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Neil Kelley

Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University


Dr. Kelley’s research focuses on the evolution and ecology of marine vertebrates, particularly extinct marine reptile groups that were dominant ocean predators during the Mesozoic. He uses novel technologies including photogrammetry and microCT to better understand the anatomy of extinct organisms as well as the geological and paleoenvironmental context of their fossil remains. At VU, Dr. Kelley teaches Oceanography, introductory geology, and mentors senior honors students in research projects. He is one of the primary instructors for the introductory Dynamic Earth course at TSU and co-teaches the Maymester field course: Geology, Hydrology and Natural Resources of Tennessee.