Science Portrait: Professor Maria Eithne McNamara

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Prof. Maria Eithne McNamara, Ph.D., Professor of Palaeontology, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. The picture was kindly provided by Prof. McNamara and modified from a picture by Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision.

This is a summary of the curriculum vitae (CV) of Prof. Maria Eithne McNamara, Ph.D., Professor of Palaeontology, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. Prof. McNamara is a geologist/paleontologist who specializes in the fossilization of soft tissues and seeks to understand the colors of prehistoric animals in bygone worlds. She will give a presentation at Fujita Health University.

Prof. McNamara was visiting Prof. Kazumasa Wakamatsu and Prof. Shosuke Ito of the Institute for Melanin Chemistry at Fujita Health University, with whom se collaborates (e.g., Nature Communications 2018 and 2023; PNAS 2019), when I met her. Talking with her, and besides her being a very kind person, it became immediately clear that she is “a real scientist” with a very sharp mind and a large passion and drive. Together with her love for the Irish landscape and its geological history, as well as for teaching, it is easy to see why she has been regularly featured in the common or scientific Press (e.g.: Maria McNamara: Shaking up science, rewriting history;  More Barney than Jurassic Park as Irish team discovers that dinosaurs were fluffy;  Irish scientist recreates fossil in full colour for the first time;  UCC researcher reveals mystery behind colours of 10m-year-old snake;  Scientists Use Faux Fossils to Learn How Insect Colors Evolved;  Maria McNamara on Seeing the Ancient World in Color) and was rewarded various very large (including multimillion-euro) projects (for research grants see [link]). In 2020, after 2015, Prof. McNamara became one of only a handful of Irish scientists to be awarded a second European Research Council grant, with the award of a European Research Council Consolidator Grant.

Her special research concerns the puzzle of deducing the colors of extinct animals by analyzing their fossils. Colors are an important part of animal behavior and communication. Colors are created by both chemical components (pigments, such as melanin, which can be made by specialized cells) and nanostructures, but both are susceptible to change during the long fossilization process. Prof. McNamara intensively uses the electron microscope and biochemistry to nevertheless deduce those past colors, and, to help with this deduction, also artificially creates “fossils” for understanding what happens to color structures during fossilization.

There are various nice videos about her and her work on internet, of which I here only provide links to two:

Talking about her passion and her work at University College Cork, 2021

Presentation at the Geological Society Library’s event 2017: The Colour of Fossils

There is also a very good Wikipedia page about her, to which I simply refer here instead of trying to repeat those contents. I just will highlight a few points of her career:

  • Not just a laboratory geologist. After getting her Master and Ph.D. degrees in geology (Earth Science) and a postdoc position, for one year (2008-2009) she became a Geopark Geologist (a kind of “geology ranger”) for the Geological Survey of Ireland at what are now called the Burren-Cliffs of Moher Global Geopark.
  • Publications in top-journals, including (for details see below): Nature ; Science, 2x; Nature Ecology and Evolution, 3x; Nature Communications, 3x; Trends in Ecology and Evolution ; PNAS.
  • Awards. Of the many Honours and Awards (see below), I will just highlight a few. In 2016 Prof. McNamara was selected as one of eight leading female Irish Scientists who were recipients of the European Research Council Starter Grants 2012 – 2015 and were chosen as representatives of a generation of outstanding young scientists and therefore, in honor, were painted by Blaise Smith (for Prof. McNamara’s reaction see [link]); the painting was exhibited at the United Nations headquarters and is now on permanent exhibition at the Royal Irish Academy. In both 2016 and 2019, Prof. McNamara was invited to meet the president of Ireland for a celebration of “Women in Science.” Amazing achievements are also that in 2023, from her university, she and her team received the “UCC’s Research Team of the Year Award” after in 2015 she received the “UCC Early Career Researcher of the year.” They also received recognition as “Start-up Laboratory of the Year” at the Irish Lab Awards 2019.

It will be a great privilege to hear Professor Macnamara explain to us about Fossils and the Evolution of Melanin at Fujita Health University!

 

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

PhD, 2007, ‘Comparative taphonomy of lacustrine-hosted exceptional faunas from the Miocene of NE Spain’. UCD School of Earth Sciences, University College Dublin.

