Fastovsky, D. E.

David E. Fastovsky is an American paleontologist and geologist who has contributed to discussions at the intersection of evolutionary science and religious thought. While primarily known for his work on dinosaur evolution and extinction, including co-authoring the widely-used textbook "The Evolution and Extinction of the Dinosaurs" (first published 1996, with subsequent editions), Fastovsky's scientific writings have indirect implications for the God debate. His detailed documentation of evolutionary processes and mass extinction events contributes to naturalistic explanations of Earth's history that have been central to discussions about divine action, design, and theodicy. As a professor at the University of Rhode Island, Fastovsky has engaged with questions about how scientific understanding of deep time and evolutionary change relates to religious worldviews, particularly regarding creation narratives and the problem of suffering in nature.