Judith A. Sclafani, Ph.D.
Quantitative Paleoecology, Stratigraphic Paleobiology
Education
Ph.D., Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University - 2019
Dissertation: Morphological diversity and disparity of Strophomenida (Brachiopoda) during the Late Ordovician mass extinction and recovery
Advisor: Mark E. Patzkowsky
M.S., Geology, University of Georgia - 2013
Thesis: Using Hubbell’s neutral theory to test the species-area relationship in the Late Ordovician of Laurentia
Advisor: Steven M. Holland
B.S., Cum Laude, Primary major: Geology with honors, Second major: Environmental Science, The College of William and Mary - 2011
Honors thesis: A morphological and phylogenetic examination of the Miocene and Pliocene bivalve genus Chesapecten
Advisor: Rowan Lockwood
Employment
Postdoctoral Fellow
National Science Foundation Division of Earth Sciences, Hosted in Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Davis, Advisor: Sandra Carlson (Sept 2021 - present)
Research Associate
Historical Geobiology Lab, Department of Geological Sciences, Stanford University (Sept 2020 - Sept 2021)
Online Instructor
Department of Environmental Studies, University of Illinois Springfield (Aug 2020 - May 2021)
Courses (taught remotely): Introduction to Earth Science, Paleoecology, Environmental Geology
Data Science Fellow
Environmental Data Initiative (Summer 2020)
Visiting Instructor
Geology Department, Pomona College (2019-2020)
Courses: Sedimentology w/Lab, Mass Extinctions Seminar, Earth History w/Lab, Introductory Geology (w/focus on the ocean-climate system)
Teaching Assistant
Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University (2015-2019)
Courses: The Sea Around Us (intro to oceanography), Dinosaur Extinctions, Geobiology Lab (included 5 day field trip to Denver, Colorado), Earth History Lab, Field Stratigraphy (field course), Advanced Stratigraphy (field course)
General education course recertification assistant
Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University (Summer 2018)
Online Instructor
Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University (Summer 2017)
Courses: Geology of the National Parks
Research assistant
For Mark Patzkowsky, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University (2013 - 2015)
Research assistant
For Steven Holland, Geology Department, University of Georgia (2012 - 2013)
Teaching Assistant
Geology Department, The University of Georgia (2011-2012)
Courses: The History of Global Change Laboratory
Fossil preparation and collections assistant
Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, Virginia Museum of Natural History (summer 2010)
Publications (*indicates undergraduate student collaborator)
Articles
Sclafani, J.A., M. Christie, B. Roselle*, A. Bourne*, M. Cone*, C. Gazze*, M. O’Brien*. in prep. Morphology in time and space: a method for adding morphometrics to the stratigraphic paleobiology toolkit. Paleontological Electronica.
Zaffos, A., B.D. Barnes, J.A. Sclafani, and S.E. Peters. in prep. Geographic diffusion of evolutionary cohorts explains the prevalence of rare taxa in the fossil record. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
Sperling, E.A., T.H. Boag, M.I. Duncan, C.R. Endriga, J.A. Marquez, D.B. Mills, P.M. Monarrez, J.A. Sclafani, R.G. Stockey, J.L. Payne. 2022. Breathless through time: oxygen and animals across Earth's history. The Biological Bulletin, 243(2).
Monarrez, P.M., J.B. Zimmt, A.M. Clement, W. Gearty, J.J. Jacisin, K.M. Jenkins, K.M. Kusnerik, A.W. Poust, S.V. Robson, J.A. Sclafani, K.T. Stilson, S.D. Tennakoon, C.M. Thompson. 2022. Our past creates our present: a brief overview of racism and colonialism in Western paleontology. Paleobiology, doi:10.1017/pab.2021.28
Farrel, U.C., and 102 authors including J.A. Sclafani. 2021. The sedimentary geochemistry and paleoenvironments project. Geobiology.
Barnes, B.D, J.A. Sclafani, and A. Zaffos. 2021. Dead clades walking are a pervasive macroevolutionary pattern. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(15) doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2019208118
Sclafani, J.A., C.R. Congreve, and M.E. Patzkowsky. 2021. Does evolutionary relatedness predict ecological similarity? Paleobiology, 47(2):284-300.
Sclafani, J.A., C.R. Congreve, A.Z. Krug, M.E. Patzkowsky, 2018, Effects of mass extinction and recovery dynamics on long-term evolutionary trends: A morphological study of Strophomenida (Brachiopoda) across the Late Ordovician mass extinction. Paleobiology. 44(4):603-619.
Holland, S.M. and J.A. Sclafani, 2015, Phanerozoic diversity and neutral theory. Paleobiology, 41(3): 369-376.
