Jingmai O’Connor

Dr. Jingmai O’Connor is an esteemed paleontologist and associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum in Chicago. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of avian evolution, particularly through her work on Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird. Her recent research involves groundbreaking discoveries, including the identification of the first flight feathers in an Archaeopteryx specimen, providing crucial insights into the transition from dinosaurs to modern birds. O’Connor’s work highlights the intricate relationship between morphology, behavior, and evolution in the history of life on Earth.