Another #DAWNDINOS paper submitted! A deep dive into locomotor function and biomechanics in the awesome Late Triassic "rauisuchian" Postosuchus.
February 9, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Another #DAWNDINOS paper submitted! A deep dive into locomotor function and biomechanics in the awesome Late Triassic "rauisuchian" Postosuchus.
New #DAWNDINOS paper!
We do predictive simulations of vertical height jumping in the Triassic theropod Coelophysis & extant (tinamou) bird Eudromia. Mainly as sensitivity analysis of what parameters are most important. We show how crucial tail mobility is.
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsif/article...
We do predictive simulations of vertical height jumping in the Triassic theropod Coelophysis & extant (tinamou) bird Eudromia. Mainly as sensitivity analysis of what parameters are most important. We show how crucial tail mobility is.
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsif/article...
February 25, 2026 at 6:23 AM
New #DAWNDINOS paper!
We do predictive simulations of vertical height jumping in the Triassic theropod Coelophysis & extant (tinamou) bird Eudromia. Mainly as sensitivity analysis of what parameters are most important. We show how crucial tail mobility is.
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsif/article...
We do predictive simulations of vertical height jumping in the Triassic theropod Coelophysis & extant (tinamou) bird Eudromia. Mainly as sensitivity analysis of what parameters are most important. We show how crucial tail mobility is.
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsif/article...
We're gearing up to start some new #DAWNDINOS spinoff biomechanical models of weird extinct archosaurs!
Next week, a student project begins to reconstruct a musculoskeletal model of early dinosaur-lineage (Avemetatarsalia) aphanosaurian Teleocrater! (shown below)
Next week, a student project begins to reconstruct a musculoskeletal model of early dinosaur-lineage (Avemetatarsalia) aphanosaurian Teleocrater! (shown below)
August 8, 2025 at 10:08 AM
We're gearing up to start some new #DAWNDINOS spinoff biomechanical models of weird extinct archosaurs!
Next week, a student project begins to reconstruct a musculoskeletal model of early dinosaur-lineage (Avemetatarsalia) aphanosaurian Teleocrater! (shown below)
Next week, a student project begins to reconstruct a musculoskeletal model of early dinosaur-lineage (Avemetatarsalia) aphanosaurian Teleocrater! (shown below)
ICYMI, our latest #DAWNDINOS paper, focusing on a tiny, bipedal, early dinosaur cousin.
Oh groovy, our paper on the hindlimb biomechanics of the Triassic dinosauriform Lagosuchus is out! A quick thread for now. We uCT-scanned most of the existing skeletal material for this important outgroup to Dinosauria. We sorted through the elements and chose the best ones to make a 3D model from.
December 11, 2024 at 1:17 PM
ICYMI, our latest #DAWNDINOS paper, focusing on a tiny, bipedal, early dinosaur cousin.
New #DAWNDINOS paper! Another "here's everything relevant about a cool Triassic/early Jurassic archosauriform's locomotion that we can figure out so far, with a 3D model of it"-- this time focused on the big nasty "rauisuchian" Postosuchus. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Functional morphology and biomechanics of the locomotor apparatus in the large Late Triassic carnivore Postosuchus kirkpatricki (Archosauria: Rauisuchidae)
A three-dimensional model is used to analyze the locomotor biomechanics of the large Late Triassic archosaurian reptile Postosuchus kirkpatricki. The study finds that it is more uncertain than previo...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 6, 2026 at 7:11 AM
New #DAWNDINOS paper! Another "here's everything relevant about a cool Triassic/early Jurassic archosauriform's locomotion that we can figure out so far, with a 3D model of it"-- this time focused on the big nasty "rauisuchian" Postosuchus. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
My experience reflects my view on grants:
If you believe in a project & can abide the risk, don't give up! Keep reformulating it using critiques to hone it. Be a stubborn bastard! Keep finding places to submit it. Ancestors of my DAWNDINOS grant were rejected in 2012 & 2013 before 2015 was funded.
If you believe in a project & can abide the risk, don't give up! Keep reformulating it using critiques to hone it. Be a stubborn bastard! Keep finding places to submit it. Ancestors of my DAWNDINOS grant were rejected in 2012 & 2013 before 2015 was funded.
June 23, 2026 at 6:15 PM
My experience reflects my view on grants:
If you believe in a project & can abide the risk, don't give up! Keep reformulating it using critiques to hone it. Be a stubborn bastard! Keep finding places to submit it. Ancestors of my DAWNDINOS grant were rejected in 2012 & 2013 before 2015 was funded.
If you believe in a project & can abide the risk, don't give up! Keep reformulating it using critiques to hone it. Be a stubborn bastard! Keep finding places to submit it. Ancestors of my DAWNDINOS grant were rejected in 2012 & 2013 before 2015 was funded.