Sclafani, J.A. and S.M. Holland, 2013, Using Hubbell’s neutral theory to test the species-area relationship in the Late Ordovician of Laurentia. Diversity, 5: 240-262.
Abstracts
Williams, C.M.*, M. Christie, and J.A. Sclafani. 2021. Morphological changes in Cyclocardia granulata following Plio-Pleistocene extinction in Virginia and North Carolina, Western Atlantic. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 53(6).
Sclafani, J.A., C.R. Congreve, and M.E. Patzkowsky. 2020. Biogeographic variation in morphological disparity of Strophomenida (Brachiopoda) Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 52(6). (invited keynote)
Sclafani, J.A., C.R. Congreve, and M.E. Patzkowsky. 2020. Do phylogenetic relationships predict ecological similarity? Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 52(6).
Sclafani, J.A., M. Christie, M. Cone*, B. Roselle*, A. Bourne*, C. Gazze*, M. O’Brien.* 2020. Morphology in time and space: how does shape change with sequence stratigraphic architecture? EGU 2020. doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-832. (invited keynote)
Del Vecchio, J., C.L Stanton, T.M. Ferland, G. Rossetto-Harris, J.C. Carr, P. Silverhart, A. Karp, B.D. Barnes, E. Stiles, B.A. Eberle, J.A. Sclafani, E.A. Hajek. 2019. Student-led organizations as a mechanism for improving department culture. ED33G-1056, AGU Fall Meeting.
Barnes, B.D., J.A. Sclafani, and A. Zaffos. 2019. Zombies of the Phanerozoic: how prevalent are dead clades walking? Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 51(5).
Cone, M.*, M. O’Brien*, M. Christie, J.A. Sclafani, A. Bourne*, C. Gazze*, B. Roselle.* 2019. Brachiopod shape changes across the Late Ordovician Richmondian invasion: using 3D morphometrics to analyze morphological changes through space and time. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 51(5).
Congreve, C.R., J.A. Sclafani, and M.E. Patzkowksy. 2019. Assessing the fit of environmental affinities to phylogenetic trees in strophomenoid brachiopods across the Ordovician mass extinction. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 51(5).
Williams, C.M.*, M. Christie, and J.A. Sclafani. 2019. Morphological changes in Cyclocardia granulata following Plio-Pleistocene extinction in Virginia and North Carolina, Western Atlantic. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 51(5).
J.A. Sclafani, Christie, M., A. Bourne*, M. Cone*, C. Gazze*, M. O'Brien*, B. Roselle*, 2019, Morphology in time and space: how does shape change with stratigraphic architecture? North American Paleontological Convention.
Sclafani, J.A., C.R. Congreve, M. Christie, A. Bourne*, C. Gazze*, B. Roselle*, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2018, Using phylogenetic trees and 3D morphometrics to understand ecological change during the Late Ordovician mass extinction and recovery. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 50(6).
Christie, M., J.A. Sclafani, A. Bourne*, M. Cone*, C. Gazze*, M. O'Brien*, B. Roselle*, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2018, Three-dimensional changes in morphological diversity of brachiopods across the Richmondian Invasion, Late Ordovician. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 50(6).
Gazze, C*., A. Bourne*, B. Roselle*, M. Christie, J.A. Sclafani, and M.E. Patzkowksy, 2018, Leptaena (Brachiopoda) morphology across the Late Ordovician mass extinction. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 50(6).
Roselle, B.*, C. Gazze*, A. Bourne*, M. Christie, J.A. Sclafani, and M.E. Patzkowksy, 2018, Quantifying morphological changes among Rafinesquina (Brachiopoda) with 3D Photogrammetry. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 50(6).
Sclafani, J., A. Bourne*, C. Gazze*, B. Roselle*, M. Christie, C. Congreve, and M. Patzkowsky, 2018, Quantifying morphological change across a mass extinction: a test of a 3D photogrammetry method using strophomenide brachiopods. Abstract Book from the 5th International Palaeontological Congress, Paris, 9-13 July 2018.
Sclafani, J.A., B. Roselle*, and M. Christie, 2017, Structure from motion as a tool for 3D morphometrics: a new paleobiological application for a young geological method. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 49(6).
Sclafani, J.A., C.R. Congreve, A.Z. Krug, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2016, How similar are sisters? The relationship between morphology, ecology, and evolutionary history. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 48(7).
Brown, G.M., J.A. Sclafani, E. Hajek, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2016, Biofacies interpretation of a shelf margin succession: San Andres Formation (Guadalupian, Permian), Last Chance Canyon, New Mexico. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 48(7).
