Paleontologist Carlos Mauricio Peredo specializes in the evolutionary history of marine mammals. Carlos has just completed an appointment as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Michigan, where his research focused on understanding the macroevolutionary patterns associated with mammals returning to a marine environment. He currently serves as an assistant professor in biological sciences at Miami University of Ohio. He studies the evolutionary origins of key innovations, such as echolocation in toothed whales and filter feeding in baleen whales. His work combines cutting-edge techniques such as high-resolution CT scanning and 3D modeling of fossils with traditional methods and data used in paleontology, geology and gross anatomy. As an assistant professor, Carlos teaches courses in paleontology and geology and has mentored students pursuing careers in both science and education. Carlos’ field work at locations around the globe has led to the discovery of six new species of fossil mammals. In 2018, he named a new species of dolphin with ancient roots in the Pacific Northwest while researching an 18-million-year-old fossil specimen of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle. 

Carlos entered Seton Hill planning to study history and become an educator. His interest in the scientific side of history was nurtured by Dr. Steve Bassett, who showed how he could study biology from a non pre-med perspective. Carlos graduated with a biology degree. He earned his master’s and doctorate in environmental science and policy at George Mason University, where he had an opportunity to work at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as a predoctoral fellow, spending much of his time studying fossils. He has had a long association with the Smithsonian, where he worked as an undergrad through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. 

Seton Hill University’s Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award, established in 1987, is one of the highest honors given to a graduate. Setonians have been named distinguished alumni for their leadership in education, business, science and technology, the arts, volunteerism and philanthropy.