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Dr Dean Lomax is an internationally recognized palaeontologist, author, and TV presenter specializing in ichthyosaurs ('sea dragons'). He currently holds an Honorary Research Fellow position at the University of Manchester's Earth and Environmental Sciences department and is an 1851 Research Fellow at the University of Bristol. Despite an unconventional academic path that didn't include undergraduate studies, Lomax has established himself as a leading authority in his field through extensive fieldwork, research publications, and science communication.
Dr Lomax's research interests span ichthyosaurs, dinosaurs, plesiosaurs, ammonites, trace fossils, plants, eurypterids, horseshoe crabs, and historical figures like Mary Anning. His work focuses on fossil discovery, taxonomic classification, and evolutionary relationships of marine reptiles, particularly across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary. His research contributes significantly to understanding ancient marine ecosystems and evolutionary patterns.
His publications reveal a strong focus on ichthyosaur taxonomy and anatomy, with particular emphasis on UK fossil sites. Lomax frequently employs advanced imaging techniques like computed tomography in his work and has contributed to discussions about open access publishing in paleontology. His research often bridges academic paleontology with public engagement.
- Gold medal for science communication at the Houses of Parliament
As a science communicator, Lomax regularly appears on television as an expert and presenter, notably co-hosting the primetime series Dinosaur Britain. In 2021, he led the excavation of the 'Rutland Sea Dragon,' the most complete skeleton of a large prehistoric reptile ever found in the UK, and presented a TED talk about this discovery. He is also part of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life (ICAL) research project.
