Dr Valentina Rossi
@she-paleo.bsky.social
⛏Palaeontologist |🔬Fossil Pigments | 🎙️TEDxBolca‘22 speaker |🤸🏻♀️Gymnast | 📍Cork
#scicomm Instragram @she_paleo
#scicomm Instragram @she_paleo
Pinned
Hi! I’m Valentina and I’m a palaeontologist that studies fossils at the molecular level. My work focuses primarily on the study of melanin pigments in a variaty of fossil organisms (🐦⬛🐝🕷️🦑🐠🪼🍄🟫🌾) using powerful X-Rays machines and lasers 🩻☢️.
#intro #womeninstem #paleontology
#intro #womeninstem #paleontology
New paper #alert
It’s all about melanin 🙌 and it stems one of the biggest discussion and collaboration I’ve ever been part of.
Thank you to all the coauthors and melanin experts for this incredible project.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
#melanin #technology #palaentology #stem
It’s all about melanin 🙌 and it stems one of the biggest discussion and collaboration I’ve ever been part of.
Thank you to all the coauthors and melanin experts for this incredible project.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
#melanin #technology #palaentology #stem
November 19, 2025 at 2:59 PM
New paper #alert
It’s all about melanin 🙌 and it stems one of the biggest discussion and collaboration I’ve ever been part of.
Thank you to all the coauthors and melanin experts for this incredible project.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
#melanin #technology #palaentology #stem
It’s all about melanin 🙌 and it stems one of the biggest discussion and collaboration I’ve ever been part of.
Thank you to all the coauthors and melanin experts for this incredible project.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
#melanin #technology #palaentology #stem
A week of talks about synchrotron applications, art, archeology & palaeontology!!!
Incredible venue at @gettymuseum.bsky.social and amazing new and old colleagues 🔝
Thank you to the NSF SEES scholarship that enabled me to present my latest work on 300 Ma fossils 🙏
#womeninsteam #palaeontology
Incredible venue at @gettymuseum.bsky.social and amazing new and old colleagues 🔝
Thank you to the NSF SEES scholarship that enabled me to present my latest work on 300 Ma fossils 🙏
#womeninsteam #palaeontology
October 9, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A week of talks about synchrotron applications, art, archeology & palaeontology!!!
Incredible venue at @gettymuseum.bsky.social and amazing new and old colleagues 🔝
Thank you to the NSF SEES scholarship that enabled me to present my latest work on 300 Ma fossils 🙏
#womeninsteam #palaeontology
Incredible venue at @gettymuseum.bsky.social and amazing new and old colleagues 🔝
Thank you to the NSF SEES scholarship that enabled me to present my latest work on 300 Ma fossils 🙏
#womeninsteam #palaeontology
If you are in Cork the 24th of September don’t miss out on this free talk organized by the Cork Geological Association.
We’ll explore the world of fossil forgeries, their history and how modern palaeontology can help unmask them.
The event is free and open to ALL 😊
@ucc.ie
#palaeontology #stem
We’ll explore the world of fossil forgeries, their history and how modern palaeontology can help unmask them.
The event is free and open to ALL 😊
@ucc.ie
#palaeontology #stem
September 2, 2025 at 10:18 AM
If you are in Cork the 24th of September don’t miss out on this free talk organized by the Cork Geological Association.
We’ll explore the world of fossil forgeries, their history and how modern palaeontology can help unmask them.
The event is free and open to ALL 😊
@ucc.ie
#palaeontology #stem
We’ll explore the world of fossil forgeries, their history and how modern palaeontology can help unmask them.
The event is free and open to ALL 😊
@ucc.ie
#palaeontology #stem
Our Short Course in Analytical Palaeontology 2025 is open for registration y’all!!
This is an intensive 5-day course in analytical palaeontology for researchers at any career stage.
Info&Registration 👇
www.ucc.ie/en/microbeam...
@ucc.ie
#stem #palaeontology #taphonomy
This is an intensive 5-day course in analytical palaeontology for researchers at any career stage.
Info&Registration 👇
www.ucc.ie/en/microbeam...
@ucc.ie
#stem #palaeontology #taphonomy
August 29, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Our Short Course in Analytical Palaeontology 2025 is open for registration y’all!!
This is an intensive 5-day course in analytical palaeontology for researchers at any career stage.
