Zhe--Xi Luo, associate director of science and research and curator of vertebrate paleontology at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, has won a Humboldt Research Award.

Dr. Luo's research focuses on mammals that lived during the age of dinosaurs, and he and his collaborators have discovered many new fossil mammals during the last decade that have yielded fresh insight into the origins and the earliest evolution of mammals.

The Humboldt Research Award is given by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany for senior foreign scientists, usually in recognition of a recipient's lifetime academic achievements, including fundamental discoveries, development of new theories or insights, or for making a significant impact on their own discipline.

The award has a value of 60,000 euros, or approximately $84,500, and winners are invited to spend up to one year cooperating on a long-term research project with specialist colleagues in Germany. Dr. Luo will be studying with Thomas Martin at Steinmann Institute of Paleontology in Bonn. Drs. Luo and Martin share research interests in Jurassic Period mammals.

The Humboldt Foundation of Germany grants up to 100 Humboldt Research Awards annually.