Faculty and Instructors

Shuhai Xiao

Professor of Geobiology

xiao@vt.edu

Office:

3061B Derring Hall

+1.540.231.1366 (Phone)

+1.540.231.3386 (FAX)

Mailing Address:

4044 Derring Hall (0420)
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Education:

Ph.D., Harvard University, 1998

Homepage:

http://www.paleo.geos.vt.edu/Shuhai/

Professional Experience

2008 -	Professor of geobiology, Department of Geosciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
2005 - 2008	Associate Professor of geobiology, Department of Geosciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
2003 - 2005	Assistant Professor of geobiology, Department of Geosciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
2000 - 2003	Assistant Professor of geology, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tulane University
1998 - 2000	Post-doctoral fellow, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University

Awards and Honors

2006	Charles Schuchert Award, Paleontological Society
2002	Best Paper Award, Honorable Mention, Journal of Paleontology and the Paleontological Society
2001	Best Paper Award, Honorable Mention, Journal of Paleontology and the Paleontological Society
1994	An Wang Fellowship, Harvard University

Professional Services

2006 - present	Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Stratigraphy
2006 - present	Associate Editor, Palaios
2006 - present	Associate Editor, PalaeoWorld
2005 - present	Associate Editor, Precambrian Research
2004 -2005	Associate editor, Journal of Paleontology
2004	Vice-chair, International Subcommission on Ediacaran System

Publications

2008 Xiao, S. and J. D. Schiffbauer, Fossil preservation through phosphatization and its astrobiological implications. In J. Seckbach and M. Walsh (ed.), From Fossils to Astrobiology. Springer-Verlag, New York. in press.

2008 Wang, J., G. Jiang, S. Xiao, Q. Li, and Q. Wei, Carbon isotope evidence for widespread methane seeps in the ~635 Ma Doushantuo cap carbonate in South China. Geology, in press.

2008 Liu, P., S. Xiao, C. Yin, C. Zhou, L. Gao, and F. Tang, Systematic description and phylogenetic affinity of tubular microfossils from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at Weng'an, South China. Palaeontology, 51: 339-366.

2008 Xiao, S., The rise and demise of ghostly animals. Science, 319: 1618-1619.

2008 McFadden, K. A., J. Huang, X. Chu, G. Jiang, A. J. Kaufman, C. Zhou, X. Yuan, and S. Xiao, Pulsed oxygenation and biological evolution in the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 105: 3197-3202.

2008 Dong, L., S. Xiao, B. Shen, X. Yuan, X. Yan, and Y. Peng, Restudy of the worm-like carbonaceous compression fossils Protoarenicola, Pararenicola, and Sinosabellidites from early Neoproterozoic successions in North China. Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, 258: 138-161.

2008 Dong, L., S. Xiao, B. Shen, and C. Zhou, Silicified Horodyskia and Palaeopascichnus from upper Ediacaran cherts in South China: tentative phylogenetic interpretation and implications for evolutionary stasis. Journal of the Geological Society of London, 165: 365-378.

2008 Shen, B., L. Dong, S. Xiao, and M. Kowalewski, The Avalon Explosion: Expansion and saturation of Ediacara morphospace. Science, 319:81-84.

2008 Shen, B., S. Xiao, A. J. Kaufman, H. Bao, C. Zhou, and H. Wang, Stratification and mixing of a post-glacial Neoproterozoic ocean: Evidence from carbon and sulfur isotopes in a cap dolostone from northwest China. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 265:209-228.

2007 Shen, B., S. Xiao, L. Dong, C. Zhou, and J. Liu, Problematic macrofossils from Ediacaran successions in the North China and Chaidam blocks: Implications for their evolutionary roots and biostratigraphic significance. Journal of Paleontology, 81:1406-1421.

2007 Schiffbauer, J., L. Yin, R. J. Bodnar, A. J. Kaufman, F. Meng, J. Hu, B. Shen, X. Yuan, H. Bao, and S. Xiao, Ultrastructural and geochemical characterization of Archean-Paleoproterozoic graphite particles: Implications for recognizing traces of life in highly metamorphosed rocks. Astrobiology, 7:684-704.

2007 Zhou, C., G. Xie, K. McFadden, S. Xiao, and X. Yuan, The diversification and extinction of Doushantuo-Pertatataka acritarchs in South China: Causes and biostratigraphic significance. Geological Journal, 42:229-262.

2007 Xiao, S., C. Zhou, and X. Yuan, Undressing and redressing Ediacaran embryos. Nature, 446: E9-10.

2007 Xiao, S., J. W. Hagadorn, C. Zhou, and X. Yuan, Rare helical spheroidal fossils from the Doushantuo Lagerstätte: Ediacaran animal embryos come of age? Geology, 35: 115-118.

