We study marine diversity through time.
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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.
FEATURED
26 JUN 2024
Jack Cooper´s new paper
Jack Cooper's new paper on the rise and fall of shark functional diversity is now published in Global Ecology and Biogeography.
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​Research featured in Cambridge Prisms: Extinctions
25 MAR 2024
Our marine megafauna in deep time review is part of the latest edition of Cambridge Prisms.
New project on shark functional diversity
14 FEB 2024
We’re exploring how evolutionary history shapes the roles sharks play in marine ecosystems.
Team
We are a global research group
Our team members are based at the Paleontology Institute and Museum in the University of Zurich (Switzerland), at the Biosciences Department in Swansea University (United Kingdom) and at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama).
Dr Catalina Pimiento
Group leader
Zurich and Swansea
Sharks' extinctions, evolution, ecology and conservation
Colombia
@pimientoc
Lewis Williams
PhD student
Swansea
Phylogenetics
SHARKS-XT
Wales
@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
Carnaval A, Zuppinger-Dingley D, … Pimiento C, … et al.
Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America: e70049.
Latest scientific contributions
​Reflections for Biodiversity Researchers Engaging With Policy-Science Interfaces
2025
Somekh, L., Griffin, J.N., Pimiento, C. and Pearse, W.D., bioRxiv, pp.2025-12.
Integrating functional and phylogenetic perspectives reveals new priorities for bird and mammal conservation
2025
Our values​
Science with purpose.
Research with impact.
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.