Expanded Eyesight, Not Limbs, Led Fish Onto Land 385 Millions Years Ago According to New Research by Professor Lars Schmitz

Claremont, Calif. (March 7, 2017) — New research by Assistant Professor of Biology Lars Schmitz suggests that enlarged eyes and expanded visual range in our ancient aquatic ancestors happened before their evolutionary leap from water to land, about 385 million years ago, and was a critical factor in how our brains developed. Schmitz and Professor [Read More...]

March 7, 2017

Press Releases

Primordial Perception: Pitzer Professor Lars Schmitz Gives Talk on the Evolution of Eyes

Claremont, Calif. (February 14, 2014)— Assistant Professor Lars Schmitz will discuss his ongoing research into the evolution of eyes on February 18, 2014 at the Malott Commons at Scripps College. Schmitz teaches biology at the W.M. Keck Science Department, a joint program of Pitzer, Claremont McKenna and Scripps colleges. The event is open to all [Read More...]

February 14, 2014

Press Releases

Pitzer College Professor of Biology Lars Schmitz Discovers Existence of Prehistoric “Sea Monster”

Claremont, Calif. (December 7, 2012)—Assistant Professor of Biology Lars Schmitz of Pitzer College’s W.M. Keck Science Department and a team of researchers have discovered evidence of the first giant marine predator to stalk the seas in prehistoric times. The predator appeared after the massive extinction event that practically wiped out life on earth some 250 [Read More...]

December 7, 2012

Press Releases

Pitzer College Alumnus and Professor Present at World Congress of Herpetology

Claremont, Calif. (August 24, 2012) — Pitzer College alumnus Matthew Ward ’11 and Professor of Biology Marion Preest of Pitzer’s W. M. Keck Science Department presented research about the way some chameleons attract their prey. The presentation, “Chemical Prey Luring in Jackson’s Chameleons: Time’s Fun When You’re Having Flies,” was made at the 7th World [Read More...]

August 24, 2012

Press Releases

W.M. Keck Science Department Professor Bryan Thines Selected for US Department of Energy Research Program

Claremont, Calif. (March 2, 2012) — Assistant Professor of Biology Bryan Thines is one of 26 scientists selected to participate in the US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute’s Undergraduate Research Program in Microbial Genome Annotation. The DOE’s Joint Genome Institute (JGI) is spearheading an effort to sequence thousands of microbial genomes. Students in [Read More...]

March 2, 2012

Press Releases

Pitzer College Professor of Biology Branwen Williams Pens Article for Prestigious Journal

Claremont, Calif. (March 2, 2012) — Pitzer College Assistant Professor of Biology Branwen Williams has co-authored “The Geological Record of Ocean Acidification,” an article published in the March 2 edition of Science, a leading peer-reviewed journal of scientific research. “The Geological Record of Ocean Acidification” examines the effects of excess carbon dioxide on the ocean. [Read More...]

March 2, 2012