Mathew Wedel, PhD

2007 Ph.D., Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA
Advisors: Kevin Padian and Bill Clemens. Title: Postcranial pneumaticity in dinosaurs and the origin of the avian lung

2001 M.S., Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Advisor: Richard L. Cifelli.Title: The evolution of vertebral pneumaticity in the Sauropoda

1997 B.S., cum laude, Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Advisor: Richard L. Cifelli. Title: A new sauropod from the Early Cretaceous of Oklahoma

Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Western Univ. of Health Sciences, 2014-present

• Gross Anatomy Lecture and Lab - ongoing
• Podiatric Medical Principles and Practices - ongoing (intro anatomy lectures)

Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Western Univ. of Health Sciences, 2008-2014

• Gross Anatomy Lecture and Lab - 11 terms (5 summer, 6 fall)
• Podiatric Medical Principles and Practices - 3 terms (intro anatomy lectures)
• Research Capstone Course for MS program - 2 terms

Instructor, School of Natural Science and Writing Program, UC Merced, 2007-2008

• Introduction to Ecology 1 semester
• Human Anatomy Laboratory 1 semester
• Contemporary Biology 1 semester
• Core 1, The World at Home 1 semester

Graduate Student Instructor, Department of Integrative Biology,UC Berkeley,2002-2007

• Biology and anatomy labs 10 semesters

National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellow, UC Berkeley, 2004-2005

• Exploring California Biodiversity 2 semesters

Instructor, Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, 2001

• Introduction to Zoology 1 semester

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Zoology,University of Oklahoma,1998-2001

• Zoology and anatomy labs 7 semesters

• Intensive Summer Anatomy Course, lecture and lab (team taught)
• Medical Gross Anatomy, lecture and lab (team taught)
• Podiatric Medical Principles and Practices, intro anatomy lectures

I am a vertebrate paleontologist, and my main areas of interest are sauropod dinosaurs and the evolution of pneumatic (air-filled) bones in dinosaurs and birds. I study the evolutionary origin of pneumatic bones in archosaurs, the respiratory systems of sauropods and other dinosaurs, and the evolution of large size and long necks in sauropods.

• 2018, Canyonlands Natural History Association, New diverse Late Jurassic biota from Utah, $3880
• 2006, UC Dept. of Integrative Biology,Pneumatic hiatuses in dinosaurs, $4730
• 2005, UC Dept. of Integrative Biology, Micro CT of pneumatic bones in birds, $3760
• Jurassic Foundation, Postcranial pneumaticity in sauropods, $1500
• Sigma Xi GIAR, Pneumatization in birds: micro CT, $780
• 2004, UC Dept. of Integrative Biology, Development of pneumaticity in birds, $2825
• UCMP Samuel Welles Fund, Origin and evolution of pneumaticity, $1000
• UC Museum of Paleontology, The canalis supramedullaris of sauropods, $299
• 2003, UC Dept. of Integrative Biology, Development of pneumaticity in birds, $4700
• UC Dept. of Integrative Biology, Evolution of pneumaticity in dinosaurs, $200
• 2000, OU Graduate College, Evolution of pneumaticity in sauropods, $300
• OU Graduate Student Senate, Evolution of pneumaticity in sauropods, $100
• 1997, OU Honors Council, A new sauropod dinosaur from Oklahoma, $200
• OU Honors Council, A new sauropod from the Antlers Fm., $200

• 2018 - Science Guest of Honor, Norwescon 14, Seattle, WA
• 2010 – Honorable Mention, Most-Cited Paper in 2010, Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
• 2009 – Wedel (2009a) is one of the Top 20 Most Downloaded Papers in the Journal of Experimental Zoology
• 2009 – Top Reviewer, Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B
• 2006 – Fourth International Award in Palaeontology Research, Fundación Conjunto Paleontológico de Teruel – Dinópolis, Spain
• 2005 – George D. Louderback Award, UC Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley
• 2004 – Teaching Effectiveness Award, University of California, Berkeley
• 2004 – Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor, UC Berkeley Dept. of Integrative Biology
• 2004 – First Place, University of Oklahoma Graduate College Student Poster Session

President, Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers

BOOKS

Davis, B.M., Haiar, B.K., and Wedel, M.J. (editors) 2022. Boots and burlap: papers in honor of Richard L. Cifelli. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 67(1), 282 pp.

Wedel, V., Hermsen, K., and Wedel, M.J. 2022. Tooth cementum annulations method for determining age at death using modern deciduous human teeth: challenges and lessons learned. pp. 215-225 in Naji, S., Rendu, W., and Gourichon, L. (eds.), Dental Cementum in Anthropology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. doi:10.1017/9781108569507.014

Hallet, M., and Wedel, M.J. 2016. The Sauropod Dinosaurs: Life in the Age of Giants. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 320+xv pp.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Taylor, Michael P., and Wedel, Mathew J. 2023. Novel pneumatic features in the ribs of the sauropod dinosaur Brachiosaurus altithorax. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 68(4): 709–718.

