T YLER J.
K ERR 1008 R EYNOLDS S T .
L ARAMIE , WY 82072
Curriculum Vitae, 2013
TYLERJAMESKERR @ GMAIL .
COM
C ELL P HONE : (720) 236-2519
H IGHER E DUCATION __________________________________________________________
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
Master’s degree, August 2013 to present. Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, May 2011
Advisor: Mark T. Clementz Major: Geosciences, GPA 3.62 (Rank 95/540)
C AREER GOALS _______________________________________________________________
I aim to strengthen my background in research methods, field methods, and laboratory preparation techniques related to early mammal paleontology. Upon completion of doctorate research, I plan to pursue an academic career in vertebrate paleontology to examine a wide range of evolutionary questions.
R ESEARCH I NTERESTS __________________________________________________________
(i) Cenozoic paleobiology and paleoecology
(ii) Morphological and phylogenetic history of archaeocetes and cetaceans
(iii) The evolutionary origins of Cetacea
(iv) Relationship between mammalian dentition and paleoecology/paleodiet
(v) Relationship between inner ear morphology and behavior, locomotion, and habitat
(vi) Morphological diversity and divergence of Cenozoic megafauna
P ALEONTOLOGICAL WORK EXPERIENCE ______________________________________________
Lab Intern – Denver Museum of Nature and Science Fossil Prep Lab, volunteer 2012 to present
Paleontological Field Technician – SWCA Environmental Consultants, contract Sep. 2011
Field Intern – Denver Museum of Nature and Science Snowmastodon Project, May to July 2011
Teaching Assistant – F&M Earth and Environment Dept., Spring Semester 2011
Student Fossil Curator – F&M Earth and Environment Dept., Aug 2008 to May 2011 (on call)
R ESEARCH EXPERIENCE _________________________________________________________
Undergraduate senior thesis with faculty advisor Dr. Roger Thomas, entitled “From Pakicetus to
Porpoises: Patterns of Change in Complexity in the Evolution of Whale Teeth,” presented at the March
2011 Northeastern/North-Central GSA Meeting. This project scrutinized philosophical assumptions of increasing complexity over geologic time through examination of odontocete and archaeocete dentitions. The analysis provided an opportunity to assess changes using both a large sample size and a wide variation in jaws and teeth. The study utilized morphological and phylogenetic analysis of extant and extinct cetaceans using collections found primarily at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural
History and its Museum Support Center at Suitland, MD and at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons,
MD.
A WARDS __________________________________________________________________

Departmental Honors for Independent Research in Geology, 2011

2009-2010 Lloyd S. Yeakel Memorial Award for Sedimentology

Dean’s List (4 semesters)

Honors List (2 semesters)

Recipient of Trustees Award (F&M College 2007 to 2011)
F IELD E XPERIENCE ____________________________________________________________

Snowmastodon Project (Intern, May 2011 - July 2011). A seven-week large-scale excavation of
Snowmass Village’s Ziegler Reservoir directed by Dr. Kirk Johnson and Dr. Ian Miller.
Responsibilities included moving sediment and excavating exposed material, plastering and

transporting casts, managing volunteers and ensuring proper handling of discovered specimens, monitoring on-site heavy machinery excavators to ensure material is undamaged,
 reporting to team leaders, gathering and organizing tools for 200+ volunteers.
Earthwatch Institute Green River Paleontological Expedition (Volunteer, Aug. 2006). Field work under Dr. Jim Kirkland and Dr. Lindsay Zanno. Excavation and field preparation of
Falcarius utahensis and historically associated early Cretaceous fauna from the Yellow Cat member of Utah’s Cedar Mountain Formation.

Boston University School for Field Studies Study Abroad Program – Kenya (Student, Jan.to
May 2010). Primary goal of expedition was to examine the ecological and megafaunal effects of drought. Courses involved intense fieldwork in the East African Rift Valley and lessons in
Swahili. Lectures included lessons in four main subject areas: wildlife ecology, environmental policy, wildlife management, and socio-cultural studies. Capstone project was a month-long directed research project titled “An Assessment of Range Condition & Trend in a Maasai
Group Ranch of the Amboseli Region, Kenya.”

Michigan Technological University East African Geologic Field Camp (Student, May to Jun.
2010). Directed by Dr. James Woods, this course taught fundamentals of modern geologic mapping in areas of geologic significance through analysis of rift and associated horst-graben processes in the vicinity of Nairobi, volcanic activity in Hell’s Gate National Park, and trona and salt flats along Lake Magadi.
S OCIETIES & M EMBERSHIPS ____________________________________________________

F&M Geological Society (President from 2009 to 2011; member from 2007 to 2011)

Western Interior Paleontological Society (WIPS)

Paleontological Society (PS)

Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM)

American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG)
S KILLSET _________________________________________________________________

Use of fossil preparation tools as well as adhesives and consolidants on both macro- and micro fossils in the lab and out in the field. Experience includes air scribes, dental tools, bamboo
 tools, pin vises.
Instruction in plaster field jacketing and other excavation techniques (pedestaling, trenching and consolidating specimens in situ).

Experience with field screen-washing and bone cleaning practices.

Use of rock saws and other geological power tools and machinery.

Use of GPS (Trimble), GIS (Esri, ArcGIS), and 3D map modeling techniques.

Works well independently, and in a team or group setting.

Skilled in oral and written communication, naturally communicative. Able to articulate complex ideas in a meaningful way through affable, engaging and confident attitude.

Resourceful under pressure, excellent problem-solving abilities.
O THER I NTERESTS ___________________________________________________________

Skiing, rock climbing, camping, hiking.

Languages: English (native, proficient), German (functional, spoken and written).
R EFERENCES _______________________________________________________________
D R .
R OGER T HOMAS
Professor of Geoscience,
Paleontologist.
Franklin & Marshall College,
Earth and Environment Dept.
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604-3003
(717) 291-4135 roger.thomas@fandm.edu
D R .
C AROL D E W ET
Professor of Geoscience,
Sedimentologist.
Franklin & Marshall College,
Earth and Environment Dept.
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604-3003
(717) 291-4388 carol.dewet@fandm.edu
H EATHER F INLAYSON
Preparator,
Paleontologist.
Denver Museum of Nature and
Science
2001 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80231
(303) 370-8328 heather.finlayson@dmns.org
D R .
I AN M ILLER
Dept. Chair of Earth Sciences,
Curator of Paleontology.
Denver Museum of Nature and
Science
2001 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80231
(303) 370-8351 ian.miller@dmns.org