Nicolás Mongiardino Koch

I study deep-time evolutionary biology, exploring the diversification of life on Earth by combining research on genomes and fossils.

My research encompasses phylogenomics, macroevolution, and paleobiology using cutting-edge computational, sequencing, and imaging techniques. Although much of my focus is on sea urchins and other echinoderms, I enjoy working across the invertebrate tree of life.

Scientific Path

Throughout my years as a scientist, I have been part of biology, geology, and oceanography departments, solidifying a interdisciplinary perspective that I strive to maintain as my scientific journey continues. This has also given me the opportunity to teach a wide range of courses on the topics of phylogenetics, evolution, paleobiology, statistics, and computer science.

Licenciatura (BS+MS)

Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales

Universidad de Buenos Aires

MPhil & PhD

Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences

Yale University

Postdoctoral Fellow & Lecturer

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

UC San Diego

Research Scientist

Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Princeton University

Assistant Professor

Department of Biology

Colorado State University

Research Goals

Reconstructing events that occurred millions of years ago is a daunting task. Echoes of distant pasts can be found today in two main places: the genomes of living organisms, which retain historical signals that can help us assemble the tree of life; and the geological record, a unique window into past states of the biosphere. Accurately reconstructing the past, and the trajectory connecting it to present-day conditions, necessitates the integration of these two distinct sources of information.

I strive to advance the field of phylogenetic paleobiology, developing novel methods and computational tools that help blur the paleontological-neontological divide and showcase the benefits of tackling evolutionary questions using integrative approaches. In the process, I also seek to establish sea urchins as a model clade for macroevolutionary research.