Matz, D., Jones, T.B., Azari, H., Legleiter, K., Belovich, S., Kirchgessner, A., Grumet, M., Washburn, A., and Wedel, M. 2023. General anatomy learning objectives, pp. 39-47 in Curricular Guide for Podiatric Medical Education. American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, Rockville, MD. 246 pp.

Aureliano, T., Ghilardi, A.M., Müller, R.T., Kerber L., Fernandes, M.A., Ricardi-Branco, F., and Wedel, M.J. 2023. The origin of an invasive air sac system in sauropodomorph dinosaurs. The Anatomical Record, 1-9.

Curtice, B., Wedel, M.J., Wilhite, D.R., and Boisvert, C. 2023. New material of Haplocanthosaurus (Hatcher 1903) from the Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry and a comment on sauropod diversity. In Hunt-Foster, R.K., Kirkland, J.I., and Loewen, M.A. (eds), 14th Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota. The Anatomical Record 306(S1):79-81.

Wedel, M.J., and Atterholt, J. 2023. Expanded neurocentral joints in the vertebrae of sauropod dinosaurs. In Hunt-Foster, R.K., Kirkland, J.I., and Loewen, M.A. (eds), 14th Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota. The Anatomical Record 306(S1):256-257.

Weil, A., Hall, L., and Wedel, M.J. 2023. Microvertebrate expansion of known fauna of the Morrison Formation of Oklahoma will enable more meaningful comparisons with other regions. In Hunt-Foster, R.K., Kirkland, J.I., and Loewen, M.A. (eds), 14th Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota. The Anatomical Record 306(S1): 257-258.

Lei, R., Tschopp, E., Hendrickx, C., Wedel, M., Norell, M., Hone, D.W. 2023. Bite and tooth marks on sauropod dinosaurs from the Morrison Formation. PeerJ 11:e16327

Wedel, M.J., and Taylor, M.P. 2023. The biomechanical significance of bifurcated cervical ribs in apatosaurine sauropods. Vertebrate Anatomy Morphology Palaeontology 11:91-100.

Atterholt, J., and Wedel, M.J. 2022. A computed tomography-based survey of paramedullary diverticula in extant Aves. The Anatomical Record 306(1):29-50.https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24923

Smith, D.H., Rodgers, J.M., Dollé, J.-P., and Wedel, M.J. 2022. Giraffes vs. blue whales vs. dinosaurs: contest reveals which one builds its nervous system fastest to evade predators. Scientific American.

Taylor, M.P., and Wedel, M.J. 2022. What do we mean by the directions “cranial” and “caudal” on a vertebra? Journal of Paleontological Techniques 25: 1-24.

Aureliano, T., Ghilardi, A.M., Müller, R.T., Kerber, L., Pretto, F.A., Fernandes, M.A., Ricardi-Branco, F., and Wedel, M.J. 2022. The absence of an invasive air sac system in the earliest dinosaurs suggests multiple origins of vertebral pneumaticity. Scientific Reports. 12:20844.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25067-8December.

Woodruff, D. Cary, Wolff, Ewan D.S., Wedel, Mathew J., Dennison, Sophie, and Witmer, Lawrence M. 2022. The first occurrence of an avian-style respiratory infection in a non-avian dinosaur. Scientific Reports 12, 1954.

Aureliano, T., Ghilardi, A.M., Navarro, B.A., Fernandes, M.A., Ricardi-Branco, F., and Wedel, M.J. 2021. Exquisite air sacs histological traces in a hyperpneumatized nanoid sauropod dinosaur from South America. Scientific Reports 11: 24207. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-03689-8

Wedel, M.J., Atterholt, J., Dooley, A.C., Jr., Farooq, S., Macalino, J., Nalley, T.K., Wisser, G., and Yasmer, J. 2021. Expanded neural canals in the caudal vertebrae of a specimen of Haplocanthosaurus. Academia Letters, Article 911, 10pp.

Taylor, M.P., and Wedel, M.J. 2021. Why is vertebral pneumaticity in sauropod dinosaurs so variable? Qeios. doi:10.32388/1G6J3Q.5.

For a complete list of publications

RECENT ABSTRACTS

Díez Díaz, V., Schwarz, D., Sellers, W.I., van Bijlert, P.A., and Wedel, M. 2023. Analysing the intervertebral articulation and center of rotation using digital methods: the caudal series of Giraffatitan brancai (Sauropoda, Dinosauria) as a case study. 13th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Proceedings.

Navasardyan, I., Delaney, K., and Wedel, M.J. 2023. Cadaveric exploration of lung anatomy variations and clinical relevance. 1st Annual Research Symposium, Western University of Health Sciences, Abstract Book, p. 9.

Kay, K., Scott, J., and Wedel, M. 2022. Variations in the peroneus tertius muscle: evolutionary and clinical perspectives. Western Medical Research Conference, Program.