BSc (Hons) Earth Science, 2002, 1:1, Dept. of Geology, National University of Ireland, Galway. Supported by a National University of Ireland scholarship.

 

EMPLOYMENT

2020: Full Professor, Professor of Palaeontology, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland

2020: Professor, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland

2016–2020: Senior Lecturer, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland

2013–2016: Lecturer in Geology, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, UCC

2012–2013: Postdoctoral researcher, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK

2009–2012: Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Yale University, USA

2008–2009: Geopark Geologist, Geological Survey of Ireland

2006–2008: IRCSET Postdoctoral Fellow, UCD School of Geological Sciences, University College Dublin

 

HONOURS AND AWARDS

2024:   Elected to the Royal Irish Academy.

2024:   Selected to participate in “The School of Hibernia”, a tableau of Ireland’s highest-achieving scholars, activists, artists and sports figures. Trinity College Dublin, 9/3/2024.

2024:   Top 10% most downloaded paper in Palaeontology for “Skin patterning and internal anatomy in a fossil moonfish from the Eocene Bolca Lagerstätte illuminate the ecology of ancient reef fish communities.”

2023:   Awarded UCC’s Research Team of the Year Award.

2023:   Nominated for the College of SEFS Citizenship Award 2023.

2021:   Nominated for the College of SEFS Student Nominated Staff Awards 2021.

2020:   Finalist, Research Laboratory of the Year at the Irish Lab Awards 2020.

2019:   Top 20 most cited paper in Palaeontology for ‘Experimental analysis of soft-tissue fossilization – opening the black box’ (published 2018).

2019:   Awarded Start-up Laboratory of the Year at the Irish Lab Awards 2019.

2019:   Finalist, Research Laboratory of the Year at the Irish Lab Awards 2019.

2019:   Invited to meet the President of Ireland, Dr Michael D. Higgins, at Áras an Uachtaráin for a celebration of ‘Women in Science’.

2019:   Selected to front UCC’s media campaign for Women in Science as part of International Women’s Day, via a photoshoot with my female students on the UCC homepage.

2018:   Selected to front UCC’s media campaign for Science Week via an online video on the UCC homepage.

2017:   Awarded the Paleonturology Award 2017 by the Fundacion Conjunto Paleontologico de Teruel – Dinopolis. Recognizes outstanding palaeontological research.

2016:   Selected to take part in the Royal Irish Academy ‘Women on Walls’ programme which seeks to honour leading Irish female scientists by commissioning a new portrait for permanent display at the Royal Irish Academy.

2016:   Invited to meet the President of Ireland, Dr Michael D. Higgins, at Áras an Uachtaráin for a celebration of ‘Women in Science’.

2014:   The Palaeontological Association Hodson Award for a significant contribution to palaeontology by an early career researcher.

2014:   UCC Early Career Researcher of the year.

2012:   Selected to host an exhibit, ‘Prehistoric colours in fossil insects and feathers’ at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, London.

2010:   PALAIOS ‘Best paper of 2009’ award for ‘Soft tissue preservation in Miocene frogs from Libros (Spain): Insights into the genesis of decay microenvironments.’

2009:   British Science Association Charles Lyell Award for science communication.

2005:   Palaeontological Association President’s Prize; 49th Annual Meeting of the Palaeontological Association, Oxford, UK.

2005:   Best oral presentation at the Irish Geological Research Meeting.

2003:   Palaeontological Association President’s Prize; 47th Annual Meeting of the Palaeontological Association, Leicester, UK.

