Small Dinosaurs, Big Questions: Paleontology Through Fossils, Phones, & Public Science

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.

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. 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.