His research: "My research interests focus on understanding macroevolutionary processes using a large scale deep time perspective. Currently, I'm investigating the causes of changes in mammalian diversity in North America from 30 million years up to the present day and how humans have impacted (and continue to impact) this diversity since our arrival on the continent."

Why he chose to study Paleontology: "I was always interested in math, science, and all things dinosaur as a child, but it wasn't until I went to college that I decided to pursue a career in paleontology. The turning point occurred over the summer after my freshman year in college when I read the book Dinosaurs in the Attic by Douglas Preston. It's a fascinating account of the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the expeditions of its scientists/explorers."

His path to Berkeley: "I grew up in the Bay Area and started my paleontological career here at Berkeley as an undergraduate. After completing my Ph.D. at Columbia University and the American Museum of Natural History in New York, I had the opportunity to return to Berkeley as a postdoc — an opportunity I jumped at knowing the great people and resources at the University and the Museum of Paleontology (as well as the spectacular Northern California weather)."

Selected Publications

• Kent-Corson M., A.D. Barnosky, A. Mulchc, M.A. Carrasco, C.P. Chamberlain. 2013. Possible regional tectonic controls on mammalian evolution in western North America. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 387 (2013) 17–26. Read it

• Uhen, M.D., A.D. Barnosky, B. Bills, J. Blois, M.T. Carrano, M.A. Carrasco, G.M. Erickson, J.T. Eronen, M. Fortelius, R.W. Graham, E.C. Grimm, M.A. O’Leary, A. Mast, W.H. Piel, P.D. Polly, and L.K. Säilä. 2013. From card catalogs to computers: databases in vertebrate paleontology. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 33:13-28. Read it

• Carrasco, M. 2011. Comparing extant mammalian species diversity to paleospecies richness: Problems and solutions. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 31(3, suppl.):85A. Read it

• Barnosky, A. D., M. A. Carrasco, and R. W. Graham. 2011. Collateral mammal diversity loss associated with late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions and implications for the future. In, McGowan, A. & Smith, A. B. (eds) Comparing the Geological and Fossil Records: Implications for Biodiversity Studies. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 358, 179-189.

• Barnosky, A.D., M.A. Carrasco and R.W. Graham. 2010. Calibrating the 'sixth mass extinction' for mammals. Lyell Symposium, International Paleontological Congress, London, June30-July 3, 2010.