Presenting Prehistory: Small Dinosaurs, Big Questions: Paleontology Through Fossils, Phones, & Public Science with Dr. Haviv Avrahami, Museum of the Rockies

From the discovery of a possible burrowing dinosaur, Fona herzogae, to cutting-edge 3D scanning and digital reconstruction techniques, paleontologist Dr. Haviv Avrahami explores how new technology is reshaping the field of paleontology. This engaging talk takes you behind the scenes of modern fossil research, showcasing how mobile 3D scanning and photogrammetry are helping scientists document fragile specimens in the field and build high-resolution digital models for study and public access. Dr. Avrahami will also dive into the latest research on small-bodied ornithischians, the unsung dinosaurs of the Mesozoic, and highlight how collaborations with citizen scientists are enhancing education and broadening participation in paleontological discovery. Learn how digital tools are breaking down barriers and opening new windows into the prehistoric world.
Dr. Haviv Avrahami is a paleontologist who recently earned his PhD from NC State University, where he studied ornithischian dinosaurs, including a possible burrowing plant-eater from the mid-Cretaceous. He played a key role in the Cretaceous Creatures program, leading fossil collection, digital modeling, and development of a student-powered scientific database. Passionate about outreach, Avrahami works to make paleontology accessible to underrepresented and nontraditional students.

5:30 p.m. | Hager Auditorium
Included with membership, $5/non-member