Judith Nagel-Myers

I study the biology, evolution, and environmental responses of bivalves and other mollusks, both living and extinct, using morphometrics, experimental methods, three-dimensional modeling, and paleontological analysis. My work examines how environmental change, predation, and evolutionary history shape shell form and structure in both modern and ancient environments. Recently I have started to examine the effects of microplastics on freshwater clam populations. 

Current Research

• Shell building in acidified freshwater systems
• Shape variation in local freshwater clams using 2D & 3D morphometrics
• Taxonomy & paleoecology of the Devonian genus Ontaria sp.
• Finite element and computer-based structural analysis of shell shapes using engineering software to model stress and function
• Microplastics in freshwater clams (with Chemistry & Computer Science)

Student Mentorship

• 18 student research projects in the past 7 years
• 4 peer-reviewed papers with student co-authors
• Most students present at national geological meetings

Showcasing Student-Led Research and Presentations

• Jakobsen, R., van der Boon, A., Nagel-Myers, J. (2025)
  A Paleomagnetic Study of the Devonian Old Red Sandstone from Woodfjorden, Svalbard. Presented at GSA Connects 2025, San Antonio, Texas.
• Lynford, L.T., Nagel-Myers, J. (2025)
  Climate-Driven Morphological Changes in Eocene Taxa on Seymour Island, Antarctica. Presented at GSA Connects 2025, San Antonio, Texas.
• Mooney, M., Nagel-Myers, J., Oldacre, A., Angstadt, K. (2025)
  A Quantitative Analysis of Microplastic Ingestion in Northern New York Bivalves. Presented at Geological Society of America Northeast/Central 60th Joint Meeting, Erie, PA.
• Cary, J., Nagel-Myers, J. (2025)
  Predatory Behavior of Native Northern New York Crayfish versus Their Rusty Crayfish Competitors. Presented at Geological Society of America Northeast/Central 60th Joint Meeting, Erie, PA.
• Van Tassel, T., Nagel-Myers, J., Bush, A. (2023)
  Preliminary Look at Bivalve Ranges through the Kellwasser Events of the Upper Devonian in the Appalachian Basin. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 55, No. 6.
• Burns, A., Nagel-Myers, J. (2023)
  Anthropogenic Impact on Freshwater Bivalve Growth in Northern New York and the Adirondack Park. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 55, No. 2.
• Whyte, F., Nagel-Myers, J., Oldacre, A. (2023)
  Microplastics in Freshwater Mussels from Northern New York and the Adirondack Park. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 55, No. 2.
• Idec, E., Fenton, L., Metzger, S., Dorn, T., Young, C., Nagel-Myers, J. (2022)
  Differential Surface Heating and Its Potential Effects on Dust Devil Formation. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 50, No. 5.
• Schuckers, D., Nagel-Myers, J. (2022)
  Using Acidity Differences in Northern New York Rivers to Examine Porosity Changes in Freshwater Clam Shells. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 54, No. 3.
• Mofali, L., Nagel-Myers, J. (2021)
  The Effects of Lower pH on Freshwater Mussel Shell Growth in the Raquette River, Northern New York State. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 53, No. 6.
• Fitzgerald, E., Nagel-Myers, J. (2021)
  Morphometric Changes in an Antarctic Nasariid Gastropod during the Eocene. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 53, No. 6.