Full-Time Faculty: Kevin Downing
Degrees: B.S. degrees in Astronomy and Geology (University of Illinois-Champaign), M.S.T. in Geology (University of Florida-Gainesville), and Ph.D in Geosciences/Evolutionary Biology and Ecology (University of Arizona, Tucson)
Areas of Specialization and Research: Paleobiology, Geology, Science Education
His research interests include Miocene age fossil mammals, small mammal paleoecology, stratigraphic and paleogeographic change during the Himalayan Orogeny, online science learning and application of 3-D virtual laboratories for distance geological learning.
Professional Organizations: Geological Society of America, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, National Association of Geology Teachers, Paleontological Society.
Latest publications:
Downing, K. F., 2011 (In Press). The Human Evolutionary Transition from Religion to Science, in: Enduring Questions “Is the theory of evolution compatible with evolution”. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
Downing, K.F., and Holtz, J.K., (2011). Incorporating 3D Virtual Laboratory Specimens to Enhance Online Science: Examples from Paleontology and Biology. Chapter 14, 219-238 in Teaching With Digital Media: Best Practices and Innovations in Higher Education. Thomas D. Cox and Kathleen P. King Eds.: Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Antoine, P.O., Downing, K.F., Crochet, J-Y, Duranthon, F., Flynn, L.J., Marivaux,L., Metais, G., Abdul Rahim Rajpar, A. & Ghazala, R. (2010). A revision of Aceratherium blanfordi Lydekker, 1884 (Mammalia: Rhinocerotidae) from the early Miocene of Pakistan: postcranials as a key. Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society, 160:139-194.
Holtz, J. K. and Downing, K. F. (2009). Valuing Science and Science Learning as Global Capital. In Handbook of Blended Shore Education: Adult Program Development and Delivery. Strohschen, G., Ed. New York: Springer.
Downing, K. F. and Holtz, J.K. (2008). Online Science Learning: Best Practices and Technologies. Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishing. 353p.
Downing K. F., 2005. A new enigmatic large Rhinocerotid from the upper member of the Chitarwata Formation at Zinda Pir Dome, Western Pakistan.Palaeontologia Electronica,8:1, 20A
Downing K. F. and Lindsay, E. H. 2005. Relationship of Chitarwata Formation paleodrainage and paleoenvironments to Himalayan Tectonics and Indus River paleogeography. Palaeontologia Electronica, 8:1, 20A.
Lindsay, E.H, Flynn, L.J., Cheema, I.U., Barry, J.C., Downing, K.F., Rajpar, A.R. and Raza, S.M. 2005. Will Downs and the Zinda Pir Dome.Palaeontologia Electronica, 8:1, 19A.
Outside Interests: Kevin’s non-academic activities include among other things woodworking, playing ice hockey, composing guitar pieces, songwriting, and various outdoorsman pursuits.
- LL 250 Foundations of Adult Learning
- LL 300 Research Seminar
- SW 241 Gold, Oil, Gems and Soil: The Science of Mineral and Energy Resources
- SW 371 Dinosaurs
Phone: 312-476-3618
E-mail: kdowning@depaul.edu