Dino Fest 2024

John Foster
John Foster is a paleontologist and curator at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal, Utah. He has studied the Late Jurassic of the western United States for more than 30 years and is author of Jurassic West: The Dinosaurs of the Morrison Formation and Their World (2nd edition, Indiana University Press, 2020).

ReBecca Hunt-Foster
ReBecca Hunt-Foster is the Paleontologist at Dinosaur National Monument. Her research focuses on Early Cretaceous ornithomimosaurs from North America, the Upper Cretaceous Williams Fork Formation paleofauna of western Colorado and eastern Utah, and the ichnofauna of the Lower Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous rocks of Utah. ReBecca has worked as a paleontologist in western Colorado and eastern Utah since 2007.

Luis M. Chiappe, Senior VP, Research & Collections and Gretchen Augustyn Director, Dinosaur Institute

Dr. Chiappe oversees the research programs of more than 25 PhD scientists and the vast collections of NHMLAC. A vertebrate paleontologist and the Gretchen Augustyn Director of the Dinosaur Institute, he has conducted extensive research on the evolution of dinosaurs, particularly on their evolutionary connection with birds. Dr. Chiappe’s research has been published in nearly 200 scholarly articles, he’s also the author of Walking on Eggs, Glorified Dinosaurs, and Birds of Stone. He is a J. S. Guggenheim Fellow, a Humboldt Awardee, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and an Adjunct Professor at USC.

Michelle Barboza-Ramirez (they/them)

Michelle is a queer latinx naturalist and geoscience educator born and raised in Los Angeles county. In their work life, they teach people about rocks and fossils and plants and stuff… and in their off time they totally do that too. Michelle’s past projects include working in the education departments of the National Park Service and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles to expand community connections with urban nature and advocate for outdoor equity in LA. Currently, Michelle splits their time between working in higher ed and filming videos with PBS Eons. In their infinite free time, Michelle can be found hiking and birding their way through the western US.

Website: www.pbs.org/show/eons/

Gabriel-Philip Santos
Gabriel-Philip Santos is a paleontologist, educator, and storyteller. Originally studying the evolution of marine mammals, he now focuses on science education as the Director of Visitor Engagement at the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology and as a host of PBS Eons. He is also the co-founder of the Cosplay for Science Initiative and a 2021 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions.

Website: www.linktr.ee/PaleoParadoX 

Jenna Thornhill
Jenna Thornhill is an artist, musician, and library worker born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Her sculptural challah pieces take as inspiration from the endless wells of nature, culture, and history of Los Angeles.

Website: www.corpoearthburglar.press 

Chef Albert Daniel
My culinary journey began 10 years ago when I taught myself to make cake pops to share with family and friends. I discovered my passion for creating unique treats with the power to delight. Against all odds, I fought to turn my dreams into a reality. Now, I have expanded my line of desserts. I evolved into what I’ve always wanted: a chocolatier and confectioner. 

Website: www.albertspetitesweets.com

Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Rincon Consultants, Inc. was founded in 1994 and has grown to be a leading environmental consulting firm throughout California. Our guiding principles and core values hold strong to this day, including providing responsive professional services to both public and private sector clients throughout the state. 

Website: www.rinconconsultants.com

Cogstone

Cogstone Resource Management specializes in paleontology, archaeology, and history. We serve both public and private sector clients throughout the United States. 

Website: www.cogstone.com

Living Collections
Did you know the museum has a team of professional animal keepers on site 365 days a year? They take excellent care of all animals on exhibit and behind the scenes at the museum, utilizing the natural history expertise of our scientists as well as our veterinarian, who advises on any medical and nutritional needs. Because even a frog needs a doctor sometimes. We have around 15-25 species of vertebrates, and 70-100 species of invertebrates at any given time.  
Follow Living Collections on Instagram @nhmla_liveanimals

Museum Educators

The Museum Educator team at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County are the knowledgeable staff that enhance the visitor experience through personal interaction. Through research and training, Museum Educators create and facilitate educational programs for general museum visitors, for school groups, and for special events, both in-person and virtual.

Performing Arts

The team behind the Performing Arts department at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County creates live theatrical performances based on our exhibits, research, collections, and events. Learn more about this unique program HERE. 

Research and Collections
The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County protect and share more than 35 million specimens and artifacts, the largest natural and cultural history collection in the western United States. The Research and Collections Department is the research institution within the museums. They create new knowledge through academic scholarship in history and science. Visitors can get up close to these fascinating objects and specimens, which are sometimes displayed in exhibitions and during museum events.