Leon Claessens

Background

About Leon Claessens

I am Professor of Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution at Maastricht University. As a paleontologist and evolutionary biologist, I am interested in questions pertaining to major transformations in the form and function of vertebrates. I'm also interested biodiversity and biological conservation. Specific questions that we pursue in my research lab include the evolution of the respiratory system in archosaurs, including crocodiles, dinosaurs, pterosaurs and birds, and the biology of the extinct dodo from Mauritius and other extinct fauna and flora from the Mascarene Islands. From January 2019 until September 2022, I was the Dean of the Maastricht Science Programme. Currently, my administrative work is focused on the development of the evolutionary biology and paleontology curriculum at Maastricht University, at the home of the original type section for the Maastrichtian, the final age of the Cretaceous. Maastricht is also the home of the Mosasaurus and one of the birthplaces of vertebrate paleontology as a modern Science. As an educator, I am interested in innovative education in the Sciences, transformative graduate and undergraduate research experiences, and public outreach on evolutionary biology, biodiversity and paleontology.