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The Dundas lab specializes in Quaternary vertebrate paleontology.

The lab is structured so that students can obtain a well-rounded education in vertebrate paleontology. This includes training in field techniques (fossil excavation, bulk sediment sample processing), laboratory work (fossil preparation, conservation, molding/casting), curation and collections management, paleontological resource assessment and impact mitigation, writing grant/contract proposals, project management, and professional writing. Student research opportunities include both field and collections based projects.

lab members

Dr. Robert G. Dundas

Bob Dundas is a vertebrate paleontologist specializing in the study of Quaternary mammals of North America.

Graduate Students

Danny Tovar is studying the Irvingtonian homotheres of North America. He presented a poster at the 2008 Society of Vertebrate Paleontology meeting in Cleveland, Ohio on Scimitar cat (Homotherium) specimens from the Fairmead Landfill and Irvington localities in California.

Robin Trayler recently completed a study of mastodon (Mammut americanum) specimens in the Rancho La Brea collection of the University of California Museum of Paleontology. He is now working on his master's thesis research on stable isotope analysis of megaherbivores and large carnivores from the late Pleistocene McKittrick tar seeps in Kern County, California. The results will permit paleoecological comparisons between the McKittrick and Rancho La Brea faunas.

Yesenia Ibarra recently completed a project describing a new Giant Bison (Bison latifrons) discovery in Fresno, California. She is currently developing a master's thesis project studying rare earth elements of late Cretaceous marine reptiles and dinosaurs of the Moreno Formation in California.

My My Ngo recently presented preliminary results on the middle Irvingtonian birds from the Fairmead Landfill locality. She will be adding an analysis of the birds from the type Irvington locality to her study as well as review the Irvingtonian bird record of North America.

Bob Koons is working on an interdisciplinary studies thesis project, examining soil compaction and recovery associated with early to mid 20th century Sierran railroad logging.

Lab Affiliates

Paleontology colleagues associated with the lab include Jeff Anglen (Department Lecturer & Fairmead Landfill project fossil preparator/monitor), Kerry Workman-Ford (Department Lecturer), Niranjala Kottachchi (Field Supervisor, Fairmead Landfill project), and Dr. Jim Chatters (Principal Paleontologist, Fairmead Landfill Project).

California state university, fresno

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences

Students interested in pursuing undergraduate research or a Master of Science degree should contact Dr. Dundas. Also, view the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences website at the following link for an overview of the department and program structure.

Dept Website