Research Interests & Teaching & Supervision

Biomechanics & Tissue & Function

My research leverages numerical approaches—such as Computational Fluid Dynamics, Solid Mechanics, and the Discrete Element Method—alongside analytical tools such as Dimensional Analysis to simulate complex fluid–(particle)–structure interactions in ancient organisms, revealing their governing physical factors and scaling laws. 

By establishing these quantitative frameworks, we aim to objectively evaluate deformational modes, functional morphology, and biomechanical tissue properties, ultimately offering fresh perspectives on functional evolution, behavioral adaptations, and potential phylogenetic relationships. 

Early-animal Evolution

Using newly developed tools alongside established methods in ichnology and computational mechanics, we aim to reconstruct the biophysical traits of early organisms, particularly animals, from the Ediacaran and Proterozoic.

By integrating the fossil record with the biophysical scaling laws derived from these approaches, we seek to uncover key evolutionary pathways in body plan, anatomy, locomotion, behaviour, functional ecology, and early terrestrial excursions of the earliest benthic animals. we also investigate the tissue properties, functional morphology, and potential affinities of diverse enigmatic organisms.

Ichnological Standards & Software

Establishing rigorous research protocols is fundamental to the development of a robust and prosperous field of computational ichnology. For data aspects in trajectorial analysis, we have addressed key considerations including coordinate extraction, signal selection and sampling frequency, sources of error, convergence of computed data, conservation of units, the identification of stereotyped behaviours such as taxis and kinesis, etc.

For ichnological interpretation and analysis, we emphasize the importance of Clarity, Necessity & Sufficiency, Completeness, Convergence, Boundedness & Normalization (including conservation of units), and Consistency when developing and applying analytical approaches to trace fossil studies, to ensure the Robustness of the results and interpretations.

A free software package, and Matlab, R or Python codes for trajectory analysis are currently under development and will be expanded into a broader suite of computational ichnological tools in the near future.