I am a paleontologist with a strong background in evolutionary biology. My research centers around utilizing data to gain deeper insights into the ecology of extinct animals, with a special focus on the Neogene period in Turkey. Actively engaged in the field, I explore collections to conduct comprehensive research.
Keywords
Paleontology, Paleoecology, Paleobiogeography, Miocene Hominoids, (Meta-) Data analysis
Researchinterest
I explore how extinct animals adapted to climate change, revealing evolutionary and migration patterns. Data analysis unveils ancient ecosystems and enriches our understanding of natural history.
Extinction and climate change aren't only happening today—they've shaped the past too. I study the Neogene period (about 20.5 to 2.5 million years ago). During this era of changing climates, we observe mammals evolving, migrating, and disappearing. Fossils of these ancient animals offer insights into past environments and climate. Investigating how changing environments influenced the migratory patterns of Miocene hominoids—potential human ancestors—I hope to add to the understanding of our origins and our place in the natural world.
Currenttopics
- Biostratigraphy of the Greco-Iranian Bioprovince
- Paleobiogeography of Neogene Mammals
- Migration of Miocene Hominoids
- Jurassic Microfossils
Keypublications
Braumuller, Y., Altinbilek, S. K., & van den Hoek Ostende, L. W. (2025). Getting a grip, establishing a biochronology for th Greco-Iranian bioprovince. In Workshop–Shaping the Neogene: Climate, Tectonics, Life. Exploring the ecological drivers of continental ecosystem change in time and space (p. 11).
van den Hoek Ostende, L. W., Braumuller, Y., Altinbilek, S. K., & Sskandalos, P. (2025). Anatolian mammal paleontology, where do we stand? In Workshop–Shaping the Neogene: Climate, Tectonics, Life. Exploring the ecological drivers of continental ecosystem change in time and space (p. 31).
van den Hoek Ostende, L. W., Bilgin, M., Braumuller, Y., Cailleux, F., & Skandalos, P. (2023). Live long and prosper? Assessing longevity of small mammal taxa using the NOW database. In Evolution of Cenozoic Land Mammal Faunas and Ecosystems: 25 Years of the NOW Database of Fossil Mammals (pp. 111-129). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Madern, P. A., Braumuller, Y., Mavikurt, A. C., Mayda, S., Bergwerff, L., Janssen, N., ... & van den Hoek Ostende, L. W. (2023). Where’s dinner? Variation in carnivoran distributional responses to the mid-Vallesian faunal turnover. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 1-10.
Cailleux, F., Bilgin, M., Skandalos, P., Braumuller, Y., & van den Hoek Ostende, L. (2022). The quick and the dead. Competition as driver for shorter longevities. In 21st Slovak-Czech-Polish Paleontological Conference (p. 111).
Hoek Ostende, L.W. van den, Bilgin, M., Braumuller, Y.U., Hir, J., Joniak, P., Pelaez-Campomanes, P., ... , Casanovas-Vilar, I. (2020) Generically speaking, a survey on Neogene rodent diversity at the genus level in the NOW database. Fossil imprint, vol. 76, no. 1 (pp. 118–127)
Miller, J., Braumuller, Y., Kishor, P., Shorthouse, D., Dimitrova, M., Sautter, G., & Agosti, D. (2019). Mobilizing Data from Taxonomic Literature for an Iconic Species (Dinosauria, Theropoda, Tyrannosaurus rex). Biodiversity Information Science and Standards, 3, e37078.
Teachingactivities
Assistant MSc course Paleobiology, Leiden University
PhDsupervisors
Promotor: Jan Wijbrans (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam / Leiden University)
Promotor: Menno Schilthuizen (Naturalis Biodiversity Center / Leiden University)
Co-promotor: Lars van den Hoek Ostende (Naturalis Biodiversity Center)
Co-promotor: Jeremy Miller (Naturalis Biodiversity Center)
In the media
Universiteit van Nederland • Waarom heb jij verstandskiezen? (Als we ze toch trekken)
Talkshow UPD8 • De tweevingerige dino die evolutie herschrijft
KIJK Magazine • Moeder van de mensheid: wat heeft Lucy ons in vijftig jaar geleerd?
Omroep MAX • 50 jaar geleden: vondst van botten met kenmerken van zowel aap als mens
Leiden Science Magazine (Bionieuws Symposium) • European great apes and the tooth of time
Nature Today • Nieuwe oude aap uit Turkije werpt nieuw licht op onze verre voorouders
Open Rotterdam • Kinderen lossen dinosaurus crime scene op in Schiebroek
Faces of Science
Faces of Science is a science communication initiative by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and NEMO Kennislink. It gives early-career scientists a platform to share their research, experiences, and passions with a broad audience. Through blogs, videos, and social media, these young researchers offer a behind-the-scenes look at scientific work and show what it’s like to be a scientist today.
I create videos about the different projects within my PhD. I also explore where science and society meet, connecting my research to broader questions about our past, present, and future.
Curious? Check my Faces of Science profile page.
