工作人员 和 students of the Paleontology 研究 Lab excavated the backbone of a sauropod dinosaur from the famous Late Jurassic Morrison Formation. Artist reconstruction of <em>Carnufex carolinensis</em>, an ancient crocodylomorph that roamed North Carolina 231 million years ago. Paleontology 研究 Lab scientists use polarized light microscopy to study growth 和 disease in fossilized dinosaur bone. Scientists from the Paleontology 研究 Lab give interactive presentations about current research in the museum's free Daily Planet Theater each month.

概述

The Paleontology 研究 Laboratory (PRL) is a glass-walled, on-exhibit science lab located on the 3rd floor of the Nature 研究 Center, 和资助 by an innovative partnership between the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 和 North Carolina State University (NCSU). The PRL serves as a new model for 21st century science, synthesizing active paleontological research, 实地考察, 和 citizen science programs, with graduate 和 undergraduate student 培训, K-12 education, teacher treks, 和 science communication efforts—all on display in front of museum visitors.

The Lab is directed by Dr. Lindsay Zanno, a vertebrate paleontologist with a joint position at the NCMNS 和 NCSU, who supervises its research focus, technical goals, field expeditions, 和 graduate program. Zanno Lab staff 和 students study the evolutionary history of Archosauria—the dominant terrestrial megafauna of the Mesozoic Era—including birds, crocodiles, 和 non-avian dinosaurs. The PRL is home to the Zanno Lab’s resident NCSU graduate students 和 postdoctoral researchers 和 hosts several NCSU courses taught by Zanno including Paleontological Field Methods 和 Archosaurian Anatomy.

PRL in-house technical capabilities include blue light 和 laser three-dimensional surface scanning, 3D printing, polarized microscopy, paleohistology, Computed Tomographic reconstruction software, 和 fossil specimen conservation/preparation facilities. You can follow along with PRL 实地考察 at our social media platform, Expedition Live! or in real time on Twitter @Expeditionlive. Learn more about Dr. Zanno’s research program 和 the paleobiology graduate program at NC State University at the Zanno Lab website.

The PRL also serves as the preparation hub for the Paleontology Unit at the NCMNS, 培训 和 enlisting dozens of community volunteers in professional fossil conservation practice. Conservation st和ards 和 technical management of the lab is supervised by Lisa Herzog. Individuals interested in volunteering to learn the practice of fossil preparation should first contact Sarah Irizarry, Head of Volunteer 和 Intern Services, at 莎拉.irizarry@866905.com or 919.707.9880 和 register as a Museum volunteer.

Want to support the Paleontology 研究 Lab? Donate to the Paleontology 研究 & Expedition Fund. Gifts to this fund directly support paleontological 实地考察 和 research at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, under the guidance of PGL Head, Dr. Lindsay Zanno.

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