How can the microscopic examination of fossils shed light on dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures? Ellen-Thérèse Lamm, the Museum of the Rockies’ Histology Lab Manager, will explain how paleohistology – the study of ancient tissues – can illuminate the answer in the fourth presentation of the Winter/Spring Science Inquiry Series.
The talk will be presented at the Museum of the Rockies at 600 W Kagy Blvd in Bozeman, Montana on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the museum’s Hager Auditorium.
The series, sponsored by the Gallatin Valley Friends of the Sciences, explores cutting edge science topics, their latest developments, and their relevance to society through speaker presentations followed by conversations between speaker and audience. The talks are free to the public.
In her presentation, entitled ‘Dinosaurs on “the Cutting-Edge”: Understanding Extinct Animals through Paleohistology,’ Lamm will describe the “cutting-edge” thin-sectioning and microscopy techniques she uses, and how the work of the lab allows researchers, students, and investigators from around the word to make important discoveries about ancient life.
Photomicrograph of T-rex rib specimen collected from US Fish & Wildlife Service Lands.
Ms. Lamm holds a degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Cook College – Rutgers University, engaging in wolf research and managing the Museum of the Rockies’ live reptile collection before focusing on extinct reptiles in the museum’s histology lab initially as a member of paleontologist Jack Horner’s research team. She has more than 25 years experience in histology investigations, coordinates the lab’s work with researchers around the globe, and in 2013 co-edited a book on the “Bone Histology of Fossil Tetrapods.” Ms. Lamm has won several awards for her photographic images of fossil specimens.
The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for audience members to engage in conversation with Lamm in the museum lobby with light refreshments served.
The speaker presentation and audience participation segments together will last approximately an hour.