Incredible find at the used bookstore today

For #FossilFriday, here’s my favorite view of the Basilosaurus in the @ummnh.bsky.social lobby

I am especially proud of this CT scan model made out of partially transparent laminated CT slices on a hanging folder stand.

Had a fun time showing some of my research at the Scientist Spotlight @ummnh.bsky.social today!

A humerus, pelvis, and femur from a beautifully preserved Sinopa (early carnivorous mammal) from the Bridger Fm (50 mya) of Wyoming. On loan from the Burke Museum for CT scanning here at UMich! #FossilFriday

The real trick is this tissue I add underneath the foam block when I stick it in the container. Before I started doing this, it was really hard to pull the foam out because of the snug fit, but now I just gently pull on the tissue paper and everything comes out with no stress on the fossil.

The cut to the midpoint of the foam opens so the fossil can be easily put in and taken out, while still holding without wobbling during the scan. This same piece has held lots of different shapes - everything from long bone to mystery chunks - I just change how much padding I add around the fossil.

Finally figured out a good reusable mount set up for the smaller fossils I’m currently working on! The foam cylinder is cut to fit snuggly in the plastic container.

I decided that our museum director needed a new name sign for his office. Shout out to @alex-fictus.bsky.social for the lovely Titanichthys sticker

Come see my post tonight if you’re interested in some weird “archaic” mammals #SVP2024

Excited to be back in my hometown for #SVP2024! There’s a lot of cool stuff to do here, but if you have a couple hours I highly recommend the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s only a mile from the hotel, easy to get to by bus, and has free admission.

This collection started well before I got to Michigan but working in the same building as a museum shop has not helped….

In a little over a week, I’ll be opening the Romer session at #SVP2023 with a talk on the functional diversification of lumbar vertebrae in Paleogene mammals!

Hi, I’m Anne! I’m a paleontologist studying the evolution of locomotion in mammals. I do a lot with 3D data/ scanning and post tutorials about these techniques on my YouTube channel. I just started a 3 year term at University of Michigan as a postdoctoral fellow!