Environmental Studies

Joshua Hedge

Joshua Hedge

Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies

Education:
Ph.D. Biology-NC State University (2019-2024):

  • "Variation in the Ornamentation of Elongatoolithid Eggs and the Implications for Oviraptorosaur Nesting".

MSci, Geology-University of Birmingham (2012-2016):

  • "An Ichnological Study of the Terrestrial 'Red-Beds' of the Carboniferous Salop Formation, Shropshire".

Specialization:
Vertebrate Paleontology
Evolutionary Biology
Theropod Reproductive Ecology
Paleoology (Fossil Eggs) 

Courses Taught

ES 120 - Introduction to Environmental Science

ES 220 - Ecology, Evolution, and Environment

ES 226 - Earth Systems

ES 234 - Historical Geology

BIOL 110 - The Science of Water

BIOL 220 - Ecology and Evolution

BIOL 310 - Paleoecology

BIOL 389 - Evolution 

Publications

Hedge, J.; Bender, E.R.; Zanno, L.E. (2024). “Novel Quantification of Eggshell Surfaces in Dromaius novaehollandiae with Implications for the Fossil Eggshells of Oviraptorosauria (Dinosauria)”, Ecology and Evolution, under review.

Hedge, J., Tucker, R.T., Makovicky, P.J., Zanno, L.E. (2024). “Fossil eggshell diversity of the Mussentuchit Member, Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah”, PLOS One, under review.

Zanno, L.E.; Tucker, R.T.; Avrahami, H.M.; Hedge, J. and Makovicky, P.J., (2024). Mid-Cretaceous Melting Pot: How Faunal Exchange and Climate Change Reshaped North American Dinosaur Communities. 200 Years of Dinosaurs: New Perspectives on an Ancient World.

Hedge, J; Zanno, L.E., (2023). Orientation: A New R Function For Quantifying The Direction And Strength Of Orientation On Paleontological Surfaces And Its Application To The Eggs Of Oviraptorosauria. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2023 (208). 

Hedge, J; Zanno, L.E., (2023). Reassessing The Alpha-Taxonomy Of The Oogenus Macroelongatoolithus Based On A New Nest From The Cenomanian-Age Mussentuchit Member Of The Cedar Mountain Formation (Utah). 14th Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota. Anat Rec, 306: 3-267.

L. Zanno, R. Tucker, C. Suarez, H. Avrahami, L. Herzog, J. Hedge, E. Lund, W. Freimuth, K. Beguesse, P. Makovicky (2023). Paleobiodiversity Of The Mussentuchit Member, Cedar Mountain Formation (Utah): New Discoveries Enhance And Contextualize An Exceptional Window Into Mid-Cretaceous Terrestrial Ecosystems. 14th Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota. Anat Rec, 306: 3-267.

Hedge, J; Zanno, L.E., (2022). Quantitative testing of eggshell ornamentation categories within two clutches of dinosaur eggs (Elongatoolithidae) from the Djadokhta Formation of Mongolia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2022 (177).

Hedge, J; Zanno, L.E., (2021). Quantitative measures of external ornamentation in avian and dinosaurian eggshell using a novel application of the R package molaR. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2021.

Hedge, J; Makovicky, P.J.; Cifelli, R; Zanno, L.E., (2020). New data on the ooassemblage of the Cenomanian-age Mussentuchit Member, Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts,2020.

Hedge, J.; Shillito, A.P.; Davies, N.S.; Butler, R.J. and Sansom, I.J., (2019). Invertebrate trace fossils from the Alveley member, Salop formation (Pennsylvanian, Carboniferous), Shropshire, UK. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, 130(1), pp.103-111.

Fieldwork
  • Straight Cliffs Fm., Utah, USA (2025)
  • Khukhteeg FM., Gobi Desert, Mongolia (2023)
  • Bayanshiree Fm., Gobi Desert, Mongolia (2023)
  • Menefee Fm., New Mexico, USA (2021-2023)
  • Moreno Hill Fm., New Mexico, USA (2020-2022)
  • Cedar Mountain Fm., Utah, USA (2020-2023)
  • Lealt Shale Fm., Isle of Skye, UK (2015-2018)
Scientific Outreach
  • Tri-Beta Seminar Speaker, Lake Forest College: "A Paleontological Perspective: What Does A Dinosaur Scientist Actually Do?" (2025)
  • Scientific Content Advisor, NCMNS Adult Night "Social in the Shire" (2023)
  • Science Liaison, NC State Basketball "Jurassic Park" Event (2021-22)
  • Scientific Content Creator, Dueling Dinosaurs Communications (2021)
  • Scientific Content Advisor, NCMNS Adult Night "Wild Love" (2020)