Michal Kowalewski, Ph.D.

Curator and Jon L. and Beverly A. Thompson Chair of Invertebrate Paleontology

Florida Museum of Natural History

2024 Awardee

Michal Kowalewski’s research agenda centers on conservation paleobiology, an emerging field that utilizes the most recent fossil record to evaluate the health and stability of modern marine ecosystems. His contributions to the field of evolutionary paleoecology have also established Kowalewski as a leading figure in understanding the long-term dynamics of biodiversity and ecological interactions.

Kowalewski’s research includes several primary areas of study: conservation paleobiology, where he investigates the effects of human activities on ecosystems from a geological and historical perspective; macro-evolutionary patterns with an emphasis on marine ecosystems and long-term ecological trends; and stratigraphic paleobiology, which integrates paleontological and geological data to better interpret sediment deposits and the fossil records they contain.

Kowalewski has successfully secured 10 grants totaling $1.6 million, with a significant portion directed to UF. His team has published 24 papers in high-impact journals in the last five years, including many in the top journals in his field.

“In recent years, our program has established its international leadership role as a conservation paleobiology center. This is not only due to impactful publications on this topic but also our community leadership,” Kowalewski says.

Kowalewski’s commitment to education is evident through his role in supporting the development of graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. His program has nurtured numerous graduate students, who are successfully advancing their careers in academia and beyond.

Kowalewski has also led the establishment of a National Science Foundation-supported Research Coordination Network, which now has more than 800 members in 45 countries. His vision is to maintain and enhance the program’s international stature as a premier center for conservation paleobiology. Kowalewski, who arrived at UF in 2013, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in 1995.

Jonathan I. Bloch, chair of the Department of Natural History, calls Kowalewski an extremely creative and collaborative scholar.

“Dr. Kowalewski’s teaching and mentoring efforts are outstanding. He teaches several popular courses and is really focused on training and mentoring tomorrow’s leaders in paleontological research,” Bloch says. “Michal has an outstanding record of grantsmanship, many high-impact scholarly publications, excellent teaching and mentoring, and dedicated service to the Museum, UF, and professional societies.”