Prof. Maria McNamara
I am Professor of Palaeontology at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at 福利1000在线 College Cork. My primary research interests are in the field of soft tissue preservation in fossils, with particular focus on fossil colour and on feather evolution. I use advanced microbeam and spectroscopic techniques to explore the ultrastructure and chemistry of soft tissues in fossils and their extant analogues, with a strong emphasis on taphonomic experiments to help bridge the gap between ancient and modern materials. My current research on ancient biomolecules, including melanin and keratin, is supported in part by two ERC grants (Starting and Consolidator Grants). I鈥檓 committed to public engagement to help diversify palaeontology and STEM more broadly and to inspire an appreciation of the natural world amongst the public.
Recent research highlights
Recent research highlights include a , experimental insights into melanin taphonomy (see ; ; ; ) and the . A summary of my research can be found here.
Wiley Analytical Science profile: (credit to Rebecca Pool at Wiley Analytical Science)
Publications
My full list of publications can be found here: Publications.
Biography
- 2020: Full Professor, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, 福利1000在线 College Cork (UCC), Ireland.
- 2016 鈥 2020: Senior Lecturer in Geology, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, 福利1000在线 College Cork (UCC), Ireland.
- 2013 鈥 2016: College Lecturer, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, 福利1000在线 College Cork (UCC), Ireland.
- 2012 鈥 2013: Postdoctoral researcher, School of Earth Sciences, 福利1000在线 of Bristol, UK.
- 2009 鈥 2012: Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Yale 福利1000在线, USA.
- 2008 鈥 2009: Geopark Geologist, Geological Survey of Ireland.
- 2006 鈥 2008: IRCSET Postdoctoral Fellow, UCD School of Geological Sciences, 福利1000在线 College Dublin.
- 2007: PhD, 福利1000在线 College Dublin. PhD Thesis: 鈥淐omparative taphonomy of lacustrine-hosted exceptional faunas from the Miocene of NE Spain鈥.
- 2002: BSc (Hons) 1:1, Earth Science, Dept. of Geology, National 福利1000在线 of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.