Curriculum Vitae
TARA M. SMILEY
316 Beakes St, Apt 1
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-358-9793
tmsmiley@umich.edu
EDUCATION
Expected 2015: Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, Paleontology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2007: B.Sc. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with Honors, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
B.Sc. in Earth and Space Sciences with Honors, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Vertebrate paleontology and evolution, paleoecology, biogeography, stable isotope biogeochemistry,
relationship between environment and faunal change across broad temporal and spatial scales
Current Research: Diversity dynamics and paleoecology of Miocene mammals in relation to tectonic and
climate history in western North America
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Badgley, C., T. M. Smiley, J. A. Finarelli. In press. Great Basin mammal diversity in relation to landscape
history. Journal of Mammalogy.
Smiley, T., C. Sidor, A. Maga, and O. Ide. The vertebrate fauna of the Upper Permian of Niger. VI. First
Evidence of a Gorgonopsid Therapsid. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28(2):543–547, 2008.
Prothero, D. R., E. Draus, E. A. Nesbitt, T. M. Smiley, and C. Burns. Paleomagnetism and tectonic rotation of
the Eocene-Oligocene rocks of the Quimper Peninsula, northeastern Olympic Peninsula, Washington,
Newsletters on Stratigraphy, 43(2):127-138, 2009.
PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Smiley, T., C. Badgley, J. Finarelli. 2013. Miocene mammal diversity in relation to tectonic and climatic
history of the Basin and Range Province. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts.
(presentation)
Smiley, T., C. Badgley, A.K. Behrensmeyer. Stable oxygen and carbon isotopes record seasonal variation in
drinking water and diet of modern large herbivores in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Journal of
Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2012. (presentation)
Smiley, T., C. Sidor, J. Steyer, N. Tabor. First Evidence for a therapsid in the Upper Permian Moradi
Formation of Niger. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27(3:Supplement), 2007. (poster)
Smiley, T. Climate Change and Seasonality: Using Nicrophorus to make predictions for global extinction
patterns. UW Undergraduate Research Symposium Proceedings: 162, 2007. (presentation)
Smiley, T. Changes in Marine Molluscan Fauna from the Olympic Peninsula at the Eocene-Oligocene
Boundary. UW Undergraduate Research Symposium Proceedings: 66, 2006. (poster)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
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2010-present: PhD Research,
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Advisor: Dr. Catherine Badgley, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Fossil description, stable isotope ecology, geometric morphometrics, quantitative methods in
diversity dynamics, depositional environments and paleoclimate reconstruction
Summer, 2012: Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry and Ecology lecture and lab course, SIRFER, University
of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Principles and application of stable isotopes to environmental and ecological studies
2007-2008: Research Assistant, Isotope Geochemistry Lab, Advisor: Dr. Bruce Nelson, University of
Washington, Seattle, WA
Preparation of rock and mineral samples for isotopic analysis; ion exchange column chemistry
(Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn); multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
2005-2007: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Vertebrate Paleontology Lab, Advisor: Dr. Christian
Sidor, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Vertebrate fossil preparation, description and identification of Paleozoic tetrapod specimens,
including the first therapsid found from the Permian of Niger, and of Cenozoic marine mammal
specimens from the Washington State; molding and casting
2006-2007: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Ecology Lab, Advisor: Dr. Joshua Tewksbury, University
of Washington, Seattle, WA
Survey of beetle communities of WA Cascade Mountains; collection and identification of
specimens for manipulative temperature experiments; construction of a temperature controlled
testing chamber
2004-2005: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Invertebrate Paleontology Lab, Advisor: Dr. Liz Nesbitt,
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Invertebrate molluscan fossil description and identification in relation to geologic stratigraphy in
Washington State and to global climate cooling event across the Eocene-Oligocene boundary
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
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2012: Graduate Student
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Instructor, Dept of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Michigan,
EARTH 313: Geobiology
2011 and 2012: Graduate Student Instructor, Dept of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Michigan,
EARTH 116: Introduction to Geological Sciences Field Course
2010 and 2013: Graduate Student Instructor, Dept of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Michigan,
ENV 110: Introduction to Global Change
2007: Teaching Assistant, Dept of Earth & Space Sciences, University of Washington,
ESS 101: Introduction to Geological Sciences Laboratory