Info&Registration 👇
www.ucc.ie/en/microbeam...
@ucc.ie
#stem #palaeontology #taphonomy
This is an intensive 5-day course in analytical palaeontology for researchers at any career stage.
Info&Registration 👇
www.ucc.ie/en/microbeam...
@ucc.ie
#stem #palaeontology #taphonomy
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
Here it is! Please welcome the AMAZING Mirasaura grauvogeli, a NEW MARVELOUS Drepanosaur published in NATURE today!
This astonishing reptile lived during the Middle Triassic in Europe and it possessed an amazing crest made of plume-like structures!
I was commissioned to bring it to life
#paleoart
This astonishing reptile lived during the Middle Triassic in Europe and it possessed an amazing crest made of plume-like structures!
I was commissioned to bring it to life
#paleoart
July 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Here it is! Please welcome the AMAZING Mirasaura grauvogeli, a NEW MARVELOUS Drepanosaur published in NATURE today!
This astonishing reptile lived during the Middle Triassic in Europe and it possessed an amazing crest made of plume-like structures!
I was commissioned to bring it to life
#paleoart
This astonishing reptile lived during the Middle Triassic in Europe and it possessed an amazing crest made of plume-like structures!
I was commissioned to bring it to life
#paleoart
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
Proud to make my National Geographic debut with this incredible discovery! Meet Mirasaura, an extremely weird little guy with independently-evolved "feathers" that solves a longstanding Triassic mystery and makes one of the period's oddest families even stranger.
(Now with a fixed link!)
(Now with a fixed link!)
Is it a bird? A monkey? No, it's a 'miraculous' new prehistoric reptile
Mirasaura grauvogeli had a featherlike crest and a tail like a monkey. “It's been a long time since I've been so blown away by a new fossil discovery.”
www.nationalgeographic.com
July 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Proud to make my National Geographic debut with this incredible discovery! Meet Mirasaura, an extremely weird little guy with independently-evolved "feathers" that solves a longstanding Triassic mystery and makes one of the period's oddest families even stranger.
(Now with a fixed link!)
(Now with a fixed link!)
If you want to know more check out the video about #mirasaura with expert @stephanspiekman.bsky.social
Also, here is a video of me by @smnstuttgart.bsky.social explaining more about Mirasaura!
youtu.be/6RcsTRDNY6A
youtu.be/6RcsTRDNY6A
July 23, 2025 at 4:42 PM
If you want to know more check out the video about #mirasaura with expert @stephanspiekman.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
Analyses with @ucc.ie detected melanosomes within the crest's soft tissues. These resemble those in modern feathers more than those in reptilian skin or mammalian hair. This suggests the crest of #Mirasaura may have been pigmented and displayed visually 🌈 #FossilMelanosomes @she-paleo.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Analyses with @ucc.ie detected melanosomes within the crest's soft tissues. These resemble those in modern feathers more than those in reptilian skin or mammalian hair. This suggests the crest of #Mirasaura may have been pigmented and displayed visually 🌈 #FossilMelanosomes @she-paleo.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
🚨 So excited to finally share an incredible discovery from the #Triassic, Grès à Voltzia! Our international team, led by @stephanspiekman.bsky.social and published today in @nature.com, reveals a new reptile, #Mirasaura grauvogeli, donning an elaborate crest 🦎🔬✨
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
July 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🚨 So excited to finally share an incredible discovery from the #Triassic, Grès à Voltzia! Our international team, led by @stephanspiekman.bsky.social and published today in @nature.com, reveals a new reptile, #Mirasaura grauvogeli, donning an elaborate crest 🦎🔬✨
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Meet this marvelous fossil reptile from the Triassic that is challenging our current understanding of skin evolution!
@stephanspiekman.bsky.social @orlabe.bsky.social what an amazing journey and discovery!! What a great team! 🥳
@nature.com
#softtissues #triassic #reptiles
@stephanspiekman.bsky.social @orlabe.bsky.social what an amazing journey and discovery!! What a great team! 🥳
@nature.com
#softtissues #triassic #reptiles
July 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Meet this marvelous fossil reptile from the Triassic that is challenging our current understanding of skin evolution!
