Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
Shimada is interested in the evolution of marine ecosystems over geologic time, particularly by examining the paleobiology of sharks and other marine vertebrates that lived during the ‘age of dinosaurs’ (Mesozoic). While he studies a variety of organisms in the context of paleoecology, his specialty is in a group of sharks called lamniforms that have been ecologically important in past and present oceans as they include top predators (e.g., mako and great white sharks) and large plankton feeders (e.g., basking and megamouth sharks). Shimada enjoys demonstrating the relationships of morphology in such aquatic vertebrates to their life history strategies, behavior, ecology, and evolution.
Teaching
- Introduction to Paleobiology (Bio 122)
- General Biology II (Bio 192)
- Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (Bio 270)
- Topics in Paleobiology (Bio 345/445)
- Environmental Geology with Lab (Env 115)
- Geology of the Environment (Env 116)
- The Earth through Time with Lab (Env 117)
- The Earth through Time (Env 118)
- Biology for Environmental Studies (Env 205)
- Animal Diversity (Env 305/425)
- Natural History in Chicago (ISP 102: Explore Chicago)
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Atypical dentition of a Porbeagle Shark (Lamna nasus) highlights odontological considerations in the taxonomy and phylogenetics of sharks
Moyer, J. K., Watkins-Colwell, G. J. & Shimada, K., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Anatomical Record.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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FIRST SUBSTANTIATED RECORD OF THE “MEGATOOTH SHARK” GENUS OTODUS (LAMNIFORMES: OTODONTIDAE) FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF TEXAS, USA
Mahoney, M. G., Kantala, T. & Shimada, K., 2026, In: Texas Journal of Science. 78, 1, p. 49-57 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Rediscovery of the associated gigantic vertebrae of the extinct megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon, from the Upper Miocene Gram Formation in Denmark, and comments on its paleobiological significance and the maximum possible size of the species
Shimada, K., Elstrup, M., Lauridsen, H., Sørensen, T. & Siversson, M., 2026, In: Palaeontologia Electronica. 29, 2, a27.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Sharks as apex predators in the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway empirically revealed by zinc isotope analyses
McCormack, J., IV, H. M., Becker, M. A., Griffiths, M. L., Knighton, J., Eagle, R. A., Stevens, K., Müller, W. & Shimada, K., Jul 2026, In: Gondwana Research. 155, p. 227-239 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
The musculature and skeleton of the pelvic fin of the crocodile shark, Pseudocarcharias kamoharai (Matsubara, 1936) (Elasmobranchii: Lamniformes): Morphology and sexual dimorphism
Mianutti, L. F., Shimada, K. & da Silva, J. P. C. B., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Anatomical Record.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Press/Media
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Eagle Shark: Discovering the 93-Million-Year-Old Winged Ancient Species
8/31/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Research & Innovation Researchers rediscover once-lost super-sized Megalodon vertebrae
7/22/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Megalodon fossil confirms true size of massive shark
7/18/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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DePaul University: Researchers Rediscover Once-Lost Super-Sized Megalodon Vertebrae
7/11/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Denmark's missing megalodon fossil returns with new evidence of a 24-meter giant
7/10/26
4 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research