The NHMLAC Dinosaur Institute Fellowship Fund endowment supports Postdoctoral research scientists and advanced graduate students conducting original research in the Dinosaur Institute. It aims to expand our research, training, and outreach missions and increase the total representation of PhD scientists and graduate students among the ranks of NHMLAC's Research & Collections, cementing our crucial role as an incubator for future museum scientists.
The training and professional development of these researchers enhance NHMLAC's efforts in shaping the future of paleontology and museum science, and program alumni are extending the Museum’s intellectual footprint as they continue their professional careers. Postdoctoral scientists at NHMLAC benefit from the diverse collections, laboratory/analytical, and fieldwork-based resources of the Dinosaur Institute and Museum. Graduate students are primarily supported through a partnership with USC’s Department of Earth Sciences.
Researchers are supervised and mentored by Gretchen Augustyn Director of the Dinosaur Institute, Dr. Luis Chiappe, and Curator of the Dinosaur Institute, Dr. Nathan Smith. The endowment was created through the generous philanthropy of an anonymous donor.
Current Postdoctoral Researchers:
Dr. Zachary Morris (2024–)
Dinosaur Institute Postdoctoral Fellow
“Integrating developmental, anatomical, and paleontological perspectives into the origins of convergence in the reptile skull”
Dr. Hank Woolley (2023–)
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow
“Assessing the quality of the fossil record using a phylogenetic approach”
CURRENT PHD STUDENTS:
Paul Byrne (2020–)
NHMLAC Graduate-Student-in-Residence
“The origin of postcranial skeletal pneumaticity and complex pulmonary systems in early archosaurs”
Emily Patellos (2021–)
NHMLAC Graduate-Student-in-Residence
“Phylogenetic and ecological signals in archosauromorph osteoderm morphology”
POSTDOCTORAL ALUMNI:
Dr. Keegan Melstrom (2020–2022)
Assistant Professor, Biology
University of Central Oklahoma, Biology
WEBSITE
Dr. Pedro Mocho (2016–2018)
Instituto Dom Luiz, Faculdade de Ciências
Universidade de Lisboa
WEBSITE
Dr. Rachel Racicot (2015–2017)
Department of Messel Research
Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum
WEBSITE
Dr. Alyssa Bell (2013–2021)
Senior Paleontologist
Stantec
WEBSITE
Dr. Becky Wu (2022–2023)
Research Associate, The Dinosaur Institute
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
GRADUATE STUDENT ALUMNI:
Dr. Becky Wu (2018–2022)
Dinosaur Institute Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Dr. Nathan Carroll (2014–2020)
Curator of Paleontology
Carter County Museum
WEBSITE
Dr. Alyssa Bell (2007–2013)
Senior Paleontologist
Stantec
WEBSITE
Dr. Jingmai O’Connor (2004–2009)
Associate Curator of Fossil Reptiles
The Field Museum of Natural History
WEBSITE
Dr. Hank Woolley (2017–2023)
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow
“Assessing the quality of the fossil record using a phylogenetic approach”
WEBSITE
Kiersten Formoso (2018–2023)
Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
Rutgers University
WEBSITE
Contact Us:
For information about the NHMLAC Dinosaur Institute Fellowship Fund, and Postdoctoral and graduate training opportunities in the Dinosaur Institute, contact Dr. Nathan Smith.
Postdocs and Students at work and in the field:
