Michael D'Emic

A surge in the number of dinosaur discoveries in recent decades has led to the announcement of species new to science every few weeks.

According to Dr. Michael D’Emic, “This mountain of new information has allowed paleontologists to take a closer look at dinosaurs, and every year we understand more about how they lived, grew, reproduced, evolved, and went extinct.”

D’Emic, assistant professor of biology at Adelphi University in New York, presents the first lecture in this summer’s “Draper After Dark” series at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody. The free talk, “How Fast Did Dinosaurs Grow Up?”, takes place Wednesday, June 19, at 5:15 p.m. in the Center’s Coe Auditorium.

The question is one of the most common and outstanding questions about dinosaurs. In his talk, D’Emic discusses new techniques that allow paleontologists to interpret the micro-anatomy of bones to better understand age and growth rate, as well as to infer health and metabolism.

“These cutting-edge studies are leading to an increasing appreciation for the diversity of dinosaur life, including the origin of dinosaurs’ modern descendants, birds,” said D’Emic.

An expert in dinosaur anatomy, growth, and evolution, D’Emic has published nearly 30 research articles. His field research centers on the Big Horn Basin, where he has led fossil excavations for more than a decade. He has traveled to museums around the world for research, and participated in excavations in Utah, Arizona, New York and Madagascar.

The Draper Natural History Museum’s “Draper After Dark” lecture series is supported by Sage Creek Ranch and the Nancy-Carroll Draper Foundation. The remaining lectures take place July 18 and Aug. 22.