The evolution of long-necked dinosaurs of Africa before the Cenomanian-Turonian extinction

The overall research goal of this proposal is to develop a multidisciplinary study of the little known long-necked dinosaurs of North Africa using virtual paleontology techniques (developed in my PhD thesis) histological data on the fossil material, pneumatic apparatus reconstruction and phylogenetic analysis to understand the significance of a range of new species. The project will have a major impact in the fields of paleontology and biology, generating critical new data on the large terrestrial vertebrates of a major continent during a period of the Mesozoic that experienced sea level and temperature changes resulting in major extinctions. The fossil material comprises the single largest undescribed fauna from any major continent during the latter half of the Mesozoic. The high-profile scientific results to come from this research over two-years in the Department of Organismal Biology (University of Chicago), under the supervision of Prof. Sereno, will boost my academic profile and experience in the fields of paleontology and evolution, significantly increasing the chance to continue my career by leading a multidisciplinary and diverse research group in the field of paleobiology in Europe.