2007: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Dept of Earth & Space Sciences, University of
Washington, ESS 213: Evolution of Earth
2006: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Dept of Earth & Space Sciences, University of
Washington, ESS 313: Geobiology
FIELD EXPERIENCE
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May, 2012 & 2013:
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PhD field research, Mojave Desert, southern California
Macro- and micro-fossil prospecting and collection, measuring stratigraphic section, paleosol survey and
depositional environment analysis
August, 2011: PhD field research, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Surveying and collection of taphonomic samples, grass and water samples
Nov-Dec, 2006: Field Assistant, Niger, West Africa, PI C. Sidor, NSF Grant EAR 0617718
Collection, surveying and field preparation of Late Permian vertebrate, trace and plant fossils
Summer, 2006: Field Internship, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Dayville, OR
Collection, surveying and field preparation of Cenozoic vertebrate and plant fossils; measuring
stratigraphic section
Summer, 2005: University of Washington Geology mapping field course, Dillon, MT
Geologic rock sampling and identification; field mapping; measuring stratigraphic section
HONORS AND AWARDS
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2011-2014: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
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2014: ITCE Research-in-Residence Grant, $6,000
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2013: SVP Patterson Student Fieldwork Grant, $2,000
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2013: UM Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Turner Grant,
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2013: UM Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant, $3,000
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2012: UM Department of Geological Sciences Turner Grant, $1,400
$2,200
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2011: UM Rackham Spring/Summer Research Grant, $6,000
2011: UM Department of Geological Sciences Turner Grant, $2,400
2007: Seattle Mineral and Lapidary Research Scholarship, $3,000
2006 and 2007: UW Earth and Space Sciences Undergraduate Service Award
2005-2007: Mary Gates Undergraduate Research Grants, UW, $8,000
2002-2004: Mary Gates Undergraduate Honors Grant, UW, $10,500
ACTIVITIES
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2011-current:
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Mentor, Undergraduate Research
Mentor to six University of Michigan undergraduates through the Undergraduate Research
Opportunity Program and other research experience opportunities. Of these students, three are
females and five are already participating in or have expressed strong interest in applying to
graduate school in science fields. Students gained research experience in laboratory methods and
fieldwork in the Mojave Desert.
2011-current: Public outreach, University of Michigan Natural History Museum, FEMMES
Volunteer for the University of Michigan’s Natural History Museum outreach and education
events, including tours in the Museum of Paleontology and museum identification days.
Volunteer for the FEMMES (Females Excelling More in Math, Engineering and Science)
organization, involving 4th-6th grade girls in activities related to STEM fields during annual
events hosted at the University of Michigan.
2011 and 2013: Mentor, EDQUE2ST: Enhancing diversity, equality, and understanding of the
ecological/evolutionary sciences for tomorrow
Mentor to two undergraduate students from underrepresented minorities in the sciences in the
fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. EDQUE2ST is an REU program organized and run
through the University of Michigan that hosts both national and international students, and
provides an intensive research experience over a two-month period. Trained students in
laboratory methods and helped them to develop their own research questions, interpret their
results, and present their research to a broader scientific audience.
2007-current: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Member
2006-2007: President, Earth and Space Sciences Geology Club, University of Washington
2005-2006: Treasurer, Earth and Space Sciences Geology Club, University of Washington
2005-2007: UW Biology Tri-Beta Club Member and Undergraduate Advisor
SERVICE
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April,
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2009-May, 2010: US Peace Corps Volunteer, Environmental Sector, Endagaw, Tanzania
Community level development work helping small organizations implement more environmentally
sustainable practices, for example, agroforestry and permaculture, tree planting, construction and use of
fuel efficient cookstoves, and income generating chicken projects
February, 2008-March 2009: US Peace Corps Volunteer, Environment Sector, Katsepy, Madagascar
Community level development work including introduction of improved rice-farming techniques,
promotion of solar cooking and drying techniques, and environmental education at the middle school
level teaching ecology and tree nursery management
LANGUAGE
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Kiswahili (speaking,
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Malagasy (speaking,
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Latin (reading)
reading, writing)
reading, writing)