Dinosaur Institute Staff Biographies | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

Luis Chiappe, Curator and Director

As the Director of the Dinosaur Institute, I supervise all of the Institute's programs. My research is centered around the evolution of archosaurs, a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, pterosaurs (flying reptiles), dinosaurs and their descendants, the birds. My research takes me all over the world, and is strongly based on field work-over the last 20 years, I have conducted field work in United States, Argentina, Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan. One of the core programs of my research is the origin and early evolution of birds. Together with my students and associates, I have documented the existence of numerous species of Mesozoic birds and nonavian theropod dinosaurs, and provided detailed analyses of their genealogical relationships. The foundation provided by these genealogical studies have led to inferences about the evolution of many attributes of birds and it has helped to decipher the evolutionary steps taken between the dinosaurian forerunners of early birds and their modern counterparts. Another important program of my research activities deals with the reproductive behavior and development of sauropod dinosaurs. Much of this work has been centered in the exceptional sauropod nesting site of Auca Mahuevo, in Patagonia (Argentina), a site my associates and I discovered in 1997. I am also an Adjunct Professor at University of Southern California and a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim and the Alexander Humboldt foundations.

E-mail: chiappe@nhm.org 

Doug Goodreau, Senior Paleontological Preparator and Lab Manager

As Lab Supervisor of the Dinosaur Institute, I'm responsible for training, advising and directly assisting our volunteers, in addition to contract paleontological preparatory staff, in all phases of fossil preparation. With over 15 years of experience, I currently organize crews and equipment for national/international field expeditions in an effort to continuously build our dinosaur collection at the Museum. Our team does everything from prospecting, discovering, documenting, and collecting fossil material brought into our lab, which is then cleaned thoroughly using state-of-the-art equipment, materials and techniques. We're constantly challenged by the delicate nature and wide range of fossil remains to be stabilized as proficiently as possible, which in turn is often molded, cast and painted for exhibit/networking with other institutions. My service in the United States Marine Corps right out of high school prepared me well for the many harsh conditions we often face when doing fieldwork each season. I have also pursued careers in special effects makeup and as an embalmer, specializing in restorative art (the reconstruction of severely traumatized human remains). These skills have also been supplemented by college studies in geology and biology. I never could have imagined my childhood fascination with dinosaurs would come full circle with the fossil preparation work I do at the Dinosaur Institute. As varied as my background expertise and interests have been, they have enabled me to become an invaluable tool in the Dinosaur Institute at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

E-mail: dgoodrea@nhm.org

Paige Johnson, Curatorial Assistant

As Curatorial Assistant for As the Dinosaur Institute, I work closely with the collection. I graduated from Occidental College with a degree in Philosophy and Studio Art, however, I have always had a strong interest in biology and natural science, especially biodiversity and evolution. I first became involved with the museum through volunteering in the Marine Biodiversity Processing Center, where I realized how much I enjoyed working in collections. I am thrilled to have been able to work on the new exhibit because in addition to being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it was also a chance for me to learn more about the context and history of the collection of the Dinosaur Institute.

E-mail: kjohnson@nhm.org

Stephanie Abramowicz, Scientific Illustrator

As illustrator and photographer for the Dinosaur Institute, I utilize my passions for detail, precision, and aesthetics by engaging scientific research with artistic sensibility. I received my BFA (with emphasis in painting and drawing) from the University of Southern California Roski School of Fine Arts, and I have been working with the Dinosaur Institute since 2006. The images I make are often photographs, line drawings, fleshed out renderings, or skeletal reconstructions.  They are used to interpret anatomical information in scientific publications, graduate proposals, exhibits, and press releases.  In addition to illustration, I also participate in fieldwork with the Dinosaur Institute, which includes mapping quarries and locating and excavating fossil specimens. It's great to be involved in so many different aspects of dinosaur research, from fieldwork to visual reconstruction and preparation of figures for publication. For me, the challenge of combining scientific processes and art is exciting, and this is what I find most appealing about my work.

E-mail: sabramow@nhm.org

Doyle Trankina, Paleontological Reconstruction Artist

I graduated from the University of Southern California where I studied sculpture and illustration. Years of working in the entertainment, toy and product prototyping and fine art production has helped me develop the dexterity and technical aptitude necessary for fossil preparation, prospecting, and field excavation. As an artist for the Dinosaur Institute and the Museum, I produce artwork for museum exhibitions and publications, particularly for the new Dinosaur Hall that opened in 2011.

E-mail: dtrankin@nhm.org

Other Work

Robert Cripps, Paleontological Preparator

A childhood love of dinosaurs and previous volunteer work at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum has led to my current position as a Paleontological Preparator here at the Dinosaur Institute. Originally from Adelaide, South Australia and having a background in special effects makeup and photography, I have always held a strong appreciation for the Earth Sciences and enjoy working as a team player in this fascinating department. Not only is everyday a satisfying learning experience but it also yields a high degree of satisfaction from being involved in such important work for what is truly one of North America's finest museums.

E-mail: rcripps@nhm.org

Karl Urhausen, Paleontological Preparator

I received a BFA in painting from California State University Long Beach. A great love of the past has lead me to diverse fields of interests from contraptionaria, to Fine Model building, Miniatures and instrument making. I have a background in Painting, Sculpture and antiquities conservation, with an emphasis on the preservation of leather and wood.
As a preparator for the Dinosaur Institute I am called upon to utilize a full range of skills. Every piece presents a series of challenges that require unique solutions. In the world of the museum one can easily get lost, sooner or later you may end up as part of an exhibit!

E-mail: kurhause@nhm.org

Maureen Walsh, Paleontological Preparator

Being a preparator for the Dinosaur Institute, I combine my skills of both micro and macro preparation techniques to address the daunting task of preparing numerous fossil specimens for the new dinosaur galleries. A graduate of UCSD in Anthropology, my paleontology career began when I volunteered at the San Diego Natural History Museum in 2001. I turned what was a career in aviculture, wildlife rehabilitation and conservation into one that centered on museum collections and preparation. This career move is attributed to perfect timing, great people, a lifetime interest in natural history and following my dream! With almost 10 years of fossil preparation experience, I have a tactical understanding of specimen processing, preparation, and curation. For me, the challenge of doing high quality preparation while staying in budget is the goal. Reaching that goal makes everyday in the Dino Lab a unique and challenging experience. My research interests include Mesozoic and extant birds, parrot conservation and island biogeography.

E-mail: mwalsh@nhm.org