POSTDOCTORAL NETWORK | Global Change Center
Dr. Foffa’s research focuses on the macroevolution of terrestrial and marine tetrapods during the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic. He is particularly interested in the paleoecology of vertebrate ecosystems through major events (e.g. mass extinctions). Dr. Foffa’s work includes the anatomy, systematics and biomechanics of a variety of terrestrial and marine vertebrates. The primary objective is to explore the changes in taxonomic and ecological composition and diversity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems through time, and in response to environmental changes. His current project at Virginia Tech and the University of Birmingham investigates the impact the Permian-Triassic mass extinction had on land ecosystems and how ecological diversity was re-built in the aftermath.
Dr. Foffa works on a wide range of reptile groups and topics that he investigates using traditional methods, as well as qualitative and qualitative techniques and cutting-edge technologies. He is involved in active collaborations with researchers in the UK, USA, Norway, Germany, Spain and Italy amongst others. He has participated in fieldwork in the UK (Scotland), Canada and, as part of his current project, in the USA.
Dr. Foffa is a research associate/affiliate with the National Museums Scotland (UK) and he is part of the PalAlba group, a consortium dedicated to the research and safeguarding of vertebrate fossils from Scotland.
