Jin Meng studies the morphology, systematics, and evolution of mammals, particularly early mammals. Unlike some paleontologists who focus primarily upon teeth and dentition as their evidence, Dr. Meng examines the cranium, ear region, and enamel microstructure of teeth as sources of data to address evolutionary issues concerning mammals. He uses digital imaging, radiography, scanning electron microscopy, and computerized tomography to enhance observations and field work. Most of Dr. Meng's fieldwork takes place in Asia-primarily in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang Province in northeast China, and southern China. Dr. Meng has done research on several mammal groups including didymoconids, multituberculates, and gliriforms (a group that includes rodents, gnawing herbivores such as rabbits, and their early kin). Most recently, Dr. Meng and his colleagues published research on a fossil of a 130-million-year-old opossum-sized mammal, Repenomamus robustus, found with the remains of a psittacosaur in its stomach area. This fossil is the first direct evidence that some primitive mammals were carnivores and fed on small vertebrates, including young dinosaurs. Dr. Meng also is an adjunct professor at the City University of New York and an overseas assessor for the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. Dr. Meng earned a Ph.D. in paleontology at Columbia University in 1991. Before joining the Museum in 1999 as an Assistant Curator, he was an assistant professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Recent Grant Support
NSF EF-629811	ATOL: Collaborative Research: Resolving Mammalian Phylogeny with Genomic and Morphological Approaches
NSF DBI-545155	Support for the AMNH Fossil Mammal Collection: An Integrated Program to Rehouse Types and Perissodactyla and Enhance On-Line Collections Data and Web-Based Educational Resources
NSF BCS-309800	Investigating the Origin and Early Evolution of Primates in Asia
Selected Publications
Meng, J., J. Ye, W-y. Wu, L-p. Ye, X-j. Ni., 2006. A recommended boundary stratotype section for Xiejian Stage from northern Junggur Basin: implications to related bio-chronostratigraphy and environmental Changes. Vertebrata PalAsiatica 44: 205—236.
Meng, J. Y.-m. Hu, and C.-k. Li., 2005. Gobiolagus (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from Ula Usa of Inner Mongolia and a review on Eocene Lagomorphs of Asia. Paleontologia Electronica 8-1: 1-23.
Meng, J ., A. R. Wyss, Y.-m. Hu, Y.-q. Wang, G. J. Bowen, and P. L. Koch, 2005. Glires (Mammalia) from the late Paleocene Bayan Ulan Locality of Inner Mongolia. American Museum Novitates 3473: 1—25.
Asher, R. J., J. Meng, M. C. McKenna, J. R. Wible, D. Dashzeveg, G. Rougier, and M. J. Novacek, 2005. Stem Lagomorpha and the Antiquity of Glires. Science 307: 1091-1094.
Hu, Y.-m., J. Meng, C.k. Li, and Y.-q. Wang, 2005. Large Mesozoic mammals fed on young dinosaurs. Nature 433: 149—152.
Meng, J . and Y.-m. Hu, 2004. Lagomorphs from the Yihesubu Upper Eocene of Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia). Vertebrata PalAsiatica 42: 261-275.
Meng, J ., G. J. Bowen, J. Ye, P. L. Koch, S.-y. Ting, Q. Li, and X. Jin, 2004. Gomphos elkema (Glires, Mammalia) from the Erlian Basin: Evidence for the Early Tertiary Bumbanian Land Mammal Age in Nei-Mongol, China. American Museum Novitates 3425: 24 pp.
Meng, J ., Hu, Y., Wang, Y., and Li C.-K, 2003. The ossified Meckel's cartilage and internal groove in Mesozoic mammaliaforms: implications to origin of the definitive mammalian middle ear. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 138: 431-448.
Meng, J., Hu, Y.-m., and Li, C, 2003. The Osteology of Rhombomylus(Mammalia, Glires) and its implication for Glires systematics and evolution. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 275: 1-247.