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

JOURNAL ARTICLES [IF = Impact Factor; NC = Number of Citations; total currently = 1721; h-index = 24; citations in 2023 = 241]

  1. Slater, T.S., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., Zhang, F., Sjövall, P., Jarenmark, M., Lindgren, J., McNamara, M.E., 2023. Taphonomic experiments reveal authentic molecular signals for fossil melanins and verify preservation of phaeomelanin in fossils. Nature Communications, 14, 5651. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40570-w. [IF= 694, NC=0].
  2. Slater, T.S., Edwards, N.P., Webb, S.M., Zhang, F., McNamara, M.E., 2023. Preservation of corneous β-proteins in Mesozoic feathers. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 7, 1706-1713. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02177-8. [IF= 1 NC=0].
  3. Wang, S., McNamara, M.E., Wang, B., Hui, H., Jiang, B., 2023. The origins of colour patterns in fossil insects revealed by maturation experiments. Proceedings B, 290, 20231333. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.1333. [IF= 531, NC=0].
  4. Yang, Z., Jiang, B., Benton, M.J., Xu, X., McNamara, M.E., Hone, D.W.E., 2023. Allometric wing growth links parental care to pterosaur giantism. Proceedings B, 290, 20231102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.1102. [IF= 531, NC=0].
  5. Binner, H., Sullivan, T., Jansen, M.A.K., McNamara, M.E., 2022. Metals in urban soils of Europe: A systematic review. Science of the Total Environment, 854, 158734. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158734. [IF= 963, NC=0].
  6. Falk, D., Wings, O., McNamara, M.E., 2022. The skeletal taphonomy of anurans from the Eocene Geiseltal Konservat-Lagerstätte, Germany: insights into the controls on fossil anuran preservation. Papers in Palaeontology, 8, e1453. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.1453. [IF= 361, NC=0].
  7. Rossi, V., Unitt, R., McNamara, M., Zorzin, R., Carnevale, G., 2022. Skin patterning and internal anatomy in a fossil moonfish from the Eocene Bolca Lagerstätte illuminate the ecology of ancient reef fish communities. Palaeontology, 65, e12600. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12600. [IF=3.730, NC=0].
  8. Cincotta, A., Nicolaï, M., Nascimento Campos, H.B., McNamara, M., D’Alba, L., Shawkey, M.D., Kischlat, E.E., Yans, J., Carleer, R. Escuillié, F., Godefroit, P., 2022. Pterosaur melanosomes support signalling functions for early feathers. Nature, 604, 684-688. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04622-3. [IF=49.960, NC=1].
  9. Yang, Z., Benton, M.J., Hone, D.W.E., Xu, X., McNamara, M.E., Jiang, B., 2021. Allometric analysis sheds light on the systematics and ontogeny of anurognathid pterosaurs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, e2028796. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2021.2028796. [IF=2.19, NC=0].
  10. Rossi, V., Webb, S., McNamara, M.E., 2021. Maturation experiments reveal bias in the chemistry of fossil melanosomes. Geology 49, 784 – 788. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G48696.1. [IF=4.768, NC=0].
  11. Zhang, Y., Shih, P., Wang, J., McNamara, M.E., Shih, C., Ren, D., Taiping, G., 2021. Jurassic scorpionflies (Mecoptera) with swollen first metatarsal segments suggesting sexual dimorphism. BMC Ecology and Evolution 21, 47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-021-01771-3. [IF=3.045, NC=1].
  12. McNamara, M.E., Roulin, A.L., Rossi, V., Rogers, C.S., Slater, T.S., Dubey, S., Roulin, A., 2021. Decoding the evolution of melanin in vertebrates. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 36, 430-443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2020.12.012. [IF=14.764; NC=7].
  13. Rogers, C.S., Webb, S., McNamara, M.E., 2020. Synchrotron-X-ray fluorescence analysis reveals diagenetic alteration of fossil melanosome trace metal chemistry. Palaeontology 64, 63-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12506. [IF=730, NC=2].
  14. Yang, Z., Jiang, B., McNamara, M.E., Kearns, S.L., Pittman, M., Kaye, T.G., Orr, P.J., Xu, X., Benton, M.J., 2020. Reply to: ‘No protofeathers on pterosaurs’. Nature Ecology and Evolution 4, 1592-1593. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01309-8. [IF=12.541, NC=1].
  15. Rossi, V., Webb, S., McNamara, M.E., 2020. Hierarchical biota-level and taxonomic controls on the chemistry of fossil melanosomes revealed using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence. Scientific Reports 10, 8970. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65868-3. [IF=3.998, NC=5].
  16. McDonald, L., Saranathan, V., Narayanan, S., Sandy, A., McNamara, M.E., 2020. Brilliant angle-independent structural colours preserved in weevil scales from the Swiss Pleistocene. Biology Letters 16, 20200063. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0063. [IF=3.323; NC=2].
  17. Tian, Q., Wang, S., Yang, Z., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Jiang, B., 2020. Experimental investigation of insect deposition in lentic environments and implications for formation of insect Konservat-Lagerstätten. Palaeontology 63, 565-578. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12472. [IF=3.730, NC=1].
