Biography: Dr. Andrew Gentry grew up in Decatur, Alabama where, as a child, he developed a keen interest in the fossils that could be found along the creek banks of northern Alabama. That interest would grow into a lifelong fascination with ancient life. In the years that followed, Dr. Gentry was part of paleontological expeditions across North America, but his focus remained on the fossils of Alabama and what they can teach us about the history of his home state. At ASMS, Dr. Gentry has built a student-centered research program focused on the fossil marine vertebrates of Alabama that allows students to make actual scientific discoveries by participating in paleontological fieldwork and laboratory activities. Dr. Gentry’s teaching philosophy is centered around experiential learning where students in the classroom are encouraged to actively participate in the learning process and develop important communication, team building, and leadership skills.

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Professional Areas of Expertise: Paleontology, Evolutionary Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Organismal Biology, Ecology

Special Certifications: Associate level certification in STEM education - Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning; Responsible Conduct of Research certification - Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program