Research Projects
Each student was assigned a collections based research project focused on Late Cretaceous fossils from the Hell Creek Formation of Montana. These multidisciplinary projects allowed the students to help prepare the specimens in the Fossil Preparation Laboratory, as well as producing scientific illustrations, photographs, a publication-style paper, and conference-style public presentation on their project. The information that they researched will become part of the permanent data on file for the specimens in question.
Click the links below to see their papers and power point presentations.
Erika Canola
Student, LACC
I am currently a student at Los Angeles City College. My interests in Anthropology at LACC lead me to the opportunity of the OEDG program. I first began to get involved at the Natural History Museum volunteering in the Vertebrate Paleontology Department. Once I started cleaning fossils, I realized how interested I've become in something that I knew so little about. I never thought that I would be heading down this road but I'm truly enjoying every minute of it.
My research project was to identify and describe the anatomy of a Cretaceous turtle that was collected by the Dinosaur Institute in 2004.
Sean Hurt
Student, LACC
I'm working as an intern through the Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences program. Knowledge and science have always been my primary interests. As a devoted geology student, I can't imagine a more exciting opportunity than real-world experience in academics, research and paleontology. The OEDG program is a vital stepping stone on my path toward graduate studies and professional research.
My research project was to investigate growth patterns in juvenile Triceratops and to estimate the ages of several specimens housed at the museum.
John Rodriguez
Student, LACC
After being involved with the Anthropology Lab at Los Angeles City College for two semesters, an opportunity at the Dinosaur Institute materialized and it seemed like a great way to further my education. I have been preparing fossils and enjoying the practical experience thus far. I am very excited to be involved with the OEDG program.
My research project was to study an array of fragmentary dinosaur specimens collected from a single, small site in 2007 by the Dinosaur Institute.