  18. Rogers, C.S., Astrop, T.I.A., McNamara, M.E., Webb, S., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Synchrotron-X-ray absorption spectroscopy of melanosomes in vertebrates and cephalopods: implications for the affinity of Tullimonstrum. Proceedings B 286, 20191649. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1649. [IF=4.847; NC=7].
  19. Slater, T.S., McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Foley, T.B., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Taphonomic experiments reveal controls on preservation of melanosomes and keratinous tissues in feathers. Palaeontology 63, 103-115. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12445. [IF=3.730; NC=11].
  20. Rossi, V., McNamara, M.E., Webb, S., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Tissue-specific geometry and chemistry of modern and fossilized melanosomes reveal internal anatomy of extinct vertebrates. PNAS 116, 17880-17889. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1820285116. [IF=9.412; NC=16].
  21. Benton, M.J., Dhouailly, D., Jiang, B., McNamara, M., 2019. The early origin of feathers. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 34, 856-869. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2019.04.018. [IF=14.764; NC=26].
  22. Yang, Z.X., Jiang, B.Y., McNamara, M.E., Kearns, S.L., Pittman, M., Kaye, T.G., Orr, P.J., Xu, X., Benton, M.J., 2019. Pterosaur integumentary structures with complex feather-like branching. Nature Ecology and Evolution 3, 24-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-018-0728-7. [IF=12.541, NC=54].
  23. Yang, Z., Wang, S., Tian, Q., Wang, B., Hethke, M., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Xu, X., Jiang, B., 2019. Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and biostratinomic analysis of the Jurassic Yanliao Lagerstätte in northeastern China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 514, 739-753. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2018.09.030. [IF=2.833, NC=7].
  24. Odin, G., McNamara, M.E., Arwin, H., Järrendhal, K., 2018. Experimental degradation of helicoidal photonic nanostructures in scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): implications for the identification of circularly polarizing cuticle in the fossil record. Journal of The Royal Society Interface 15, 20180560. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2018.0560. [IF=3.748, NC=4].
  25. McNamara, M.E., Zhang, F., Kearns, S.L., Orr, P.J., Toulouse, A., Foley, T., Hone, D.W.E., Rogers, C.S., Benton, M.J., Johnson, D., Xu, X., Zhou, Z., 2018. Fossilized skin reveals coevolution of skin, feathers and metabolism in feathered dinosaurs and early birds. Nature Communications 9, 2072. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04443-x. [IF=12.121, NC=22].
  26. McNamara, M.E., Kaye, J.S., Benton, M.J., Orr, P.J., Rossi, V., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2018. Non-integumentary melanosomes bias reconstructions of the colours of fossil vertebrate skin. Nature Communications, 9, 2878. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05148-x. [IF=12.121, NC=23].
  27. Zhang, Q., Mey, W., Ansorge, J., Starkey, T.A., McDonald, L.T., McNamara, M.E., et al., 2018. Fossil scales illuminate the early evolution of lepidopterans and structural colors. Science Advances 4, e1700988. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700988. [IF=13.116, NC=20].
  28. Purnell, M.A., Donoghue, P.J.C., Gabbott, S.E., McNamara, M.E., Murdock, D.J.E., Sansom, R.S., 2018. Experimental analysis of soft-tissue fossilization – opening the black box. Palaeontology 61, 317-323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12360. [IF=3.730, NC=37].
  29. Muscente, A.D., Schiffbauer, J.D., Broce, J., Laflamme, M., O’Donnell, K., Boag, T.H., Meyer, M., Hawkds, A.D., Warren Huntley, J.W., McNamara, M.E., et al., 2017. Exceptionally preserved fossil assemblages through geologic time and space. Gondwana Research 48, 164-188. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2017.04.020. [IF=8.122, NC=76].
  30. Orr, P.J., Adler, L.B., Beardmore, S.R., Furrer, H., McNamara, M.E., Peñalver-Mollá, E., Redelstorff, R., 2016. Stick ‘n’ peel”: explaining unusual patterns of disarticulation and loss of completeness in fossil vertebrates. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 457, 380-388. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.05.024. [IF=2.833, NC=12].
  31. McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2016. Reconstructing carotenoid-based and structural coloration in fossil skin. Current Biology 26, 1075-1082. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.02.038. [IF=9.601, NC=23].
  32. McNamara, M.E., van Dongen, B.E., Lockyer, N.P., Bull, I.D., Orr, P.J., 2016. Fossilization of melanosomes via sulfurization. Palaeontology 59, 337-350. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12238. [IF=3.730, NC=51].
