Nationality United States Occupation paleontologist | Name Judith Schiebout | |
Known for Study of prehistoric vertebrates Education University of Texas at Austin |
Dr. Judith Schiebout is an American paleontologist, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Geology at Louisiana State University and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at LSU Museum of Natural Science.
Schiebout earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1968, followed by a Master of Arts in 1970 and a Ph. D. in 1973, all from the University of Texas at Austin.
Schiebout's research focuses on paleoecology and vertebrate paleontology, particularly the biostratigraphy and paleogeography of southern North America in the Cenozoic era. She currently focuses on mammals from the Middle and Late Cenozoic, the transitions occurring across the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary, and the Paleocene and Eocene periods, especially the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum. She began her career working in Big Bend National Park in West Texas. She is currently focusing on Louisiana, especially its Miocene faunas.
In the last 25 years an aspect of Chinese vertebrate paleontology has entered her interests as well when Dr. Suyin Ting came to the United States to study, first under her direction and then alongside Dr. Schiebout.
Her current major interest involves mammals from the Miocene period of Louisiana. In the Middle Miocene of Louisiana, a diverse grouping of animals have been discovered consisting of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine vertebrates. Examples include rhinos, giant camels, whales, and gomphotheres. A late Miocene Site in the Tunica Hills is also under study.