Hello from down yonder, it’s Alejandro!
Reporting in after a mind-blowing odyssey at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Conference
of 2023, held in the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio. Hailing from the golden state of California, I
embarked on this thrilling journey with the fervent desire to forge connections and delve into the
very essence of paleontology.
Picture this: a transcontinental shift from the West Coast to the Midwest, a seismic change in
environment that unfolded into an awe-inspiring adventure. My name echoing through the halls
of discovery, I set out with two formidable goals – to weave a tapestry of connections and to
plunge headfirst into the mesmerizing world of paleontological wonders.
And did I succeed? Oh, dear reader, I not only met my goals, but I soared past them with the
ferocity of a pterosaur in flight! The conference unveiled a tapestry of reunions with comrades
from past fieldwork expeditions, a rekindling of old flames in the pursuit of knowledge. But that’s
just the beginning.
In the midst of this scientific symphony, I brushed shoulders with the titans of paleontology.
Lawrence Witmer, a legend who once graced the halls of my childhood inspiration, became
more than a name on a paper. Faces that had been confined to Zoom calls and email
signatures materialized into the vibrant personalities of Andre Rowe and Evan
Johnsons-Ransom, igniting a flame of inspiration that still roars within me.
But it wasn’t just about the seasoned experts; it was about standing shoulder to shoulder with
my peers, fresh faces hungry for discovery, forging a sense of community that resonated
through the fossilized corridors of time. Validation surged through me like a thunderous dinosaur
grumble.
Amidst this whirlwind of camaraderie, I stumbled upon unexpected treasures. Fate smiled upon
me, granting an internship with a paleontological powerhouse, specializing in the very fabric of
excavation, preparation, molding, casting, and the digital wizardry of 3D modeling and printing,
all dedicated to resurrecting the majesty of fossil fauna, especially dinosaurs.
Yet, the conference was not just a scientific haven; it was a haven for artists, authors, and
visionaries who painted the canvas of paleontology with strokes of beauty. Their creativity
sparked a fire within me, a burning desire to contribute to this community through the trifecta of
research, education, and art.
And so, here I stand, my foot firmly planted in the rich soil of hands-on paleontological
exploration. The beginning, a mere prologue to a story yet unwritten. The future, an
undiscovered landscape awaiting the imprint of my footsteps. What lies ahead, you ask? Stay
tuned, fellow enthusiasts, for my FEA project awaits—the Finite Element Analysis of
Torvosaurus tanneri. For this is my calling with the assimilation of a new reconstruction of its
skull and viewing the new material found for it, it is my calling. The adventure has just begun,
and I invite you all to join me on this thrilling expedition into the depths of prehistoric marvels.
The saga continues, and the echoes of discovery reverberate through time.