Born in Groß-Gerau, Hesse, Heiles received his doctorate with distinction from the TU Darmstadt in 2012 after studying chemistry there. His dissertation was followed by research stays at the University of Birmingham and the University of California, Berkeley. The chemist then conducted his research at JLU Gießen as a postdoc and, from 2016, as a junior research group leader. Since August 2022, Heiles has been junior professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen's Faculty of Chemistry and head of the Lipidomics Junior Research Group at ISAS. © ISAS
Technologies like the isotope ratio mass spectrometer, the scanning electron microscope or the orbitrap mass spectrometer can be used to analyse the body temperature, physiology and biochemistry of dinosaurs as well as draw conclusions about their visual appearance. The 38-year old explained, for example, how analysing stable CO2 isotopomers (such as carbon dioxide molecules with the same number of protons but a different amount of neutrons and, therefore, a distinguishable mass) in fossils can provide information on dinosaurs’ body temperature. In addition, Heiles discussed the work of other researchers and explained how lipid signatures give an insight into the climate conditions of the time. Lastly, the chemist gave an intriguing outlook on controversially discussed aspects such as evidence of proteins and cells in dinosaur fossils.
(Bettina Dirauf / Sara Rebein)