We study marine diversity through time.
Our research aims to better understand the extinction mechanisms of marine life, especially sharks, and to assess the impacts of species loss on functional diversity. Our ultimate goal is to use this information to provide insights into conservation. To reach our research objectives, we integrate large sets of paleontological and neontological data and apply methods in ecology, evolution, phylogenetics and biogeography.
Latest
news
Discover the latest research findings, publications, fieldwork updates and scientific achievements from the Pimiento Research Group.
Team
We are a global research group.
Our team members are based at the Department of Paleontology in the University of Zurich (Switzerland) and at the Biosciences Department in Swansea University (United Kingdom).
Dr Catalina Pimiento
Role. Group leader
Location. Zurich and Swansea
Focus. Sharks' extinctions, evolution, ecology and conservation
Origin. Colombia
Twiter. @pimientoc
Lewis Williams
Role. PhD student
Location. Swansea
Focus. Phylogenetics, SHARKS-XT
Origin. Wales
Twiter. @LewisPalaeo
SHARKS XT
Current Projects
SHARK EXTINCTIONS | from the past to the future
Linking past extinctions and the conservation of modern species using the abundant shark fossil record.
MEGACENE
FATE AND FUNCTION OF MARINE MEGAFAUNA | from the Pliocene to the Anthropocene
Understanding marine megafauna functional diversity from the Pliocene to the present.
Publications
Gardiner A, Cooper, R, Kocáková, K, Mathes, GH, Villafaña, JA, Silvestro, D, Pimiento, C†. Current Biology 36, 1–9
Latest scientific contributions
Revealing the hidden patterns of shark and ray diversity over the past 145 million years.
2026
Kocáková, K, Silvestro, D, Mathes, G, Villafaña, JA, Pimiento C†. Proceedings B. 292 (2061): 20252272.
Global extinction events and persistent age-dependency in sharks and rays over the past 145 million years.
2025
Our values
Our values guide the way we do science,
collaborate and contribute to a better future for our oceans.
PASSION
INTEGRITY
DIVERSITY
OPENNESS
SUSTAINABILITY
We are passionate about our work and the ocean.
We are committed to high quality science and ethical research.
We promote diversity in our team and in our perspectives.
We are open with our data, ideas and our scientific contributions.
We are conscious of our impact and committed to a sustainable future.