In memory of Dr Juan Li, a young geologist (1987–2023)

This special issue of Mesozoic is dedicated to the memory of a great specialist in carbonate sedimentology, Dr Juan Li, who passed away on July 19th, 2023. Juan Li sadly left us while logging the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) interval in the Tibetan Himalaya. This special issue has collected contributions to Mesozoic–Cenozoic geological studies from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from colleagues, friends, and fellow scientists to express our remembrance and regret.