator of Paleobotany
Bill Dimichele
Stewart Edie: Research Geologist, Curator of Fossil Bivalvia
Stewart Edie
Doug Erwin: Senior Research Biologist and Curator of Paleozoic Invertebrates
Doug Erwin
picture of kathy hollis
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
Hans Sues: Senior Research Geologist and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
Hans Sues
Nicholas Pyenson: Research Geologist and Curator of Fossil Marine Mammals
Nicholas Pyenson
Scott Wing: Research Geologist and Curator of Paleobotany
Scott Wing