Fieldwork
Large parts of my research involve fieldwork. So far, I have participated in dozens of expeditions across the western United States, as well as work throughout central and northern Ethiopia. I have experience excavating dinosaurs and their close relatives (Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous), relatives of modern crocodile (Triassic), and mammals (Eocene).
Early Cretaceous of Wyoming
Partnering with Dr. Michael D'Emic, Adelphi University, we have prospected and excavated Cretaceous sediments, mainly Cloverly Formation, for nearly ten years. This work has resulted in the discovery of a large number of taxa, including crocodyliforms and a number of juvenile dinosaurs.
Triassic of western North America
My fieldwork in the Triassic has spanned from southern Montana to northern New Mexico. This research explores a number of topics, ranging from understanding how faunal composition changes depending on paleolatitude to better illuminating the early evolution of dinosaurs and their close relatives. I have collaborated primarily with Dr. Randall Irmis, but have also worked closely with Drs. Michelle Stocker and Stirling Nesbitt, Virginia Tech, Dr. Alan Turner, Stony Brook University, and Dr. Nathan Smith, Natural History Museum, Los Angeles County.
Triassic and Jurassic of Ethiopia
I explored Triassic and Jurassic sediments throughout Ethiopia to better understand the vertebrate community of low-paleolatitude provinces of the Mesozoic. This NSF-funded work was led by Dr. Mark Goodwin, University of California Museum of Paleontology, Dr. Randall Irmis, University of Utah and NHMU, and Dr. Gregory Wilson, University of Washington, with Tadesse Berhanu, Oklahoma State University.
Jurassic and Cretaceous of Utah
Utah possesses an amazing geological record and is particularly well known for its Mesozoic fossils. During my academic career, I have discovered and excavated fossil dinosaurs throughout this state, including at Dinosaur National Monument, Grand Staircase National Monument, and across the Moab region. These digs have recovered giant sauropods, skulls of ceratopsians, and copious turtles. Some of this work has been featured on National Geographic and NPR's Science Friday.
