25 years of "B-rex": One Pretty Amazing Dinosaur
In 2000, former Museum of the Rockies Chief Preparator Bob Harmon uncovered a remarkable T. rex fossil in Montana; later dubbed “B-Rex.” This specimen would spark one of the most groundbreaking discoveries in paleontology: evidence of soft tissue structures, including blood vessels and cells, preserved in 68-million-year-old bone. In this lecture, Dr. Mary Schweitzer recounts the scientific journey from initial skepticism to global impact, and how advanced technologies like molecular analysis and synchrotron imaging are helping unlock secrets once thought lost to time. Discover how B-Rex is redefining what we know about fossilization and dinosaur biology.
What can fossils teach us about the world today? Discoveries made by paleontologists continue to shed new light on the deep past of the planet and the creatures that arose here. This speaker series explores recent paleontological findings and current hypotheses as conveyed by scientists who are actively exploring how life on Earth has changed. After the lecture, there will be a meet-and-greet with refreshments.

Hager Auditorium
Included with membership, $5/non-member
Registration is required

Dr. Mary Schweitzer is a professor of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University and a trailblazing paleontologist known for discovering soft tissue in dinosaur fossils. Raised in Montana, she was inspired by childhood books and eventually earned her Ph.D. from Montana State University. Her research explores how molecules, such as proteins and DNA, survive over deep time, revealing new insights into ancient life. When not in the lab or field, she enjoys scuba diving, horseback riding, and spending time with her family.