  33. Rogers, C.S., Hone, D.W., McNamara, M.E., Zhao, Q., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S.K., Benton, M.J., 2015. The Chinese Pompeii? Death and destruction of dinosaurs in the Early Cretaceous of Lujiatun, NE China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 427, 89-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.03.037. [IF=2.833, NC=15].
  34. McNamara, E., Saranathan, V., Locatelli, E.R., Noh, H., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Cao, H., 2014. Cryptic iridescence in a fossil weevil generated by single diamond photonic crystals. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 11, 20140736. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.0736. [IF=3.748; NC=18].
  35. Godefroit, P., Sinitsa, S.M., Dhouailly, D., Bolotsky, Y.L., Sizov, A.V., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Spagna, P., 2014. A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales. Science 345, 451-455. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1253351. [IF=41.845, NC=146].
  36. Godefroit, P., Sinitsa, S.M., Dhouailly, D., Bolotsky, Y.L., Sizov, A.V., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Spagna, P., 2014. Response to Comment on ‘A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales’. Science 346, 434-435. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260146. [IF=41.845; NC=5].
  37. Anderson, R.P., McCoy, V.E., McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., 2014. What big eyes you have: the ecological role of giant pterygotid eurypterids. Biology Letters 10, 2040412. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0412. [IF=3.323; NC=35].
  38. McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J. Gupta, N.S., Locatelli, E.R., Qiu, L., Yang, H., Wang, Z., Noh, N., Cao, H., 2013. The fossil record of insect color illuminated by maturation experiments. Geology 47, 487-490. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G33836.1. [IF=4.768; NC=32].
  39. McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J.O., Field, D., Wang, Z., 2013. Experimental maturation of feathers: implications for reconstructions of fossil feather colour. Biology Letters 9, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0184. [IF=3.323; NC=79].
  40. McNamara, M.E., The taphonomy of colour in fossil insects and feathers. Palaeontology, 56, 557-575. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12044. [IF=3.730, NC=42].
  41. McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Noh, H., Cao, H., 2012. The original colours of fossil beetles. Proceedings B 279, 1114 – 1121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2011.1677. [IF=4.847, NC=56].
  42. McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., 2012. The controls on the preservation of structural color in fossil insects. Palaios 27, 443-454. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2012.p12-027r. [IF=1.60; NC=20].
  43. McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2012. What controls the taphonomy of exceptionally preserved taxa – environment or biology? A case study using exceptionally preserved frogs from the Miocene Libros Konservat-Lagerstätte, Spain. Palaios 27, 63-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2010.p10-126r. [IF=1.60; NC=25].
  44. McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Manzocchi, T., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2011. Biological controls upon the physical taphonomy of exceptionally preserved salamanders from the Miocene of Rubielos de Mora, northeast Spain. Lethaia 45, 210-226. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.2011.00274.x. IF=1.454, NC=15].
  45. McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Wedmann, S., Noh, H., Cao, H., 2011. Fossilized biophotonic nanostructures reveal the original colors of 47 million-year-old moths. PLoS Biology 9, e1001200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001200. [IF=7.076; NC=58].
  46. McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2010. Organic preservation of fossil musculature with ultracellular detail. Proceedings B 277, 423-427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.1378. [IF=4.847, NC=41].
  47. McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2009. Exceptionally preserved tadpoles from the Miocene of Libros, Spain: Ecomorphological reconstruction and the impact of ontogeny upon taphonomy. Lethaia 43, 290-306. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.2009.00192.x. [IF=1.454, NC=28].
  48. McNamara, M.E., Orr, P. J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2009. Soft tissue preservation in Miocene frogs from Libros (Spain): Insights into the genesis of decay microenvironments. Palaios 24, 104-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2008.p08-017r. [IF=1.60; NC=80].
  49. McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2006. High fidelity preservation of bone marrow in c. 10-million-year-old amphibians. Geology 34, 641-644. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22526.1. [IF=4.768; NC=67].

