About Jack

Follow me on X: @Tseng_ZJ

My main research interests are in the evolution of mammals and the engineering of their musculoskeletal systems. Current projects include (1) the functional morphology and paleoecology of stem carnivoramorphans, the predecessors of modern carnivorans, (2) systematic paleontology of fossil carnivorans and their associated mammalian faunas from the Tibetan and Mongolian Plateaus, and (3) expansion of structure-function mapping research to all jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes).

My recent research has focused on the skull functional morphology and biomechanics of living carnivorans. I employ a range of methods and techniques to reconstruct and compare the paleobiology of extinct mammals to their living ecological kin. The methods include geometric morphometrics analysis, 3D finite element analysis, enamel microstructure analysis, enamel microwear analysis, material testing, and paleontological fieldwork. My field research areas include the Neogene deposits of southern California, central Mexico, Inner Mongolia, and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in central Asia. I am developing new research interests in the Paleogene deposits of southwestern Wyoming. I have worked on fossil mammals from other countries through international collaborations with colleagues in Mainland China, Mexico, Spain, South Africa, Canada, and Taiwan.  

On the teaching side, I particularly enjoy using museum public programs and social media to promote interest and participation in science. I have worked in K-12 settings at the Berkeley Natural History Museums and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. I enjoy giving presentations about paleontology and science in general to preschool, elementary, middle, and high school classes. Natural history collections around the world all have this often untapped potential for self-discovered learning, and paleontology is a great 'gateway' science. I have also taught college-level laboratories in computed tomography, introductory biology, physiology, and ecology. From 2016 to 2019, I taught gross human anatomy to first year medical and dental students.

I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Assistant Curator in the Museum of Paleontology at the University of California, Berkeley. Please contact me if you have any questions.