2007 Zhou, C. and S. Xiao, Ediacaran d¹³C chemostratigraphy of South China. Chemical Geology, 237: 89-108.

2006 Hagadorn, J. W., S. Xiao, P. C. J. Donoghue, S. Bengtson, N. J. Gostling, M. Pawlowska, E. C. Raff, R. A. Raff, F. R. Turner, C. Yin, C. Zhou, X. Yuan, M. B. McFeely, M. Stampanoni, and K. H. Nealson, Cellular and subcellular structure of Neoproterozoic embryos. Science, 314: 291–294.

2006 Huntley, J. W., S. Xiao, and M. Kowalewski, On the morphological history of Proterozoic and Cambrian acritarchs. p. 23-56. In S. Xiao and A. J. Kaufman (ed.), Neoproterozoic Geobiology and Paleobiology. Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

2006 Xiao, S. and L. Dong, On the morphological and ecological history of Proterozoic macroalgae. p. 57-90. In S. Xiao and A. J. Kaufman (ed.), Neoproterozoic Geobiology and Paleobiology. Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

2006 Yuan, X., S. Xiao, and C. Zhou, Evolutionary radiation of eukaryotes during the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo stage. p. In J. Rong (ed.), Origination, Radiation, and Biodiversity Changes: Evidence from the Chinese Fossil Record. Science Press, Beijing.

2006 Huntley, J. W., S. Xiao, and M. Kowalewski, 1.3 billion years of acritarch history: An empirical morphospace approach. Precambrian Research, 144: 52-68.

2006 Pyle, L. J., G. M. Narbonne, G. S. Nowlan, S. Xiao, and N. P. James, Early Cambrian metazoan eggs, embryos, and phosphatic microfossils from northwestern Canada. Journal of Paleontology, 80:811-825.

2005 Xiao, S., B. Shen, C. Zhou, G. Xie, and X. Yuan, A uniquely preserved Ediacaran fossil with direct evidence for a quilted bodyplan. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 102: 10227-10232.

2005 Yuan, X., S. Xiao, and T. N. Taylor, Lichen-like symbiosis 600 million years ago. Science, 308: 1017-1020.

2005 Yao, J., S. Xiao, L. Yin, G. Li, and X. Yuan, Basal Cambrian microfossils from the Yurtus and Xishanblaq formations (Tarim, north-west China): Systematic revision and biostratigraphic correlation of Micrhystridium-like acritarchs from China. Palaeontology, 48: 687-708.

2005 Hua, H., Z. Chen, X. Yuan, L. Zhang, and S. Xiao, Skeletogenesis and asexual reproduction in the earliest biomineralizing animal Cloudina. Geology, 33:277-280.

2005 Xiao, S., J. Hu, X. Yuan, R. L. Parsley, and R. Cao, Articulated sponges from the Early Cambrian Hetang Formation in southern Anhui, South China: Their age and implications for the early evolution of sponges. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 220:89-117.

2005 Zhou, C., G. Xie, and S. Xiao, New data of microfossils from Doushantuo Formation at Zhangcunping, Hubei Province. Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, 22: 217-224.

2004 Zhou, C., X. Yuan, S. Xiao, Z. Chen, and Y. Xue, Phosphatized fossil assemblage from the Doushantuo Fromation in Baokang, Hubei Province. Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, 21: 349-366.

2004 Chen, Z., J. Hu, C. Zhou, S. Xiao, and X. Yuan, Sponge fossil assemblage from the Early Cambrian Hetang Formation in southern Anhui. Chinese Science Bulletin, 19: 1625-1628.

2004 Xiao, S., Life on Earth: Precambrian Eukaryotes. In R. C. Selley, R. Cocks, and I. R. Plimer (ed.), Encyclopedia of Geology. Volume 4, p. 354-363. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

2004 Xiao, S., Neoproterozoic glaciations and the fossil record. In G. S. Jenkins, M. McMenamin, C. P. McKay, and L. E. Sohl (ed.), Multidisciplinary Studies Exploring Extreme Proterozoic Environment Conditions. p. 199-214. American Geophysical Union (AGU), Washington DC.

2004 Li, G. and S. Xiao, Tannuolina and Micrina (Tannuolinidae) from the Lower Cambrian of eastern Yunnan, South China, and their scleritome reconstruction. Journal of Paleontology, 78:900-913.

2004 Zhou, C., R. Tucker, S. Xiao, Z. Peng, X. Yuan, and Z. Chen, New constraints on the ages of Neoproterozoic glaciations in South China. Geology, 32:437-440.

2004 Xiao, S., An arthropod sphinx. Chinese Science Bulletin, 49: 983-984.

2004 Xiao, S., H. Bao, H. Wang, A. J. Kaufman, C. Zhou, G. Li, X. Yuan, and H. Ling, The Neoproterozoic Quruqtagh Group in eastern Chinese Tianshan: Evidence for a post-Marinoan glaciation. Precambrian Research, 130:1-26.

2004 Xiao, S., New multicellular algal fossils and acritarchs in Doushantuo chert nodules (Neoproterozoic, Yangtze Gorges, South China). Journal of Paleontology, 78(2):393-401.

