Articles for author: Awais Khan

Kristina Curry Rogers

Kristina Curry Rogers and the Hunt for Madagascan Sauropods

Dr. Kristina Curry Rogers has emerged as one of paleontology’s most prominent figures, particularly renowned for her groundbreaking discoveries of sauropod dinosaurs in Madagascar. As a vertebrate paleontologist specializing in dinosaur biology and evolution, her work has revolutionized our understanding of titanosaur sauropods and dinosaur growth patterns. Throughout her career spanning over two decades, Curry ...

Peter Larson

Dr. Peter Larson and the Epic Battle Over Sue the T-Rex

In the summer of 1990, a discovery in the badlands of South Dakota would ignite one of the most contentious legal battles in paleontological history. The unearthing of “Sue,” the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found, marked the beginning of a decade-long saga that would forever change the landscape of fossil collection ...

Dinosaurs roam a lush forest with ferns and tall trees. A large carnivore approaches a smaller group, creating a tense, prehistoric scene.

Pachyrhinosaurus: The Hornless Ceratopsian With a Giant Nose Bump

Pachyrhinosaurus, meaning “thick-nosed lizard,” stands as one of the most distinctive members of the ceratopsian dinosaur family. Unlike its more famous cousin, the Triceratops, this herbivorous dinosaur lacked the prominent facial horns that characterized many ceratopsians. Instead, Pachyrhinosaurus sported a massive, bony pad on its nose called a nasal boss, creating a unique profile that ...

Jingmai O'Connor

Meet Jingmai O’Connor: Pushing the Boundaries of Bird-Dino Research

In the fascinating realm where paleontology intersects with evolutionary biology, Dr. Jingmai O’Connor stands as a formidable pioneer, reshaping our understanding of the intricate relationship between dinosaurs and birds. With her groundbreaking research on feathered dinosaurs and early avian evolution, O’Connor has emerged as one of the most influential and innovative scientists in her field. ...

Dr. Steve Brusatte

Meet Dr. Steve Brusatte: Storyteller of Dinosaur Evolution

In the vast landscape of paleontology, few scientists have managed to bridge the gap between rigorous academic research and public engagement as effectively as Dr. Steve Brusatte. An American paleontologist and evolutionary biologist currently based at the University of Edinburgh, Brusatte has emerged as one of the leading voices in dinosaur science. His ability to ...

Fossil of a bird-like dinosaur, with outstretched wings and visible skeletal details, preserved in beige rock, conveying a sense of ancient history.

How Do Paleontologists Study Dinosaur Behavior from Fossils?

Unlocking the secrets of dinosaur behavior is like assembling a complex puzzle with many missing pieces. Paleontologists face the remarkable challenge of understanding how creatures behaved millions of years ago, with only their fossilized remains as evidence. Despite these limitations, scientific ingenuity and advancing technology have enabled researchers to develop sophisticated techniques for interpreting dinosaur ...

Close-up of a dark, serrated dinosaur tooth embedded in a textured beige rock. The sharpness and detail convey a sense of ancient history and discovery.

Why Some Scientists Think the Dinosaur Age Never Ended

When we think of dinosaurs, our minds typically conjure images of massive, scaly creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago, only to be wiped out by a catastrophic asteroid impact. This conventional narrative has shaped our understanding of Earth’s history for generations, clearly dividing time into the “Age of Dinosaurs” and the time ...

The Mammal That Lived Alongside the Dinosaurs A Shocking Discovery

Were Early Mammals More Responsible for Dinosaur Extinctions Than We Think?

For decades, the prevailing theory about dinosaur extinction has centered on a catastrophic asteroid impact approximately 66 million years ago. This event, known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction, wiped out approximately 75% of all species on Earth, including the non-avian dinosaurs that had dominated terrestrial ecosystems for over 160 million years. However, recent paleontological discoveries ...

The Late Jurassic ecosystem included fearsome predators

Were Some Dinosaurs Pack Hunters or Just Opportunists?

The hunting behaviors of dinosaurs have fascinated paleontologists and the public alike for generations. Among the most compelling questions is whether certain dinosaur species engaged in coordinated pack hunting, similar to modern wolves or lions, or if they were merely opportunistic feeders that gathered around carcasses. Recent fossil discoveries and advanced analytical techniques have begun ...