Many Paleoclub members are involved in research. Undergraduate research is generally facilitated by professors and staff in the geology department who are willing to advise senior theses and independent study. The Paleoclub can help introduce students interested in research to faculty willing to advise in their field. Topics of members' research include micropaleontology and both vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology. Some members have published papers and abstracts in paleontology journals. Members have presented research at the annual meetings of both the Geological Society of America and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.
This year the Paleoclub is sending eight representatives to the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Two are presenting research, and the rest are attending to plan their own work.
During the summer of 2003, many Paleoclub members were involved with fieldwork. The Geology Museum sent students to two dinosaur fossil localities this year, in Montana and Wyoming. Members also participated in a vertebrate site in British Columbia. Work was done on invertebrates in Eastern Europe and Utah. There is also ongoing work studying vertebrate fossils in Wisconsin caves.
Field areas:
British Columbia (vertebrate)
Hungary (invertebrate)
Montana (vertebrate)
Utah (invertebrate)
Wisconsin (vertebrate)
Wyoming (vertebrate)
Student funding awards:
2002 $200 ASM operations grant Paleoclub
2003 $250 ASM operations grant Paleoclub
2003 $3000 Hilldale Undergraduate Research Award Summer Ostrowski
2003 Pending ASM travel grant Paleoclub
MSSPR:
In 2004 we founded and hosted MSSPR, the Midwest Symposium of Student Paleontologic Research which was invented as a venue for students throughout the midwest to present thier research in paleontolgy to other students and professors. Our goal is to provide opportunities for students to take part in research, as well as, opportunities for students with the same interests to come together, share a passion and to reach out to the public.
