We speak to Aditya Kurre, runner-up of the 2025 Biology Letters Early Career Researcher Competition for the research paper Lost giants, lost functions: palaeodietary insights into the ecological niches of Pleistocene ground sloths
Tell us about yourself and your research article (please include your institutions and faculty positions/roles)
I am currently a first year at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University where I studied Molecular and Cellular Biology. At Vanderbilt, I was interested in the intersections of evolution, paleoecology, and craniodental biology.
My project in the DeSantis DREAM Lab (www.desantislab.com) examined fossil teeth from extinct giant ground sloths to better understand their dietary ecology. Because conventional chemical methods have been difficult to apply to sloths (such as stable isotopes), we instead compared microscopic surface textures between two species to evaluate whether these textures could serve as reliable indicators of diet and shed light on their ecological roles.
We found that the surface textures of our giant sloth teeth specimens were realistic and representative of signatures from other large herbivores. One species in particular, Paramylodon harlani, appears to have had a highly specialized diet of brittle foods, with surface textures most similar to fossorial feeders – herbivores that dig for their food. Our research shows how these fossils can be utilized in ecological reconstruction and the diverse niches that giant ground sloths once filled. Understanding these lost roles helps us better grasp how modern ecosystems function – and what we risk losing as biodiversity declines today.
Did you expect to be a finalist in our competition? And do you recommend that other early career researchers enter this year’s competition?
Receiving the notification that I was a finalist was a real surprise. This project involved collaborations between multiple departments at Vanderbilt and guidance from experts across the country. I am grateful that the collective efforts of all individuals involved could be recognized through this award and definitely recommend early career researchers to enter this competition.
What’s next for you and your work?
This project was the first of two studies comprising my senior honors thesis, and I am now working toward writing the second manuscript. Additionally, as a dental student, I am interested in investigating how approaches from paleobiology may be translated into applications in dentistry and medicine.
And finally, do you have any advice for upcoming generations of scientists in your field?
The best part of this experience was getting to learn about beasts that lived before our time, each question leading to new ideas, collaborations, and more questions. My advice is to trust unexpected directions and never be afraid to investigate an idea simply because it seems unlikely to work.
The 2026 competition is now open and will run until Tuesday 31 March. Please see our terms and conditions before entering or contact the editorial office with your questions.
Photo credit: Ms Ekta Anand, Vanderbilt University 25