Sclafani, J.A., C.R. Congreve, A.Z. Krug, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2015, Dynamics of extinction and recovery: a study of morphospace shifts during and after the Late Ordovician mass extinction. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 47(7).
Patzkowsky, M.E., C.R. Congreve, A.Z. Krug, and J.A. Sclafani, 2015, Onshore-offshore patterns of Ordovician diversification in the brachiopod order Strophomenida: a phylogenetic perspective. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 47(7).
Brown, G.M., J.A. Sclafani, S. Trampush, E. Hajek, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2015, Distribution and abundance of benthic marine taxa in shelf margin depositional sequences: San Andres Formation (Guadalupian, Permian), Last Chance Canyon, New Mexico. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 47(7).
Jarochowska, E., A.L. Keller, J. Kimmig, E. Larina, R.J. Lavine, K.M. Loughney, E.A. Orzechowski, N.D. Pierrehumbert, A. Rojas, J.A. Sclafani, A. Singer, J.A. Yager, M. Christie, S.K. McMullen, S.M. Holland, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2014, Sequence stratigraphic control over biofacies distribution and ecological gradients in the Mississippian Lodgepole Formation, Montana. The Palaeontological Association Abstracts and Programme.
Sclafani, J.A., A.Z. Krug, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2014, Biogeographic patterns of brachiopod families as an explanation for phylogenetic clumping following the Late Ordovician mass extinction. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 46(6): 756.
Lavine, R.J., E.A. Orzechowski, N.D. Pierrehumbert, A. Rojas, J.A. Sclafani, J.A. Yager, M. Christie, S.K. McMullen, S.M. Holland, and M.E. Patzkowsky, 2014, Ecological gradient structure in the Mississippian Lodgepole Formation, southwest Montana. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 46(6): 136.
Sclafani, J.A., A.L. Platsky, C. Jenkins, and S.M. Holland, 2013, Applying neutral theory to the fossil record: guidelines for estimating Hubbell’s theta. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 45(7): 395.
Holland, S.M. and J.A. Sclafani, 2013, Phanerozoic increase in Hubbell’s theta: linking diversity from the alpha level to the provincial level. Geologic Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 45(7): 93
Sclafani, J.A. and S.M. Holland, 2012, Using Hubbell’s neutral theory to test the species-area relationship in the Late Ordovician of Laurentia. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 44(7): 400.
Platsky, A.L., J.A. Sclafani, and S.T. Goldstein, 2012, The effect of increased salinity on foraminiferal assemblages in Georgia salt marshes. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 44(4): 18.
Sclafani, J.A., R. Lockwood, and L.W. Ward, 2011, A morphological and phylogenetic examination of the Miocene and Pliocene bivalve genus Chesapecten. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 43(2): 88.
Service and Outreach
Department of Geosciences, Penn State
Grad student representative at faculty meetings (2018-2019)
Outreach and education volunteer, Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum (2016-2019)
Ran activities for 'girls in science' events associated with the Bearded Lady Exhibit, served as a docent for elementary school groups, assisted with museum-sponsored science discovery booths at events such as Earth Day and the Special Olympics
Student Ombudsperson Network Committee
Explored the feasibility of establishing a peer support and mediation network for graduate students
Exhibit design committee, Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum (2015-2016)
Designed and built an exhibit on ocean acidification
End of year celebration planning committee (2014-2018)
Prospective graduate student welcoming committee (2014)
Association for Women Geoscientists
Alternate delegate, Northeastern Region (2017-2020)
Penn State Student Chapter
Mentor to undergraduate women (2016-2019)
Fundraising committee for field camp scholarship to support undergraduates from underrepresented groups (2015-2018)
Planned annual chili cook-off fundraiser; wrote proposals for matching funds from faculty, alums, and the AWG Foundation; helped to develop a long-term fundraising plan that increased total scholarship fund from $500 to about $4000
Webmaster, Penn State student chapter (2017-2018)
Co-president, Penn State student chapter (2016-2017)
We Are For Science (Campus-wide science advocacy, outreach, and diversity organization)
Development and fundraising committee (2017-2019)
Co-wrote a plan for long-term university support via a graduate assistantship, met regularly with administrators to establish this program
Outreach and communication subcommittee (2016-2018)
Organized and participated in outreach events focused on improving science literacy among the public
Webmaster and social media coordinator (2016-2018)
Designed website, set up and maintained social media accounts
Founding member (2016)
Field experience