2004 Xiao, S., A. H. Knoll, X. Yuan, and C. M. Pueschel, Phosphatized multicellular algae in the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation, China, and the early evolution of florideophyte red algae. American Journal of Botany, 91:214-227.

2003 Kaufman, A. J., and S. Xiao, High CO₂ levels in the Proterozoic atmosphere estimated from ion microprobe analysis of individual microfossils. Nature, 425:279-282.

2002 Barfod, G.H., F. Albaréde, A. H. Knoll, S. Xiao, P. Télouk, R. Frei, and J. Baker, New Lu-Hf and Pb-Pb age constraints on the earliest animal fossils. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 201:203-212.

2002 Yuan, X., S. Xiao, R. L. Parsley, C. Zhou, Z. Chen and J. Hu, Towering sponges in an Early Cambrian Lagerstätte: Disparity between non-bilaterian and bilaterian epifaunal tierers at the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian transition. Geology, 30(4):363-366.

2002 Xiao, S., Mitotic topologies and mechanics of Neoproterozoic algae and animal embryos. Paleobiology, 28(2):244-250.

2002 Xiao, S., X. Yuan, M. Steiner and A. H. Knoll, Macroscopic carbonaceous compressions in a terminal Proterozoic shale: A reassessment of the Neoproterozoic Miaohe carbonaceous biota in South China. Journal of Paleontology, 76(2):347-376.

2002 Zhou, C., X. Yuan and S. Xiao, Phosphatized biotas from the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation on the Yangtze Platform. Chinese Science Bulletin, 47(22):1918-1924.

2001 Cao, R., X. Yuan, and S. Xiao, On morphogenesis of Conophyton stromatolites. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 40:318-329.

2001 Knoll, A. H. and S. Xiao, Precambrian Lagerstätten. In D. E.G. Briggs and P. R. Crowther (eds.) Palaeobiology II, p. 332-337. Blackwell Scientific, Oxford.

2001 Yin, L., S. Xiao and X. Yuan, New observations on spicule-like structures from Doushantuo phosphorites at Weng’an, Guizhou Province. Chinese Science Bulletin, 46(21):1828-1832.

2001 Zhou, C., K. Yan, J. Hu, F. Meng, Z. Chen, Y. Xue, R. Cao, L. Yin, J. Wang, J. Wang, S. Xiao, H. Bao, and X. Yuan, Neoproterozoic tillites at Lantian, Xiuning County, Anhui Province. Journal of Stratigraphy, 25(4):247-252.

2001 Yuan, X., S. Xiao, J. Li, L. Yin and R. Cao, Pyritized chuarids with excystment structures from the late Neoproterozoic Lantian Formation in Anhui, South China. Precambrian Research, 107:251-261.

2000 Xiao, S., X. Yuan and A. H. Knoll, Eumetazoan fossils in terminal Proterozoic phosphorites? Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 97(25): 13684-13689.

2000 Xiao, S. and A. H. Knoll, Phosphatized animal embryos from the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation in Weng’an, Guizhou, South China. Journal of Paleontology, 74(5): 767–788.

1999 Xiao, S. and A. H. Knoll, Cellular preservation in the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Lagerstätte, South China. Lethaia, 32: 219-240.

1999 Xiao, S. and A. H. Knoll, Embryos or algae? A reply. Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, 16(3): 313-323.

1999 Xiao, S., A. H. Knoll, L. Zhang and H. Hua, The discovery of Wengania globosa in Doushantuo phosphorites in Chadian, Shaanxi Province. Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, 16(3): 259-266.

1999 Knoll, A. H. and S. Xiao, On the age of the Doushantuo Formation. Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica. 16(3): 225-236.

1998 Xiao, S., Y. Zhang, and A. H. Knoll, Three-dimensional preservation of algae and animal embryos in a Neoproterozoic phosphorite. Nature. 391: 553-558.

1998 Xiao, S., A. H. Knoll and X. Yuan, Morphological reconstruction of Miaohephyton bifurcatum, a possible brown alga from the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation, South China. Journal of Paleontology. 72(6): 1072-1086.

1998 Zhang Y., L. Yin, S. Xiao and A. H. Knoll, Permineralized fossils from the terminal Proterozoic Doushantuo Formation, South China. Paleontological Society Memoir 50: 1-52.

1997 Xiao, S., A. H. Knoll, A. J. Kaufman, L. Yin and Y. Zhang, Neoproterozoic fossils in Mesoproterozoic rocks? Chemostratigraphic resolution of a biostratigraphic conundrum from the North China Platform. Precambrian Research, 84(3-4): 197-220.

1993 Zhang, Y., L. Jin, S. Xiao and Y. Liang, Image analysis of stromatolite fabrics using a spatial frequency power spectrum analysis system. Journal of Geology, 101: 591-602.

1993 Zhang, Y., L. Jin, S. Xiao and Y. Liang, Morphometric analysis of stromatolite fabric using spatial-frequency power-spectrum analysis system. In: Zhu, S. (ed.), The Stromatolites of China. p. 28-39. Tianjin University Press, Tianjin.

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