Jack Tseng

Jack Tseng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he leads the Functional Anatomy and Vertebrate Evolution (FAVE) Laboratory. His research program bridges paleontology, evolutionary biology, and biomechanics to investigate macroevolutionary patterns in vertebrate morphology, particularly focusing on mammalian skull structure and function across deep time.

Dr. Tseng's research interests center on understanding the evolutionary relationships between form and function in vertebrate feeding systems. His laboratory employs cutting-edge methodologies including geometric morphometrics, finite element analysis, mechanical testing, and kinematics analysis to study how diet, evolutionary relationships, and non-masticatory functional constraints influence skull morphology. His work spans multiple continents with field sites in Wyoming (Eocene), Inner Mongolia (Neogene), Tibetan Plateau (Neogene), Mexico (Neogene), and southern China (Paleocene), allowing him to investigate large-scale evolutionary patterns across diverse ecosystems and time periods.

Analysis of Dr. Tseng's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on evolutionary biomechanics, particularly examining how feeding structures evolve in response to ecological pressures. His research spans multiple vertebrate groups including mammals, dinosaurs, and extinct carnivores, with particular emphasis on understanding convergent evolution, dietary specialization, and paleozoogeographic patterns. His work frequently bridges traditional paleontological approaches with advanced computational methods, demonstrating how functional morphology can illuminate evolutionary processes.

While specific individual awards for Dr. Tseng aren't detailed in the available materials, his laboratory has successfully secured funding that has supported researchers like Narimane, who received an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship to continue work in the FAVE Lab. Media coverage of his research in outlets including Forbes, CNN, Smithsonian Magazine, and National Geographic demonstrates the broader impact of his work.

The FAVE Laboratory maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing projects examining vertebrate evolution through functional morphology. The lab utilizes advanced technologies including CT scanning systems for virtual fossil analysis, as referenced in their research on bone-cracking dogs, saber-toothed cats, and ancient otters. Despite currently being at capacity and not accepting new PhD students, the laboratory continues to produce significant research that bridges paleontology, evolutionary biology, and biomechanics across multiple continents.