Dr. David Campbell

Professor of Paleontology,
Chair, Department of Natural Sciences

Education

  •  Post-doctoral Research Associate, University of Alabama
  • Ph.D. Geology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: “Radiation and Convergence in the Bivalvia: Molecular Evidence on Traditional Classification” 
  • M.S. Geology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: “Gastropods from the Eocene Limestones of the Carolinas”
  • B.S. Biology, Davidson College: “Eocene Faunas from South Carolina: Support for Cook Mountain Equivalency”

Areas of Interest

  • Conservation
  • Molecular Systematics
  • Mollusk Paleontology
  • Science and Faith

Classes Taught

  • BIOL111 General Biology
  • BIOL201 Invertebrate Zoology
  • BIOL291 Professional Readiness
  • BIOL315 General and Comparative Animal Physiology
  • BIOL391 Biology Seminar
  • CHEM291 Professional Readiness
  • GEOL101 Physical Geology
  • GEOL102 Historical Geology
  • GEOL105 Oceanography and Meteorology
  • GEOL106 Environmental Geology

Selected publications

Hiding in plain sight: genetic confirmation of putative Louisiana fatmucket Lampsilis hydiana (Mollusca: Unionidae) in Illinois. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 24:59–86.

God, Occam, and Science. God & Nature, Fall 2012.

New Molluscan Faunas from the Eocene of South Carolina. Tulane Studies in Geology and Paleontology 27(1-4):119-151.

A Synoptical Classification of the Bivalvia (Mollusca). Kansas University Paleontological Contributions no. 4:ii+47.

Current research

Molecular systematics of the Bivalvia: I am working on a review of DNA-based analyses of bivalve classification. 

Waccamaw Formation biodiversity and biogeography: Working with colleagues, we have found over 800 species of fossil mollusks from one small quarry in southeastern North Carolina.  About 650 species had previously been reported from anywhere within the Waccamaw Formation.  We are photographing all of the species and comparing them to modern species and other fossils. 

Cleveland County biodiversity: Working with students to document the local faunas.