Dr Phil Manning is Head of the Palaeontology Research Group at the University of Manchester (UK) and is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania (USA). His research is broad and multidisciplinary with active research topics including fossil trackway analysis and soft tissue preservation work, dinosaur locomotor reconstructions and software development (Gaitsym), geochemistry and elemental analysis — particularly specialising in synchrotron based imaging techniques, application of LiDAR-based imaging to both landscape and skeletal modelling, high-performance computing work — particularly facilitating the use of shared research council funded computing resources, mechanical analysis of biomaterials both extant and extinct, finite element analysis and imaging.

The results from Dr Manning’s synchrotron based work, has had a significant impact on the spatial diagnosis of elemental inventories in samples from archaeological and biological studies, both from extinct and extant samples. His use of x-ray microtomography in refining finite element models, yielding multi-phase material analyses has had a significant impact on how other palaeontologists are approaching the analyses of the internal force environment of biological materials.

Media exposure Dr Manning’s research group includes a recent series for National Geographic (‘Jurassic CSI’ six 1 hour episodes in Spring 2011) that was transmitted in over 50 countries. The new series showcased the application of new technologies and methods to palaeontology. He also contributed to all episodes of a recent BBC series on palaeontology (‘Fossil Detectives’ eight 30 minute episodes in 2009). He has authored both children and popular science books and is a regular contributor to public speaking programmes around the world, promoting the public engagement of science.

As well as mainstream media outlets (newspapers, radio and television) in both the UK and internationally, Dr Manning’s research has been favourably covered by outlets such as Science, Nature, Science Daily, New Scientist, Scientific American, New York Times, Washington Post, The Times, The Guardian, Reuters, NPR, BBC, Discover Magazine, etc. The Proc. Roy. Soc. B. (Manning et al 2009) paper on the mummified remains of a dinosaur was picked up by 1200 media outlets globally, making it one of the highest profile papers for the University of Manchester. The dinosaur mummy research was also placed in the ‘Top 100 Scientific Discoveries’ in 2009 by Discovery Magazine. In 2012 Dr Manning has been asked to take part in the prestigious Royal Society Summer Exhibition. His synchrotron-based research will be one of twenty exhibits showcased at the Royal Society in July 2012.

What can we learn from the dinosaurs? More than we might believe. Dr. Phil Manning will share the fascinating secrets that applications of 3D imaging are unlocking from the distant past.

A number of iconic fossils will be introduced to the audience, and their high-tech analyses explored. The ability to unpick the chemistry and morphology of fossils yields important insights to the past. But why are we interested in chemistry, and in the past? Simply: chemistry can define the origins, synthesis, function and alterations from chunks of rock to the once-living bones of dinosaurs; these chemical ghosts reveal secrets that will have benefits for understanding Earth processes today and in future. The work being undertaken at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source (SSRL) is at the cutting edge of science and is using light brighter than a million suns to chemically image priceless samples. Advances in this multidisciplinary field have the potential to have global impact in disciplines way beyond palaeontology.

Dr Manning’s research has been covered by Science, Nature, Science Daily, New Scientist, Scientific American, New York Times, Washington Post, The Times, The Guardian, Reuters, NPR, BBC, and Discover Magazine. The Proc. Roy. Soc. B. (Manning et al 2009) paper on the mummified remains of a dinosaur was picked up by 1200 media outlets globally. The dinosaur mummy research was also placed in the ‘Top 100 Scientific Discoveries’ in 2009 by Discovery Magazine. In 2012 Dr Manning has been asked to take part in the prestigious Royal Society Summer Exhibition. His synchrotron-based research will be one of twenty exhibits showcased at the Royal Society in July 2012.

On Wednesday, 10^th October, Dr Manning will here on Grand Cayman to give a lecture at the St. Matthews University Campus located at Leeward 3, Lecture Hall 1, Regatta Office Park at 6:00pm.

The event is part of the National Trust’s guest lecture series in partnership with St. Matthews University Medical School.

Anyone interested in attending is requested to contact the National Trust in advance to reserve a spot. For more information, please contact Basia McGuire at 749-1129 or [email protected]