Doctoral research
Developed and implemented a 3D photogrammetry method for collecting morphological data from outcrops within a sequence stratigraphic framework, co-led a team of 5 undergraduate research student assistants
Location: Cincinnati Arch road cuts in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana
Duration: 1 week during summer 2018
Field assistant and mentor to M.S. students
Provided academic and safety guidance to Garett Brown as he developed and implemented a protocol to collect fossil count data, sedimentological observations, and stratigraphic measurements for his M.S. research
Location: Last Chance Canyon, Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico
Duration: 2 weeks during summers 2015 and 2016
Provided academic and safety guidance to Chelsea Jenkins as she collected fossil slabs for her M.S. research
Location: road cuts in Southeastern Tennessee and Central Pennsylvania
Duration: 1.5 weeks during summer 2013
Tidal pool survey and snorkel dive buddy
Conducted an independent research project on distribution of snails in tide pools, provided snorkel-based safety support to classmates conducting research with SCUBA
Location: San Salvador Island, The Bahamas
Duration: Five weeks during summer 2015 as a part of the Taphonomic and Ecological Processes in Tropical Environments research-based field course
Masters research
Collected rock slabs for whole-community fossil counts
Locations: road cuts in Virginia, Minnesota, and Manitoba, Canada
Durations: 3 weeks during summer 2012
Fossil survey
Provided assistance with a vertebrate bone mapping project to Sharon McMullen and the Bureau of Land Management
Location: Colorado Uncompahgre Field Office, Gunnison Gorge, Colorado
Duration: 1 week during summer 2012
Honors research
Collected Chesapecten (scallop) fossils for morphological analysis
Location: Cobham Wharf, Surry County, Virginia
Duration: 2 days during summer 2010
Vertebrate fossil excavation
Excavated 3 plaster jackets worth of fossil whale material and several tens of pounds of associated teeth from other vertebrates
Location: Carmel Church Quarry, Carmel Church, Virginia
Duration: 2 weeks during summer 2010 as part of a specimen collection trip led by Alton Dooley, Virginia Museum of Natural History
Grants awarded
Postdoctoral Fellowship
NSF Division of Earth Sciences (2021-2023)
Early Career Scientist Travel Award
European Geosciences Union (2020)
Paul D. Krynine Travel Scholarship
Department of Geosciences, Penn State (2014-2019)
Scholten-Williams-Wright Scholarship
Department of Geosciences, Penn State (2018)
Student research grant
Geological Society of America (2018, 2012)
Graduate Student Travel Grant for International Conferences
Penn State Global Programs (2018)
Student Conference Travel Fund
Geological Society of America (2012-2018)
Schuchert and Dunbar grants-in-aid of collections research
Yale Peabody Museum (2017)
Grants-in-Aid of Research
Sigma Xi (2015, 2012)
Miriam Watts-Wheeler Fund student research and travel grant
Department of Geology, University of Georgia (2012)
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund Grant
American Museum of Natural History (2012)
Kenneth E. and Annie Caster Award
Paleontological Society (2012)
Computer skills
R, Agiosoft Metashape, Cloud Compare, Adobe Creative Cloud, Matlab, Python, ArcGIS, Unix
Professional society memberships
Geological Society of America, Paleontological Society, Association for Women Geoscientists
Other honors and awards
Future Leader in Paleontology, Paleontological Society (2020)
Second place talk by a pre-comps Ph.D. student
Graduate Student Colloquium
Department of Geosciences, Penn State University (2016)
Graduate student of the year
Department of Geology, UGA (2013)
Sigma Xi inductee (2012)
Sigma Gamma Epsilon Earth Sciences Honor Society Inductee (2010)
Sharpe community scholar
College of William and Mary (2007)
Professional development
Implicit bias and bystander intervention workshop
AWG sponsored short course (GSA meeting 2018)
Using the Paleobiology Database, Macrostrat, and RockD in the classroom, invited participant
Paleontological Society workshop (March 2018)
Beta testing hack-a-thon, invited participant
ePandda (October 2017)
Best practices in Science Outreach and Communication
Graduate seminar, Penn State College of Science (Fall 2017)
Clastic sequence stratigraphy in the Book Cliffs
Penn State University (Summer 2015)
Paleobiological and phylogenetic approaches to macroevolution
National Evolutionary Synthesis Center Academy (Summer 2014)
Stratigraphic paleobiology, Tobacco Root Mountains, Montana,
Paleontological Society sponsored field course (Summer 2014)
Field Stratigraphy: Guadalupe Mountains, Texas
Penn State University (May 2014)
Regional field geology of Big Bend, Texas
College of William and Mary (May 2011)
Regional field geology of San Salvador, Bahamas
College of William and Mary (Spring 2010)
People, politics, and the environment, Semester abroad
Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (Fall 2009)