Tara Smiley, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been named a recipient of the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award. The award recognizes her project aimed at examining eco-evolutionary responses to landscape and climate dynamics through a detailed study of small-mammal fossils.
Smiley’s research will collect and analyze multi-proxy trait data from small-mammal fossils to better understand dietary ecology, habitat use, and ecological structure across various taxonomic, spatial, and temporal scales. The project will focus on fossil records from the Basin and Range Province in western North America and the East Africa Rift in Kenya. This comparative approach seeks to clarify how global and regional climate changes, grassland expansion, and tectonic activity have influenced the evolution of small mammals during the Miocene epoch.
The work is expected to address fundamental questions about how ecological diversity is structured and how species adapt during periods of environmental change. According to Smiley: “I’m thrilled to receive the NSF CAREER award to advance our knowledge of eco-evolutionary responses to landscape and climate change across space and time. This support from the NSF will help us gain an understanding of an understudied group of mammals — small mammals — that may act as first responders to environmental changes like climate warming and habitat transitions. I am especially pleased that, through partnership with Stony Brook University’s Turkana Basin Institute, this work will provide high-impact training opportunities for students, strengthen international collaborations across career stages, and promote capacity-building for emerging national and international scholars in paleontology.”
Joshua Rest, associate professor and chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University, commented on Smiley’s recognition: “Tara’s work exemplifies the power of paleontology to illuminate the connections between life and climate — by unlocking the small-mammal fossil record, she is revealing how ecological and evolutionary processes respond to environmental change across time scales. This CAREER award recognizes not only Tara’s innovative research on how landscapes and climates shape biodiversity, but also her dedication to mentoring students and building a program that bridges the fossil record, modern ecology, and the classroom. Her achievement reflects the exciting trajectory of the Department of Ecology and Evolution at SBU and aligns with our vision of addressing the great challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss through integrative and quantitative science. It underscores our shared commitment to understanding how life responds to changing environments.”
Smiley specializes in studying how historical changes in climate, tectonics, topography, and habitat diversity have affected mammalian communities over time. Her research methods include fieldwork as well as specimen-based studies involving stable isotope analysis for paleoenvironmental reconstruction.
A significant part of Smiley’s project involves collaboration with Stony Brook University’s Turkana Basin Institute (TBI) in Kenya. She noted: “TBI is such a tremendous resource here at SBU and their involvement is key to the success of the grant,” adding that both Dino Martins (TBI Director) and Gabrielle Russo (Deputy Director) have been supportive throughout her proposal process.
The educational component includes developing hands-on fieldwork experiences for students along with supporting collaborative research among U.S. and Kenyan scientists. The initiative aims to improve data sharing practices while creating educational materials for local communities in Kenya.
The NSF CAREER Award is regarded as one of the highest honors for early-career faculty members nationwide; it supports researchers who are seen as potential leaders within their fields both academically and educationally by fostering long-term integration between education initiatives and scientific research.