Articles for category: Scientist Spotlight

Paul Sereno

Paul Sereno: The Modern-Day Explorer Uncovering Africa’s Lost Dinosaurs

Paul Sereno is one of paleontology’s most charismatic and accomplished figures, a modern-day Indiana Jones whose expeditions across Africa’s unforgiving deserts have revolutionized our understanding of dinosaur evolution. With his keen eye for fossil-rich landscapes and an adventurous spirit, Sereno has unearthed some of the most significant dinosaur specimens ever discovered on the African continent. ...

a view of the earth from space

Is It Possible to Replay Earth’s History Through Cosmic Light?

Imagine pressing rewind on the universe itself and watching Earth’s entire 4.6-billion-year story unfold backwards through space. What if I told you that scattered across the cosmos, fragments of our planet’s ancient light are still traveling through the void, carrying with them the secrets of dinosaur extinctions, the first flowering plants, and even the birth ...

a dinosaur skeleton standing on top of a rock

When Paleontology Goes Viral: Social Media’s Dino Moments

Picture this: you’re scrolling through your Instagram feed when suddenly, a 100-million-year-old dinosaur fossil stops you dead in your tracks. The post has millions of likes, thousands of comments, and everyone’s talking about it. Welcome to the wild world where ancient creatures meet modern technology, where dusty museum specimens become internet sensations overnight. Social media ...

a close-up of some rocks

Why We’ll Never Clone a Dinosaur: The Science Behind DNA’s Expiration Date

The iconic scene from Jurassic Park where scientists extract dinosaur DNA from mosquitoes trapped in amber has captivated audiences for decades. This Hollywood magic sparked a global fascination with the possibility of bringing these magnificent creatures back to life. However, the harsh reality of molecular biology tells a dramatically different story than Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster ...

a group of animals in space

Earth’s Ever-Changing Day Length: From Dinosaurs to Now

Imagine standing in the footsteps of a mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, watching the sun set over an ancient landscape. But here’s something that might blow your mind: that prehistoric sunset would have arrived much sooner than today’s. The day that T-rex experienced was only about 23 hours long, not the 24 hours we’re accustomed to. This ...

a person standing next to a dinosaur statue

Alan Grant’s Character Arc: Jurassic Park Dino Skeptic to Survivor

Picture this: a world-renowned paleontologist who has spent decades studying fossilized bones suddenly comes face-to-face with living, breathing dinosaurs. The theoretical becomes terrifyingly real, and everything he thought he knew about these ancient creatures gets turned upside down. This is exactly what happens to Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park saga, and his journey ...