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Fossils are often removed from the collections so they can be studied, and Jorgensen ensures that Webb students have access to specimens they need for their research projects in the Advanced Studies in Paleontology (ASIP) course. She also processes specimen loans to researchers at other museums throughout North America. Because Webb is doing online classes, Bailey is currently digitizing specimens, using laser scanning and photogrammetry, to give ASIP students remote access. She has multiple collections projects ongoing at any one time. A current example is tracking down locality data for anthill specimens from the Meng and Arner ranches (Nebraska) found by the Peccary Society in the 1950s. This involves searching through drawers and old card catalogs to locate the relevant information. Bailey also maintains and organizes the museum’s physical and digital archives, which includes old photographs of Ray Alf and Webb students on peccary trips. Jorgensen also helps collect fossils, and her favorite experience was being on the crew at the remote helicopter supported camp in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (Utah), where she excavated at the Cripe Site. She notes that “helping to find the fossils, and then continuing to take care of them back at the museum was awesome.” Eventually, Jorgensen hopes to earn an advanced degree involving lab work and fossil preservation techniques. In the meantime, she enjoys the many hiking and surfing opportunities that California has to offer.
Rendering of the dinosaur Leptoceratops, ©Hannah Caisse.
Alf Museum Hosts Science Illustration Intern Paleontologists may find the bones, but science illustrators are the ones who help bring the fossils back to life! A well-crafted illustration illuminates anatomy in the description of a dinosaur bone, or resurrects a long-gone prehistoric environment as it was in living color. During the past five years, the Alf Museum has hosted artists from Cal StateMonterey Bay as part of the university’s certificate program in science illustration. While in residence at the museum, the artists work on several projects to further research and outreach, while building their own professional portfolios as illustrators. The 2020 science illustration intern was Hannah Caisse. Prior to beginning formal studies in science illustration, Caisse completed her undergraduate studies in ecology and evolution at UC Santa Cruz, and had even published her illustrations in several books on natural history of California. Due to the Webb campus closure, Caisse completed her work remotely, while meeting regularly with museum staff over teleconference. She recently finished an illustration of the dinosaur Leptoceratops, in support of a Webb student research project, and is currently illustrating the prehistoric environment of eastern Wyoming, as revealed by fossils collected on peccary trips in the 1960s and 1970s. “Even with the most spectacular fossils, it still takes real skill to tell their story through art,” says Andy Farke. “I really enjoy seeing how Hannah is bringing a fresh new look to some of our historic discoveries.” “I love paleoart, because it is essentially the only way to experience fossils and extinct prehistoric creatures as close to reality as possible,” explains Caisse. “And, to be able to render extinct species very closely to current scientific literature is very rewarding.” Work produced during this internship will be included in scientific publications, public outreach materials, and social media communications.
