The study, published in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, is led by TU Darmstadt Marco Colombo and his supervisor Prof. Wolfgang Ensinger, in collaboration with paleontologists Dr Valentina Rossi and Dr Thomas Lehmann, from University College Cork and Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, respectively. The pioneering study opens up a new avenue for studying in detail the elemental chemistry of fossils conserved in both solid and liquid media in research and museum collections worldwide. The team discovered striking chemical signals associated with fur, feathers and internal organs in nearly all of the analyzed fossils. This also demonstrates that all conservation methods used on the Messel fossils so far enable the preservation of their chemical composition. 

Maria nominated for Villa Maria Women of Vision award 2025 under two categories:
Trailblazer in Science and Technology
Educational Excellence

These awards honour women from all over Ireland who are shaping industries, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations. This recognition highlights leadership, innovation, and dedication in one’s field, plus impactful contributions to society.

We discovered that feathers can preserve in zeolite minerals in pyroclastic deposits. This new mode of preservation of soft tissues opens up exciting opportunities to find remarkable fossils in volcanic rocks.

Valentina and Maria have co-authored a new article in The Conversation about their new paper on fossil feathers. Check out the paper here:

Valentina has been featured in a list of “25 scientists you need to know about” based in Ireland.

Congratulations Valentina! 

For more information see the article here: