Brandon Bell
Contributing Writer
Dr. Mark Wilson, professor of geology and the Lewis M. and Marian Senter Nixon Professor of Natural Sciences, was selected as a Fellow of The Paleontological Society, an organization dedicated to advancing the study of fossils worldwide.
Professor Wilson first learned he had been awarded the fellowship last summer during the Society’s meeting. He was honored again at the 2016 meeting of the Geological Society of America in Denver, Col., in September, when he presented a paper describing rare species of bryozoans found in caves.
In order to be selected as a Fellow, he had to be nominated by at least two existing Fellows from around the world. A fellowship in the Paleontological Society is an honorary position and highlights distinguished contributions to “research, teaching and service” in the field. It was deemed Professor Wilson had made contributions in all three ways.
Even before becoming a Fellow, he had an accomplished and thorough career with the Society, serving as its secretary and program coordinator. For him, this experience was also rewarding.
“I had superb experiences working as an officer,” he said. “All scientific societies are undergoing significant changes these days, and I had a place at the table as we discussed going from paper to electronic journals, open-access publishing […] I learned a great deal.”
As an eyewitness to the rapid pace of science, he stressed that his participation in this scientific society helped him stay up to date with the latest findings in his field.
“I was better informed of the most recent ideas in paleontology,” he said, as a result of his position. “There were many new hypotheses and discoveries I likely would have missed if I weren’t in these constant conversations.”
He has contributed to some of these recent findings himself. Earlier this year, he concluded in a study, along with other paleontologists, that the evolution of life in two time periods — the Cambrian and Ordovician — seemed to be independent events.
This study was the culmination of 25 years of work finding and studying trace fossils — preserved markings left behind by organisms.
Even if the activity of scientific societies seems distant from college life, Professor Wilson emphasized that their connection to undergraduate education was strong and helped him bring many opportunities to Wooster students.
“I made many more friends outside of my usual professional circle through my work as [an] officer,” he said. “From these contacts we developed field, laboratory and museum opportunities for Wooster students.”
Noting that many changes to scientific societies had to do with the growing participation of undergraduate students as members, he also encouraged students to participate as well.
“I encourage students to join professional societies in their fields of interest,” he said. “Societies usually have very inexpensive student memberships. [They] are often the first places students can take leadership and service roles in their disciplines. Society membership shows that a student is serious […] and is willing to invest in the community.”
A fellowship in The Paleontological Society is only the latest honor for Professor Wilson. He also recently received the Undergraduate Research Mentor Award from the Council on Undergraduate Research in 2015.