Postdoctoral Scholar

University of Chicago
Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy
1027 E. 57th St.
Chicago, IL 60637 
Lab Phone: 773-834-4774
Email: marcusd@uchicago.edu

Joint Appointment

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Northern Illinois University

Research Interests 

Evolution of development of the vertebrate skeleton; 
The origin and evolution of paired appendages; 
Comparative embryology; Larval Eco-Devo; 
Vertebrate paleontology. 

My research has focused on the evolution of development of 
vertebrate paired appendages. I seek to understand the links 
between the genetic conservatism observed in model vertebrate
systems and the diversity in form and function we see in nature
through the study of phylogenetically relevant basal vertebrates.
These comparative developmental studies of both model and 
non-model organisms can reveal the ways in which patterning 
mechanisms and gene function may have evolved, and provide 
insight into how ecological factors affect the developmental 
program of organisms. Tying these genetic mechanisms to 
morphology are cellular level processes that shape tissue and 
organ systems. 

Publications 

Accepted         Dahn, R.D., M.C. Davis, W.N. Pappano, and N.H. Shubin.              
                       Shh function in chondrichthyan fins and the evolution of   
                       appendage patterning. Nature 2006. 

2004                Davis, M.C., N.H. Shubin, and A. Force. Pectoral fin and 
                       girdle development in the basal actinopterygians Polyodon    
                       spathula and Acipenser transmontanus. Journal of 
                       Morphology 262: 608-628. 

2004                Davis, M.C., N.H. Shubin, and E.B. Daeschler. A new  
                       specimen of Sauripterus taylori (Sarcopterygii,  
                       Osteichthyes) from the Fammenian Catskill Formation of 
                       North America. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 24 (1): 
                       26-40. 

2004                Shubin, N.H., and M.C. Davis. Modularity in the evolution 
                       of vertebrate appendages. In G. Schlosser and G. Wagner
                       (eds.), Modularity in development and evolution. University
                       of Chicago Press. Pp. 429-440. 

2002                Jeffery, J.E., M.C. Davis, N.H. Shubin, and E.B. Daeschler.
                       Sauripterus Hall, 1843 (Osteichthyes, Sarcopterygii): 
                       proposed conservation as the correct original spelling. 
                       Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 59 (3): 198-202.

2001                Davis, M.C., N. Shubin, and E.B. Daeschler. Immature 
                       rhizodontids from the Devonian of North America. Bulletin
                       of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 156 (1): 171-187.