University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno is one of Esquire magazine’s “100 Best People in the World"

University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno has been named one of Esquire magazine’s “100 Best People in the World” in the magazine’s December issue, now on newsstands.

Earlier this year, Sereno was selected as one of Newsweek’s “100 people to watch for the next millennium” and People’s “Fifty Most Beautiful People.”

Esquire writes, “By best we mean people who make our lives richer or larger or happier.” Others on the list include physicist Stephen Hawking, soccer star Mia Hamm, actress Helen Mirren and poet Toni Morrison.

Sereno, at age 40, is one of the world’s foremost paleontologists. He has uncovered the world’s most primitive dinosaur, Eoraptor, as well as the largest predator, Carcharodontosaurus. He is currently on an expedition in Africa’s Sahara Desert. He returns to Chicago in January.