Kay, K., Scott, J., and Wedel, M. 2022. Palpation systematically underestimates the prevalence of the peroneus tertius muscle. Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, 61st Annual Convention, Program.

Kay, K., and Wedel, M.J. 2022. Migrating muscles: will the real extensor digitorum brevis to digit V please stand up? Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Research Day 2022, Proceedings, p. 31.

Kay, K., Estes, A., and Wedel, M. 2021. Peroneus tertius: a review of its evolution, variability, and clinical significance. American Podiatric Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting, Program.

Ramnani, A., Landeros, J.T., Moellmer, R., Wan, S., and Wedel, M. 2021. Supernumerary muscles in the leg and foot: a review of their types, frequency, and clinical implications. American Podiatric Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting, Program.

Foster, J., Wedel, M.J., Engh, B., Hunt-Foster, R.K., Haridy, Y., and Kirkland, J.I. 2021. Geologically oldest specimen of Brachiosaurus (Sauropoda) from the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation, southern Utah. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Annual Meeting Conference Program, p. 113

Kay, K., Dooley, A., and Wedel, M. 2021. Unusual surface texture in presacral vertebrae of the Pacific mastodon (Mammut pacificus): a case report. 3rd Palaeontological Virtual Congress.

Wedel, M.J., and Taylor, M.P. 2021. Blood vessels provided the template for vertebral pneumatization in sauropod dinosaurs. 3rd Palaeontological Virtual Congress.

RECENT INVITED TALKS AND SYMPOSIA

Wedel, M.J. March 25, 2022. Oklahoma’s Jurassic giants: the dinosaurs of Black Mesa. Public lecture, No Man’s Land Historical Society, Goodwell, OK.

Wedel, M.J. November 12, 2022. Jurassic ark: giant dinosaurs and their world. Keynote address, Weis Earth Science Museum 20th Anniversary, University of Wisconsin, Menasha, WI.

Wedel, M.J. March 9, 2021. Lost worlds of the Jurassic: diverse dinosaurs and plants in the lower Morrison Formation of south-central Utah. Guest lecture, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, OK.

Wedel, M.J. April 29, 2021. Lost worlds of the Jurassic: diverse dinosaurs and plants in the lower Morrison Formation of south-central Utah. Guest lecture, Dept. of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA.

Wedel, M.J. October 13, 2021. Lost giants of the Jurassic: finding new fossils of Brachiosaurus and other dinosaurs. National Fossil Day public lecture, Museums of Western Colorado – Dinosaur Journey, Fruita, CO.

Wedel, M.J. March 12, 2020. Photographic specimens and composing illustrations. Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton, CA.

Wedel, M.J. July 23, 2019. My adventures with Sauroposeidon. Webb Schools Summer Paleontology Program, Claremont, CA.

SELECTED DOCUMENTATRY AND PODCAST APPEARANCES

December 27, 2017, Apatosaurus. I Know Dino Podcast

May 20, 2017, Life in the Age of Giants. Fist Full of Podcasts

October 17, 2011, Weird or What: Monsters. History Channel Canada

August 19, 2011, Jurassic CSI: Megasaurus. National Geographic Channel

December 13, 2009, Clash of the Dinosaurs: Generations. Discovery Channel

September 24, 2009, Animal Armageddon: The Next Extinction. Animal Planet

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING (employer, supervisor, duties)

2016 - Johns Hopkins University Press, Vincent Burke, book proposal reivew

2015-16 - Capstone Press, Anthony Wacholtz, fact checking and proofing art for basic science database

2015 - Capstone Press, Anthony Wacholtz, fact checkin and proofing art for dinosaur database and book series

2014 - Capstone Press, Shelly Lyons, research fact checking, for dinosaur database

2013 - Mega Brands America, Inc., Theresa Wong, research,fact checking, and proofing art for Go Dig dinosaur card game

2012-13 - Scholastic, Inc., Sam Nisson, research, fact checking, and proofing art for The Magic School Bus, Dinosaurs game

2012 - Leapfrof Enterprises, Inc. Carolyn Jaynes, reserach, fact checking, and proofing art for Leapand the Lost Dinosaur

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Academic editor for PeerJ since March, 2014, with 25 papers handled to date (17 published).

Over 90 peer reviews for Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, AMNH Novitates, Anatomical Record, Annals of the Carnegie Museum, Biological Reviews, Biology Letters, Bonner Zoologische Beiträge, BYU Geology Notes, Comptes Rendus Palevol, Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology (University of Michigan), Cretaceous Research, Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, Geology of the Intermountain West, Historical Biology, Journal of Experimental Zoology, Journal of Morphology, Journal of Peleontological Techniques, Journal of Systematic Paleontology, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, III Latin-American Congress of Vertebrate Paleontology, Nature Scientific Reports, Naturwissenschaften, Neus Jahrbuch, Palaeontologica Electronica, Palaeonotology, PaleoBios, PeerJ, PLoS ONE, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, and Indiana University Press.