Jeff Wilson Mantilla has woven a tapestry of scientific curiosity and cultural richness that deeply influences his work in paleontology. As a professor in EARTH and a curator at the U-M Museum of Paleontology, Wilson Mantilla’s journey is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between culture and scientific inquiry.
“I was always interested in the human body and how it functions,” said Wilson Mantilla. “As a little kid, I was fascinated to learn the names of the bones in our skeleton, as well as our soft anatomy. I had a see-through human model with internal organs that you could take apart and put together. I also had a "Gray's Anatomy" coloring book that at the time seemed impossibly complicated.”
Growing up in Kalamazoo, Wilson Mantilla's household was a blend of cultures. His father, an American community college instructor, met his mother, a Colombian surgical nurse, during a Peace Corps stint in Colombia.
“The first 'wow' moment that turned me on to science was seeing surgeries in the operating room when I was 8 years old or so in Colombia. My uncle was a surgeon there, and I followed him around everywhere — I carried his bag to work etc. One day, he put me in a gown and let me stand on a box and watch surgery. I saw a hernia operation, a Cesarean section, and a wound debridement. I was blown away to see what's under our skin,” said Wilson Mantilla.
This multicultural upbringing bestowed upon him a unique perspective that has significantly shaped his academic and professional journey. This passion led him to Kalamazoo College on a Heyl scholarship and, subsequently, to the University of Chicago for a PhD in paleontology.“My heritage has influenced my academic journey in some direct ways,” said Wilson Mantilla. “That first experience of observing surgeries took place in Colombia — and maybe could have only taken place there—that was a profound moment for me.” It also had more indirect influences. “I was (and remain) intensely curious about my ancestry—asking too many questions of my older relatives (a “preguntón”) as a way to reconstruct my own genealogy—and I notice those same sleuthing impulses leak into my own research on the past evolutionary history of animals.
Wilson Mantilla focuses his research on three somewhat interrelated fields of interest that include paleobiology and evolution of sauropod dinosaurs, fossil trackways, and the paleobiogeography of Gondwana (essentially, how tectonics might have influenced the diversification of lineages living on southern landmasses). His research takes place in museum collections as well as at field sites. His work highlights underexplored southern landmasses, driven by a broader worldview shaped by his multicultural heritage. Connecting with diverse cultures has been both enriching and challenging, influencing his appreciation of global scientific contributions. Wilson Mantilla has active field projects in India and Colombi
Aware of the complexities of mixed ancestry, Wilson Mantilla finds strength in his diverse cultural ties.
“I grew up at a time when diversity was not celebrated in the way it is today — and so having an international background complicated some aspects of life in a solidly midwestern town. But by definition that kind of background opens vistas ... you grow up aware of other languages, other customs, other ways of living than what is offered in the setting you find yourself in. That perspective was important for me and helped me to embrace, and I think to better understand, the diverse cultures that I encountered for the first time as a graduate student: in Niger, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Ghana, and India.”
Wilson Mantilla undeniably illuminates the scientific significance of southern regions through his work. His dedication to education and research inspires many aspiring scientists. To young Latinx and Hispanic individuals considering a career in science, Wilson Mantilla offers clear advice: "You can do it!" His encouragement underscores the value of diverse perspectives in the scientific community and inspires the next generation to pursue their dreams.