Ron Tykoski Email & Phone Number

Texas, United States

Dallas, Texas, United States

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

As the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology I am tasked with the care and preservation of the vertebrate fossil collections of the Perot Museum, as well as with engaging in collections-based research. In addition to working with the museum's skilled collections staff, I oversee a team of fossil preparators and volunteers in two active preparation labs, one on public exhibit and another behind the scenes. Activities in the labs range from mechanical preparation with pneumatic hand tools, to micro-vertebrate matrix screen washing, to molding and casting in a variety of media. Current research focus includes Arctic dinosaurs, Beringian Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems, and local and regional specimens in the Perot Museum's collections.

Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas

As the Director of the Paleontology Lab at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, I am responsible for leading a team of skilled professional technicians and volunteers in performing the fossil preparation work that supports the research program at the Perot Museum. Activities in the Paleo Lab range from sediment removal from delicate fossils, to molding and casting, microvertebrate sorting and picking, and the use of various means and methods to ensure the long-term preservation and curation of specimens in the collections. I am also called upon to investigate local and regional fossil finds of importance, and may then engage in leading teams that excavate the specimens. In addition to running the Paleontology Lab, I am involved in research projects with the Chief Curator, supporting his investigations into high-latitude dinosaur communities of the Late Cretaceous of Alaska. I also conduct collections based research on other specimens in the holdings of the Perot Museum, including fossils from the Big Bend region of west Texas. My personal research interests center on basal theropod dinosaur evolution, relationships, and growth patterns.

Dallas, Texas

As Fossil Preparator at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, I was responsible for extracting fossil material from any surrounding rock or sediment, reassembling and stabilizing the delicate remains, and making them ready for study or exhibition as needed. Other aspects of my work included molding and casting of specimens using a variety of media, as well as developing long-term storage systems for fragile fossils.

Texas Memorial Museum

Served as fossil preparator, splitting time between public-view fossil preparaton station in the Texas Memorial Museum exhibit area, and 'behind-the-scenes' work at the university's Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory.

Austin, Texas

Worked with Department of Geological Sciences faculty instructing undergraduate students in various courses in geological sciences, ranging from introductory-level to upper-division classes. Duties included lab section instruction, curriculum development, test-writing and grading. Research assistant work involved fossil preparation at the university's Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Worked in the fossil preparation laboratory assisting the Chief Preparator in fossil preparation, molding and casting fossil specimens ranging from Eocene whales to Paleocene primates, and screenwashing sediments for microvertebrate specimens.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

As a museum docent I interacted heavily with the public, providing informal exhibit interpretation as well as guided tours. Tour groups ranged in age from pre-K to senior citizens, with the majority of presentations given to elementary school groups. Also served in the museum's retail gift shop, and summer workshops.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Geology (Paleontology)

Master Of Science (Ms), Geology (Paleontology)

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Geology