@stephanspiekman.bsky.social @orlabe.bsky.social what an amazing journey and discovery!! What a great team! 🥳
@nature.com
#softtissues #triassic #reptiles
@stephanspiekman.bsky.social @orlabe.bsky.social what an amazing journey and discovery!! What a great team! 🥳
@nature.com
#softtissues #triassic #reptiles
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
I am proud and grateful to present a dream project today in @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Meet #Mirasaura grauvogeli, a #wonderreptilewith skin appendages that rival feathers and hairs, challenging our view of reptile #evolution🪶🦎
Meet #Mirasaura grauvogeli, a #wonderreptilewith skin appendages that rival feathers and hairs, challenging our view of reptile #evolution🪶🦎
July 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I am proud and grateful to present a dream project today in @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Meet #Mirasaura grauvogeli, a #wonderreptilewith skin appendages that rival feathers and hairs, challenging our view of reptile #evolution🪶🦎
Meet #Mirasaura grauvogeli, a #wonderreptilewith skin appendages that rival feathers and hairs, challenging our view of reptile #evolution🪶🦎
Incoming new short course in analytical palaeontology in Cork @ucc.ie
👩🏼💻 Are you working in taphonomy and/or soft tissue preservation? Would you like to expand your skills? This week-long course is for you!
You can bring your own samples!
#paleontology #stem #learning
👩🏼💻 Are you working in taphonomy and/or soft tissue preservation? Would you like to expand your skills? This week-long course is for you!
You can bring your own samples!
#paleontology #stem #learning
June 20, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Incoming new short course in analytical palaeontology in Cork @ucc.ie
👩🏼💻 Are you working in taphonomy and/or soft tissue preservation? Would you like to expand your skills? This week-long course is for you!
You can bring your own samples!
#paleontology #stem #learning
👩🏼💻 Are you working in taphonomy and/or soft tissue preservation? Would you like to expand your skills? This week-long course is for you!
You can bring your own samples!
#paleontology #stem #learning
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
📚 Also on The Conversation for a #scicomm breakdown: theconversation.com/how-pterosau...
How pterosaurs learned to fly: scientists have been looking in the wrong place to solve this mystery
New findings may have solved the debate around why scientists have never found the missing link between dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
theconversation.com
June 18, 2025 at 9:56 AM
📚 Also on The Conversation for a #scicomm breakdown: theconversation.com/how-pterosau...
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
[1/n] New paper co-lead by @emmadnn.bsky.social @macroecoevoale.bsky.social and I: we combined fossil occurrences, biogeography and climate modelling to investigate the origins and early evolution of pterosaurs 🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
June 18, 2025 at 9:56 AM
[1/n] New paper co-lead by @emmadnn.bsky.social @macroecoevoale.bsky.social and I: we combined fossil occurrences, biogeography and climate modelling to investigate the origins and early evolution of pterosaurs 🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Thrilled to have been awarded the Prof. Adrian Dixon 180 UCC PostDoc of the Year Award!
@ucc.ie @uccresearch.bsky.social
@uccinnovation.bsky.social
#research&innovation #palaeontology #womeninstem
@ucc.ie @uccresearch.bsky.social
@uccinnovation.bsky.social
#research&innovation #palaeontology #womeninstem
May 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Thrilled to have been awarded the Prof. Adrian Dixon 180 UCC PostDoc of the Year Award!
@ucc.ie @uccresearch.bsky.social
@uccinnovation.bsky.social
#research&innovation #palaeontology #womeninstem
@ucc.ie @uccresearch.bsky.social
@uccinnovation.bsky.social
#research&innovation #palaeontology #womeninstem
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
Super interesting paper outlining the damaging impact of the 'Gollum effect': researchers who restrict access to resources.
Very relevant to palaeo work regarding the gatekeeping of collection material and the harm this causes to science. Worth a read!
www.cell.com/one-earth/fu...
Very relevant to palaeo work regarding the gatekeeping of collection material and the harm this causes to science. Worth a read!
www.cell.com/one-earth/fu...
May 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Super interesting paper outlining the damaging impact of the 'Gollum effect': researchers who restrict access to resources.
Very relevant to palaeo work regarding the gatekeeping of collection material and the harm this causes to science. Worth a read!
www.cell.com/one-earth/fu...
Very relevant to palaeo work regarding the gatekeeping of collection material and the harm this causes to science. Worth a read!
www.cell.com/one-earth/fu...