 

PUBLICATIONS IN PRESS

  1. Falk, D., Wings, O., Unitt, R., Wade, J., McNamara, M.E. Fossilized anuran soft tissues reveal a new taphonomic model for the Eocene Geiseltal Konservat-Lagerstatte, Germany. Scientific Reports.
  2. Binner, H., Andrade, L., McNamara, M.E. (2024). Assessing synergies between soil research in the Republic of Ireland and European Union policies, Environmental Challenges 100881, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2024.100881.

 

NON-PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

  1. Slater, T.S., McNamara, M.E., 2023. Jurassic Park: why we’re still struggling to realise it 30 years on. The Conversation. Published 16/11/2023. https://theconversation.com/jurassic-park-why-were-still-struggling-to-realise-it-30-years-on-215278.
  2. McNamara, M., Binner, H., Hynes, E., Andrade, L., 2022. Evidence Synthesis Report 1: A Signpost for Soil Policy in Ireland. MUCKISOILS (Mapping Understanding and Current Knowledge of Irish Soils), EPA Research Programme 2021-2030. https://www.epa.ie/publications/research/evidence-synthesis-reports/evidence-synthesis-report-1–a-signpost-for-soil-policy-in-ireland.php.
  3. McNamara, M.E., Slater, T.S., Rossi, V., Prehistoric pigments reveal how melanin has shaped bird and mammal evolution. The Conversation. Published 9/2/2021. https://theconversation.com/prehistoric-pigments-reveal-how-melanin-has-shaped-bird-and-mammal-evolution-154899.
  4. McNamara, M.E., Yang, X., 2020. The mystery of feather origins: how fluffy pterosaurs have reignited debate. The Conversation. Published 5/11/2020. https://theconversation.com/the-mystery-of-feather-origins-how-fluffy-pterosaurs-have-reignited-debate-149119.
  5. McNamara, M.E., McDonald, L., 2020. How did insects get their colours? Crystal-covered beetle discovery sheds light. The Conversation. Published 16/4/2020. https://theconversation.com/how-did-insects-get-their-colours-crystal-covered-beetle-discovery-sheds-light-136411.
  6. McNamara, M.E., 2020. 9 myths about dinosaurs. RTÉ Brainstorm. Published 10/5/2020. https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0309/1121174-dinosaur-myths/.

 

BOOK CHAPTERS

  1. McNamara, M.E. and Doyle, E., 2021. The Burren: a model for sustainable tourism. In: DeVoy, R., Cummins, V., Brunt, B., Bartlett, D., Kandrot, S. (Eds.), A Coastal Atlas of Ireland. Cork University Press. pp. 674-678.
  2. Godefroit, P., Sinitsa, S.M., Cincotta, A., McNamara, M.E., Reshetova, S.A., Dhouailly, D., 2020. Integumentary structures in Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus, a basal neornithischian dinosaur from the Jurassic of Siberia. In: Foth, C., Rauhut, O.W.M. (Eds.), The Evolution of Feathers: from their Origin to the Present. Springer. pp. 47-65.
  3. McNamara, M.E. The Libros biota. In: Alcalá, L., Calvo J.P., Simón, J.L. (Eds.), Geología de Teruel. Instituto de Estudios Turolenses.

 

BOOKS

  1. McNamara, M.E. Fossilization of melanosomes via sulfurization. Instituto de Estudios Turolenses, 65 pp.

 

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