معرفی
Juan Benito Moreno is a Henslow Fellow and UKRI-funded Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, and a Junior Research Fellow at Lucy Cavendish College. His research centers on reconstructing the evolutionary origins of modern birds through integration of fossil evidence and extant biodiversity, with particular focus on morphological transitions across the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction boundary.
His academic journey includes a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Barcelona, a Master's degree in Palaeontology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and a PhD from the University of Bath focused on morphological transitions between modern birds and their extinct relatives.
Dr. Moreno's research spans Paleontology, Evolutionary Biology, and Ornithology, employing comparative anatomy, phylogenetic inference, and high-resolution 3D computed tomography to investigate deep-time morphological evolution. His work specifically addresses how ecological factors and mass extinctions shaped avian body plans from the Cretaceous through the explosive radiation of modern bird lineages.
Analysis of his publications reveals a dominant focus on Cretaceous bird fossils, particularly Ichthyornis, utilizing new specimens and advanced imaging to reconstruct postcranial morphology, locomotor adaptations, and phylogenetic relationships. Key trends include the application of topology-based 3D reconstruction to taphonomic studies and the integration of skeletal proportions with ecological modeling.
His scientific recognition includes:
- Henslow Fellowship
- UKRI Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
- Junior Research Fellowship at Lucy Cavendish College
Dr. Moreno has secured substantial research funding through UKRI and Cambridge fellowships, enabling his work on fossil bird morphology. While no formal advisees are documented, he maintains extensive international collaborations evident in co-authored publications with leading institutions. His outreach contributions include authoring the field-guide "Birds of the Mesozoic" (Lynx Edicions, 2022), which translates complex paleontological discoveries for public audiences.
