Mansoura University Researcher Secures Prestigious International Paleontology Award

Dr. Shorouk El-Ashkar, a Researcher at the Mansoura University Vertebrate Paleontology Center (MUVP), has achieved a significant global honor by winning the Taylor & Francis Award for Best Student Article. This prestigious award, presented in collaboration with the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP), recognizes the top research published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Her winning paper, titled "Cranial anatomy of the hypercarnivore Bastetodon sertus (Hyaenodonta, Hyaenilourina) and a reassessment of Pterodon in Africa," was lauded for its profound scientific value and its contribution to the advancement of fossil studies.

The award was formally presented during the SVP's annual meeting in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

This accolade is an extension of her recent research achievements with the MUVP team, led by Prof. Hesham Sallam, which have garnered widespread attention within the international scientific community.

Prof. Tarek Ghalwash, Vice President of Mansoura University for Postgraduate Studies and Research, affirmed that this success is a natural outcome of the center's diligent research efforts and robust scientific activity. He noted that this work "has solidified MUVP's position as one of the world's leading centers in vertebrate paleontology."

Prof. Ghalwash extended his heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Shorouk El-Ashkar, Prof. Hesham Sallam, and the entire research team for this outstanding achievement, which reflects the university's excellence and contributes to raising Egypt's name in international scientific forums.