Dr Xiaoya Ma

About me:

My primary research interest is to understand the origin and early evolution of animal life, especially the major branching events during animal evolution. Cambrian fossils provide direct insight into the early radiation of animal life and are crucial for addressing some fundamental questions: When and how did major animal groups evolve? What were the evolutionary sequences of key morphological innovations? How did animals adapt to their ecological and environmental changes? Therefore, I use interdisciplinary approaches to study the morphology, phylogeny, taphonomy and paleoecology of a broad range of Cambrian animals from exceptionally well-preserved fossil assemblages, such as the Chengjiang Biota.

PhD in Palaeontology, University of Leicester, United Kingdom, 2005 - 2009

MSc (Hons) in Zoology, Yunnan University, China, 2003 - 2005

BSc (Hons) in Biology, Yunnan University, China, 1999 - 2003

2020 – Senior lecturer in palaeobiology, University of Exeter, UK

2015 – Full professor in palaeobiology, Yunnan University, China

2018 – 2020 NERC Independent Research Fellow, University of Exeter, UK

2014 – 2018 NERC Independent Research Fellow, Natural History Museum in London, UK

2011 – 2014 Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Natural History Museum in London, UK

2009 – 2012 Honorary Researcher, University of Leicester, UK