Ryan Bebej
BioLogos Voices
Ryan Bebej is a professor in the Department of Biology at Calvin University, where he was selected as professor of the year in 2017. He earned his Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology with a focus in paleontology from the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the evolution of aquatic mammals from terrestrial ancestors, including cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses). He is especially interested in the earliest stages of these large-scale evolutionary transitions and the anatomical modifications that facilitate changes in swimming mode. He has excavated skeletons of fossil whales at Wadi Al-Hitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Egypt’s western desert, and he routinely spends time working in collections at world-renowned museums. Ryan is also deeply interested in the relationship between science and Christian faith. In addition to being a member of BioLogos Voices since 2016, he has been a Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) visiting scholar in science and religion and a participant in SCIO’s Bridging the Two Cultures of Science and the Humanities II program. When he isn’t working, he loves spending time with his wife and two sons, playing German tabletop games, and rooting for the Michigan Wolverines and St. Louis Cardinals.
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From Young-Earth Creationist to Whale Evolution Expert: My Story
My scholarly research focuses on paleontology, especially regarding the evolution of whales. If you had told my 18-year-old self that I would end up in this career, there is absolutely no way I would have believed you.
The Tale of a Whale: An Ideal Case Study for Introducing the Evidence for Evolution
An exploration of the evolutionary history of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) is an ideal case study for presenting the evidence for evolution in a way that is both concise and compelling.
Defending the Tale of the Whale
Is the story of whale evolution in trouble? An expert walks through recent claims.
Biological Death: Part of God’s "Good" Creation?
What if we were to reconsider animal death as a part of God’s “good” creation rather than as a consequence of human or angelic sin?
My Favorite Fossil: Maiacetus inuus
Paleontologist Ryan Bebej shares about his favorite fossil—a four-legged aquatic mammal called Maiacetus that lived about 47.5 million years ago.
From Young-Earth Creationist to Whale Evolution Expert: My Story
My scholarly research focuses on paleontology, especially regarding the evolution of whales. If you had told my 18-year-old self that I would end up in this career, there is absolutely no way I would have believed you.
The Tale of a Whale: An Ideal Case Study for Introducing the Evidence for Evolution
An exploration of the evolutionary history of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) is an ideal case study for presenting the evidence for evolution in a way that is both concise and compelling.
Defending the Tale of the Whale
Is the story of whale evolution in trouble? An expert walks through recent claims.
Biological Death: Part of God’s "Good" Creation?
What if we were to reconsider animal death as a part of God’s “good” creation rather than as a consequence of human or angelic sin?
My Favorite Fossil: Maiacetus inuus
Paleontologist Ryan Bebej shares about his favorite fossil—a four-legged aquatic mammal called Maiacetus that lived about 47.5 million years ago.
From Young-Earth Creationist to Whale Evolution Expert: My Story
My scholarly research focuses on paleontology, especially regarding the evolution of whales. If you had told my 18-year-old self that I would end up in this career, there is absolutely no way I would have believed you.
The Tale of a Whale: An Ideal Case Study for Introducing the Evidence for Evolution
An exploration of the evolutionary history of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) is an ideal case study for presenting the evidence for evolution in a way that is both concise and compelling.