David Tab Rasmussen | |
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| Born | June 17, 1958 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Died | August 7, 2014 (aged 56) Edwardsville, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
| Institutions | |
| Doctoral advisor | Elwyn L. Simons |
| Other academic advisors | Kenneth Glander |
| Author abbrev. (zoology) | Rasmussen |
David Tab Rasmussen (June 17, 1958 – August 7, 2014), also known as D. Tab Rasmussen, was an American biological anthropologist. Specializing in both paleontology and behavioral ecology with interests in Paleogene mammals, early primate evolution, prosimians (lorises, lemurs, and tarsiers), and birds, he synthesized multiple fields of study in order to better understand evolutionary processes. His field research spanned the western United States as well as internationally in Africa and the Neotropics. He published over 85 research articles.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1958, Rasmussen grew up in the Sonoran Desert, which he frequently explored as a child and young adult. After obtaining his PhD from Duke University under the guidance of Elwyn L. Simons in 1986, he went on to work at Rice University and University of California, Los Angeles before finally settling at Washington University in St. Louis where he spent the remainder of his career. He was active in the graduate program, serving as the director and as a member of the Graduate Council. He was recognized by students on multiple occasions for his teaching and mentoring.