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Mark Norell
Chair and Curator
Dr. Norell works in several areas of specimen-based and theoretical research. He works on the description and relationships of coelurosaurs and studies elements of the Asian Mesozoic fauna. He analyzes important new "feathered" dinosaurs from Liaoning, China, and develops theoretical methods for better understanding phylogenetic relationships and pattern in the fossil record. More...
Michael J. Novacek
Senior Vice President, Provost, Curator
Dr. Novacek's studies concern patterns of evolution and relationships among organisms, particularly mammals. His interests have ranged from paleontological evidence to new data on DNA sequences. He also is one of the team leaders of the joint American Museum of Natural History/Mongolian Academy of Sciences ongoing expeditions to the Gobi Desert, begun in 1990. More...
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Jin Meng
Associate Curator
Jin Meng studies the morphology, systematics, and evolution of mammals, particularly early mammals. Unlike some paleontologists who focus primarily upon teeth and dentition as their evidence, Dr. Meng examines the cranium, ear region, and enamel microstructure of teeth as sources of data to address evolutionary issues concerning mammals. More...
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Neil Landman
Curator
Dr. Landman's interests include the evolution, life history, and systematics of externally shelled cephalopods, particularly the twin groups—the ammonoids and nautiloids. More...
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John J. Flynn (right)
Frick Curator
Author of more than 80 scientific publications, Flynn's research focuses on the evolution of mammals and Mesozoic vertebrates, geological dating, plate tectonics, and biogeography. More...
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Niles Eldredge
Curator
A specialist in mid-Paleozoic phacopid trilobites, Dr. Eldredge, along with colleagues at Rochester and Harvard, formulated a theory challenging Darwin's premise that evolution occurs gradually, known as Punctuated Equilibrium. More...
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Xing Xu
Research Scientist
Xing Xu studies the morphology, systematics, and evolution of dinosaurs, amphibians, and other reptiles. Some of his major work includes describing Microraptor gui, a small dromaeosaur with long feathers on its tail and four limbs; Sinornithosaurus millennii, also a dromaeosaur with long feathers covering its body; and Beipiaosaurus inexpectus, a feathered therizinosaur. These fossils provide some of the strongest evidence to date for the theory that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs. Dr. Xu received a B.A. in geology from Beijing University in 1992 and a Ph.D. in geology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2002. Along with his position at the Museum, he is also a research scientist at the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute for Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology.