New #GRAVIBONE #DAWNDINOS paper from Romain Pintore with @johnrhutchinson.bsky.social on the link between femoral morphology and locomotion and body size in ornithopod dinosaurs. Congrats Romain!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
August 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
New #GRAVIBONE #DAWNDINOS paper from Romain Pintore with @johnrhutchinson.bsky.social on the link between femoral morphology and locomotion and body size in ornithopod dinosaurs. Congrats Romain!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Gradually getting back to work; easing into it.
Postosuchus MS is nearly done; now starting the Gracilisuchus MS. They'll join our other #DAWNDINOS biomechanics papers on Lagosuchus, Riojasuchus, Euparkeria, Mussaurus and Batrachotomus; and plenty more taxa to come!
dawndinos.com/published-pa...
Postosuchus MS is nearly done; now starting the Gracilisuchus MS. They'll join our other #DAWNDINOS biomechanics papers on Lagosuchus, Riojasuchus, Euparkeria, Mussaurus and Batrachotomus; and plenty more taxa to come!
dawndinos.com/published-pa...
January 3, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Gradually getting back to work; easing into it.
Postosuchus MS is nearly done; now starting the Gracilisuchus MS. They'll join our other #DAWNDINOS biomechanics papers on Lagosuchus, Riojasuchus, Euparkeria, Mussaurus and Batrachotomus; and plenty more taxa to come!
dawndinos.com/published-pa...
Postosuchus MS is nearly done; now starting the Gracilisuchus MS. They'll join our other #DAWNDINOS biomechanics papers on Lagosuchus, Riojasuchus, Euparkeria, Mussaurus and Batrachotomus; and plenty more taxa to come!
dawndinos.com/published-pa...
Applications are now open for a MRes with me to study locomotion in extant/extinct archosaurs, using 3D modelling and simulation! Following up on the #DAWNDINOS project. www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgr...
(UK citizens are easiest funding-wise)
(UK citizens are easiest funding-wise)
MRes - Biomechanical computer simulation of locomotion in reptiles - Master of Research (MRes) - Postgraduate - Study - Royal Veterinary College, RVC
www.rvc.ac.uk
February 7, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Applications are now open for a MRes with me to study locomotion in extant/extinct archosaurs, using 3D modelling and simulation! Following up on the #DAWNDINOS project. www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgr...
(UK citizens are easiest funding-wise)
(UK citizens are easiest funding-wise)
#DAWNDINOS paper! We built a 3D musculoskeletal model of ~1 kg Triassic pseudosuchian archosaur Gracilisuchus. Forelimbs were a challenge. Nice articulations of ribs, vertebrae & osteoderms made a good torso & neck. Probably quadrupedal, plantigrade & not fully erect limbs. doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Hindlimb functional morphology and locomotor biomechanics of the small Late Triassic pseudosuchian reptile Gracilisuchus stipanicicorum (Archosauria: Gracilisuchidae)
A three-dimensional biomechanical model of the musculoskeletal system is used to analyse the potential locomotor functions of the small (~1 kg) Late Triassic archosaurian reptile Gracilisuchus stipan...
doi.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:33 AM
#DAWNDINOS paper! We built a 3D musculoskeletal model of ~1 kg Triassic pseudosuchian archosaur Gracilisuchus. Forelimbs were a challenge. Nice articulations of ribs, vertebrae & osteoderms made a good torso & neck. Probably quadrupedal, plantigrade & not fully erect limbs. doi.org/10.1111/joa....
I learned a lot from mistakes (some dumb) and successes in managing the DAWNDINOS grant (and prior ones). This one has plenty of similarities but I'll run it differently. We'll hit the ground running.
June 24, 2026 at 7:47 AM
I learned a lot from mistakes (some dumb) and successes in managing the DAWNDINOS grant (and prior ones). This one has plenty of similarities but I'll run it differently. We'll hit the ground running.
Want to know more about #DAWNDINOS project findings? Papers are all here-
dawndinos.com/published-pa...
I recommend #30 as a review of progress up to 2022 (& critique of "dinosaurs just got lucky" dogma). I worked hard writing that one.
dawndinos.com/published-pa...
I recommend #30 as a review of progress up to 2022 (& critique of "dinosaurs just got lucky" dogma). I worked hard writing that one.
Published Papers
Published Papers: (also see our EU funders’ page on Open Access) Otero, A., Allen, V., Pol, D., Hutchinson, J.R. 2017. Forelimb muscle and joint actions in Archosauria: insights from Croco…
dawndinos.com
June 6, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Want to know more about #DAWNDINOS project findings? Papers are all here-
dawndinos.com/published-pa...
I recommend #30 as a review of progress up to 2022 (& critique of "dinosaurs just got lucky" dogma). I worked hard writing that one.
dawndinos.com/published-pa...
I recommend #30 as a review of progress up to 2022 (& critique of "dinosaurs just got lucky" dogma). I worked hard writing that one.
