Paleontology

I am a master’s candidate in geology at California State University, Long Beach, conducting paleontological research that integrates traditional and geometric morphometrics with paleoenvironmental interpretation. My research focuses on the morphology of fossilized Miocene mako shark (Isurus spp.) teeth, examining patterns of size and shape variation in relation to long-term oceanic and climatic change.

In addition to elasmobranch research, my work includes quantitative analyses of extinct terrestrial vertebrates such as pronghorns, bison, and vultures. Across all projects, I apply rigorous morphometric methods, museum-based specimen research, and field observations to address questions of evolution, ecology, and environmental change.

Paleontology Collections Internship

During a year-long paleontology fossil collections internship at the County of Orange Paleontology and Archaeology Collections (COPA; formerly known as the Cooper Center), I worked extensively with fossil shark teeth, focusing on specimen documentation, digitization, and 3D visualization.

• Identified, sorted, and cataloged Isurus shark teeth specimens

• Re-housed specimens using archival-grade materials

• Photographed specimens for digital records and research use

• Captured high-resolution 3D scans using an Artec Eva scanner

• Processed and edited 3D models in Artec Studio and Sketchfab for visualization and outreach

This work supported both research accessibility and long-term collections management standards.