Registration is no longer available for this event as it has passed.
Meet our speaker:
Dr. Michael Habib is a Director of Data Visualization and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, a Research Associate in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, an Adjunct Professor of Biology at College of the Canyons, and a freelance writer/consultant. He completed his undergraduate and MSc degrees in Biology at the University of Virginia, under the tutelage of the internationally recognized conservation biologist, Dr. John Gittleman. His PhD work was carried out at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine under the supervision of renowned dinosaur paleontologist, Dr. David Weishampel. Dr. Habib’s doctorate combined training in Anatomy, Medical Illustration, and Mechanical Engineering. He now uses all three disciplines in tandem: Dr. Habib is an expert in biomechanics exploring the relationships between evolution, structure, and performance in animals (including humans) using a combination of anatomy, art, and engineering.
Dr. Habib’s work on animal launch provided the first robust explanation of giant size in pterosaurs and led to a fundamental reassessment of the mechanical limits of flying animals. His work was featured as one of the top 100 science discoveries of 2009 by Discover Magazine. In 2014, Popular Science recognized Dr. Habib as one of their Brilliant Ten. Dr. Habib has authored 40 scientific papers, appeared in a diverse array of television specials, and worked as a scientific editor for National Geographic Magazine. He regularly writes for Scientific American Magazine, and his first book is due out this year. Titled Flying Monsters, it is Dr. Habib’s latest collaboration with legendary LucasFilm and Disney Feature Animation artist Terryl Whitlatch.
Dr. Habib is an experienced animation and creature design consultant, and he has applied science to creature design on over 20 projects for leading studios, including projects for BBC, CBC, National Geographic, Creative Differences, YouTube Originals, Amblin Entertainment, and Apple TV+.