Dr Valentina Rossi
Biography
I am a post-doctoral researcher in palaeobiology working on the preservation of pigments and soft tissues like skin and internal organs in fossil vertebrates. With a bachelor and master degree in geology, I have been always fascinated by how our planet works and in particular about its history, a story that only rocks and fossils can tell! During my PhD at University College Cork, I have expanded my interests in biology, molecular biology and chemistry. My work so far has focused on the preservation of melanosomes (melanin granules) in animal soft tissues using synchrotron-based chemical analysis. Currently, I am investigating the preservation of melanins at the molecular level. My research interest also includes the investigation of the taphonomic processes that lead to the preservation of soft tissues and biomolecules using taphonomic experiments at high pressure and temperature. Do you want to know about what I do?