Catherine Badgley's general research interest is the history of biological diversity, especially from the perspective of ancient and modern mammalian assemblages. She studies changes in ecological structure of mammalian faunas in relation to environmental gradients over continental regions and over geologic time. This interest links her work in paleoecology, biogeography of modern mammals, and the current loss of biodiversity. Over her academic career the common link among her work are the ecological and evolutionary response of biodiversity to global change. I have expertise and enduring interest in the history of life but am also interested in elucidating its relevance to contemporary environmental problems. These problems are pervasive and potentially devastating to human well-being, as well as to environmental quality and the persistence of other species. I am committed to discovering solutions to some of these problems through my research.