Hans J. Hofmann

Hans J. Hofmann (3 October 1936, Kiel, Germany – 19 May 2010, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) was a paleontologist, specializing in the study of Precambrian fossils using computer modelling and image analysis to quantify morphologic attributes.[1][2][3]

Born in Germany, Hofmann immigrated to Montreal, Quebec, Canada and studied geology at McGill University, where he earned a Ph.D. under the supervision of T. H. Clark. He taught for three years at the University of Cincinnati and then worked at the Geological Survey of Canada. He was a professor in the geology department of the Université de Montréal for 31 years (1969–2000). He spent the last ten years of his life as a researcher in the Redpath Museum and an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill.[3]

The National Academy of Sciences noted him for, "his pioneering discoveries of fossils that have illuminated life's early evolution, from Archean stromatolites and Proterozoic cyanobacteria, to the rise of multicellular organisms."[3][4]

Hofmann's contributions have shed light on the biologic, stratigraphic, and evolutionary significance of various stromatolites, microfossils, macrofossils, and trace fossils.

Awards

References
  1. "Passing of paleontologist Hans J. Hofmann (1936-2010)". GEOTOP. 2010. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  2. Obituary in Toronto Globe and Mail, 29 July 2010. Paleontologist Hans Hofmann filled an evolutionary gap by finding evidence of early life in ancient rocks. Accessed 16 August 2010.
  3. Narbonne, Guy. "Obituaries of deceased fellows: Hans Jorg Hofmann" (PDF). Royal Society of Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  4. "Charles Doolittle Walcott Medal". National Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  5. "Willet G. Miller Medal". Royal Society of Canada. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012.


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