description Jingmai O'Connor Overview
Jingmai O'Connor is a paleontologist specializing in the evolution of Cretaceous birds, particularly the enantiornithines. She was a curator at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago before joining the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing. Her research focuses on the fossil remains found in the Jehol Biota of China, which provide critical insights into early avian development. O'Connor is also recognized for her efforts in science communication and public outreach.
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What does Jingmai O'Connor study?
Jingmai O'Connor studies the evolution of Cretaceous birds, especially enantiornithines, and the transition from dinosaurs to modern birds. Her work also covers feather function, flight, breathing, reproduction, and fossilized soft tissues, according to her [Field Museum profile](https://www.fieldmuseum.org/about/staff/profile/jingmai-o-connor).
Where has Jingmai O'Connor worked?
She is the Field Museum's Associate Curator of Fossil Reptiles in Chicago. Before moving to the United States, she worked for more than 10 years at Beijing's Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology.
What are enantiornithines?
Enantiornithines were an extinct group of birds that lived during the Cretaceous Period. O'Connor uses their fossils to study how early birds flew, reproduced, and adapted to different environments.
What books or awards are associated with Jingmai O'Connor?
The Paleontological Society gave O'Connor its Schuchert Award in 2019 for promising work by a younger paleontologist. She also wrote the children's book When Dinosaurs Conquered the Skies and has described more than 45 new species.
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