Sharing the latest gossip about #fossils & #volcanoes during this week @pintofscienceie.bsky.social #pint25 #scicomm
What a great night 🔝
What a great night 🔝
May 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Sharing the latest gossip about #fossils & #volcanoes during this week @pintofscienceie.bsky.social #pint25 #scicomm
What a great night 🔝
What a great night 🔝
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
May 16, 2025 at 7:39 AM
I’m soooo excited for this year @pintofscienceie.bsky.social where I’ll be a speaker presenting the incredible story of an iconic fossil from Italy 🤩
Book your free ticket: pintofscience.ie/event/hidden...
Book your free ticket: pintofscience.ie/event/hidden...
May 1, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I’m soooo excited for this year @pintofscienceie.bsky.social where I’ll be a speaker presenting the incredible story of an iconic fossil from Italy 🤩
Book your free ticket: pintofscience.ie/event/hidden...
Book your free ticket: pintofscience.ie/event/hidden...
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
Abstract submission is now open for #2025SVP in Birmingham! Deadline is June 3rd & all key information is here:
vertpaleo.org/abstract-sub...
vertpaleo.org/abstract-sub...
April 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Abstract submission is now open for #2025SVP in Birmingham! Deadline is June 3rd & all key information is here:
vertpaleo.org/abstract-sub...
vertpaleo.org/abstract-sub...
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
A 30,000-year-old feather fossil is the first soft tissue known to have been mineralized by zeolites.
Comments from @she-paleo.bsky.social @ucc.ie and Mary Schweitzer at North Carolina State University.
eos.org/articles/a-3...
Comments from @she-paleo.bsky.social @ucc.ie and Mary Schweitzer at North Carolina State University.
eos.org/articles/a-3...
A 30,000-Year-Old Feather Is a First-of-Its-Kind Fossil - Eos
A new analysis of a fossil found in 1889 has unveiled the presence of zeolites—and an entirely new mineralization method.
eos.org
April 9, 2025 at 2:50 PM
A 30,000-year-old feather fossil is the first soft tissue known to have been mineralized by zeolites.
Comments from @she-paleo.bsky.social @ucc.ie and Mary Schweitzer at North Carolina State University.
eos.org/articles/a-3...
Comments from @she-paleo.bsky.social @ucc.ie and Mary Schweitzer at North Carolina State University.
eos.org/articles/a-3...
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
🐟 A new study shines a light on the mechanics of bioluminescence in the rare fish 𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘴 and we explore some of the other fish lighting up the deep: bit.ly/LightsBelow @realfishdoc.bsky.social
April 7, 2025 at 6:07 PM
🐟 A new study shines a light on the mechanics of bioluminescence in the rare fish 𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘴 and we explore some of the other fish lighting up the deep: bit.ly/LightsBelow @realfishdoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
Opportunity for women students in paleontology! The Winifred Goldring Award will be presented to three women graduate students and the AWG Undergraduate Paleontology Award will be presented to a student pursuing a career in paleontology. Due April 30th. More information here: tinyurl.com/msdc3m68
April 7, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Opportunity for women students in paleontology! The Winifred Goldring Award will be presented to three women graduate students and the AWG Undergraduate Paleontology Award will be presented to a student pursuing a career in paleontology. Due April 30th. More information here: tinyurl.com/msdc3m68
Reposted by Dr Valentina Rossi
I’m over the Moon 🌝 this #fossilfriday to see that one of my papers made it to the front cover of @jaas.rsc.org @sgn.one @tuda.bsky.social @uccresearch.bsky.social @ucc.ie
The image shows a new specimen of an extinct species possible related to extant nightjars.
©️ Anika Vogel, Marco Colombo
The image shows a new specimen of an extinct species possible related to extant nightjars.
©️ Anika Vogel, Marco Colombo
April 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I’m over the Moon 🌝 this #fossilfriday to see that one of my papers made it to the front cover of @jaas.rsc.org @sgn.one @tuda.bsky.social @uccresearch.bsky.social @ucc.ie
The image shows a new specimen of an extinct species possible related to extant nightjars.
©️ Anika Vogel, Marco Colombo
The image shows a new specimen of an extinct species possible related to extant nightjars.
©️ Anika Vogel, Marco Colombo