John D. Orcutt, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology

As a paleobiologist, I work in a field that draws on biological and geological evidence to answer questions about the natural world and how it functions. I am especially interested in how mammal evolution has been impacted by environmental change through...

John Orcutt, Ph.D.

Contact Information

Education & Curriculum Vitae

Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, 2011

M.Sc. in Palaeobiology, University of Bristol, 2007

B.A. in Ecology & Evolution, University of Chicago, 2003

Curriculum Vitae

Courses Taught

BIOL 100: Biological Concepts

BIOL 105: Information Flow in Biological System

BIOL 123: Human Ecology

BIOL 205: Physiology & Biodiversity

BIOL 206: Ecology 

BIOL 334: Paleobiology

BIOL 499: Science & Society


As a paleobiologist, I work in a field that draws on biological and geological evidence to answer questions about the natural world and how it functions. I am especially interested in how mammal evolution has been impacted by environmental change through time and how we can use ancient organisms and ecosystems to better understand and predict the effects of modern climate change. The Northwest is a natural paleobiological laboratory, and besides using the region as a backdrop for teaching courses on ecology and evolution, I am working with undergraduate researchers to help understand the biological saga told by local fossils.