1-year MRes projects at the RVC are open for application! I've got 2; 1 on combining experimental data with musculoskeletal simulations to understand how broiler chickens walk while growing, & 1 #DAWNDINOS choice of fossil critters to simulate:
www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgr...
www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Master of Research (MRes) - Master of Research (MRes) - Postgraduate - Study - Royal Veterinary College, RVC
RVC's MRes enables students to undertake a sizeable research project and gain advanced research skills, without committing to completing a PhD. The course equips graduates with the skills needed to enter a PhD programme or move on to careers where advanced research experience is relevant.
www.rvc.ac.uk
March 31, 2026 at 6:48 AM
1-year MRes projects at the RVC are open for application! I've got 2; 1 on combining experimental data with musculoskeletal simulations to understand how broiler chickens walk while growing, & 1 #DAWNDINOS choice of fossil critters to simulate:
www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgr...
www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgr...
2nd PhD chapter of #DAWNDINOS graduate is out in Paleobiology w/Bishop, Tsai, me & Houssaye. We show there was only 1 way to become a giant bipedal #dinosaur by studying a lot of theropod femora. Come for the cool morphology, stay for the 3D geometric morphometrics!
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
The evolution of femoral morphology in giant non-avian theropod dinosaurs | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
The evolution of femoral morphology in giant non-avian theropod dinosaurs
www.cambridge.org
May 2, 2024 at 11:26 AM
2nd PhD chapter of #DAWNDINOS graduate is out in Paleobiology w/Bishop, Tsai, me & Houssaye. We show there was only 1 way to become a giant bipedal #dinosaur by studying a lot of theropod femora. Come for the cool morphology, stay for the 3D geometric morphometrics!
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Just noticed that the officially awesome Professor John R Hutchinson is on here!
@johnrhutchinson.bsky.social
"Evolutionary biomechanist. Awesome animals, dinosaurs, anatomy, locomotion, computer modeling, whatsinjohnsfreezer.com, #DisabledInSTEM. #DAWNDINOS. He/him. Fellow of the Royal Society"
@johnrhutchinson.bsky.social
"Evolutionary biomechanist. Awesome animals, dinosaurs, anatomy, locomotion, computer modeling, whatsinjohnsfreezer.com, #DisabledInSTEM. #DAWNDINOS. He/him. Fellow of the Royal Society"
October 24, 2023 at 5:42 PM
Just noticed that the officially awesome Professor John R Hutchinson is on here!
@johnrhutchinson.bsky.social
"Evolutionary biomechanist. Awesome animals, dinosaurs, anatomy, locomotion, computer modeling, whatsinjohnsfreezer.com, #DisabledInSTEM. #DAWNDINOS. He/him. Fellow of the Royal Society"
@johnrhutchinson.bsky.social
"Evolutionary biomechanist. Awesome animals, dinosaurs, anatomy, locomotion, computer modeling, whatsinjohnsfreezer.com, #DisabledInSTEM. #DAWNDINOS. He/him. Fellow of the Royal Society"
#CORDIScovery podcast about my #DAWNDINOS Triassic-Jurassic archosaur locomotor biomechanics project, @davfoff.bsky.social's #ECODIV mass extinction/diversity/ecosystems project, Prof. Sara Varela's #MAPAS climate/biogeography/macroevolution project. Nice synergy! cordis.europa.eu/article/id/4...
When it comes to dinosaurs, was Orwell right?
In his novel Animal Farm, Orwell’s character claims: “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Would the tyrannosaurs agree? Or did...
cordis.europa.eu
November 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
#CORDIScovery podcast about my #DAWNDINOS Triassic-Jurassic archosaur locomotor biomechanics project, @davfoff.bsky.social's #ECODIV mass extinction/diversity/ecosystems project, Prof. Sara Varela's #MAPAS climate/biogeography/macroevolution project. Nice synergy! cordis.europa.eu/article/id/4...
New #DAWNDINOS paper in Anat.Record! We 3D-modelled the super-weirdo Triassic archosaur Riojasuchus. Pseudosuchian fans rejoice! We scanned the best bones, made a composite digital skeleton, reconstructed muscles & flesh & did some #biomechanics!
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Biomechanical modeling of musculoskeletal function related to the terrestrial locomotion of Riojasuchus tenuisceps (Archosauria: Ornithosuchidae)
<em>The Anatomical Record</em> is an anatomy journal publishing new discoveries in the morphological aspects of molecular, cellular, developmental, evolutionary, and systems biology.
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 29, 2024 at 11:04 AM
New #DAWNDINOS paper in Anat.Record! We 3D-modelled the super-weirdo Triassic archosaur Riojasuchus. Pseudosuchian fans rejoice! We scanned the best bones, made a composite digital skeleton, reconstructed muscles & flesh & did some #biomechanics!
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...