J. T. F. E. M. Van Valen (paleontologist)

J. T. F. E. M. Van Valen was a prominent paleontologist known for his innovative contributions to evolutionary biology. He is best recognized for formulating the "Red Queen hypothesis," which suggests that species must continuously adapt and evolve not just for survival, but to keep pace with ever-changing environments and competing organisms. His work emphasized the role of biodiversity and extinction in shaping life on Earth. Van Valen's research highlighted how evolutionary processes are driven by both ecological pressures and the interactions among species, making significant impacts on our understanding of evolution and ecology.