CV
Education
2021-Present: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, PhD in Vertebrate Paleontology
2013-2017: University of Bristol, MSci in Paleontology and Evolution
Publications
Keeble, E. & Benton, M.J. 2020. Three-dimensional tomographic study of dermal armour from the tail of the Triassic aetosaur Stagonolepis robertsoni, Scottish Journal of Geology 56: 55-62 https://doi.org/10.1144/sjg2019-026
Keeble, E., Whiteside, D.I. & Benton, M.J. 2018. The terrestrial fauna of the Late Triassic Pant-y-ffynnon Quarry fissures, South Wales, UK and a new species of Clevosaurus (Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia), Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association 129(2): 99-119 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2017.11.001
Conferences
Keeble, E., Fitch, A.J., Foffa, D., Paes Neto, V.D., Parker, W.G., Reyes, W.A. & Nesbitt, S.J. Quantifying the shape of the teeth of a rare herbivorous clade of archosaurs in the Triassic using 3D geometric morphometrics and discrete analysis. Talk presented at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology annual meeting; 2023 Oct 18-23
Keeble, E., Lecuona, A. & Hutchinson, J.R. Creation of a 3D skeletal model of an extinct reptile: comparing the movement of dinosaurs and their crocodile-line relatives. Talk presented at the Virginia Tech Geoscience Student Research Symposium; 2022 March 24-25 (Winner: Best talk of Friday afternoon session)
Panelist in Diversity Session 4: Mental Health at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Virtual Meeting; 2021 Nov 1-5
Keeble, E., Lecuona, A. & Hutchinson, J.R. 3D whole body reconstruction of the pseudosuchian Gracilisuchus stipanicicorum Romer, 1972, from microCT scan data. Lightning talk and poster presented at the European Association of Vertebrate Palaeontology annual meeting; 2021 July 6-9
Keeble, E., Parker, W.G., Nesbitt, S.J., Stocker, M.R. & Hutchinson, J.R. Insight into the osteology of an early aetosaurian archosaur from micro-CT scanning. Poster presented at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Virtual Meeting; 2020 Oct 12-16
Grants and Awards
2022 – Department of Geosciences Aubrey & Eula Orange Scholarship – $1000
Research Experience
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, USA) August 2021 – Present
Current project involves quantifying the morphology of aetosaur teeth to determine whether isolated teeth can be identified to the genus/species level, thus allowing us to better determine the diversity ecosystems represented primarily by microsites.
DawnDinos, Royal Veterinary College – Research Technician in 3D Anatomy (London, UK) March 2020-July 2021
Creating 3D models from CT scanned fossils of Triassic pseudosuchians using Materialise Mimics and Avizo for segmenting, 3-Matic, Maya, Rhino and Meshlab for clean-up and model positioning. Using existing MATLAB code to prepare models for biomechanical analysis in OpenSim by creating joint coordinate systems. This work is being finished for publication and will likely result in at least two papers.
Assisting two undergraduate students in own projects by providing demonstrations of software and tutoring on how to create and set up their own models.
University of Bristol – Research Intern (Bristol, UK) April-May 2019
Research project studying the 3D anatomy of an articulated section of aetosaur tail from Elgin, Scotland from micro-CT scans. The results of this project have now been published (Keeble and Benton, 2020).
University of Bristol – MSci Student (Bristol, UK) July 2016-May 2017
MSci project on the microvertebrate fauna of the Pant-y-ffynnon fissure fill deposits, Wales, UK. Acid preparing the material, extracting and identifying any fossils before determining the relative abundance of genera and making inferences about food webs. Also discovering and describing a new species of fossil rhynchocephalian Clevosaurus cambrica. (Keeble et al. 2018)
Museum Experience
Natural History Museum – 3D Anatomy Technician (London, UK) December 2020-January 2021
Creating 3D reconstructions from CT and surface scanned fossils of the fossil mammals collected by Darwin from South America on the voyage of the Beagle. Duties included surface scanning additional material, processing existing scans, identifying elements by comparison with other specimens in the fossil mammals collection and the literature, using Maya to create models, and consulting with Uruguayan colleagues to create the best possible reconstructions for outreach and dissemination.
Natural History Museum – Volunteer Fossil Preparator (London, UK) August 2019-January 2020
Working primarily on a sauropod from Niger using air scribes and air abrasion, creating Epopast cradles. Also assisted in acid preparation of Wealden material.
Natural History Museum – 3D Scanning Volunteer (London, UK) November 2018-May 2019
Working with the Pleistocene mammalian megafauna and other important collections including holotypes, laser scanning with a Faro arm and Creaform Go!SCAN handheld scanner and creating 3D models in Geomagic Wrap for research, data sharing and outreach. Writing project reports and blurbs to be shared alongside finished models. Received training on creating cavity molds and boxes for specimens.
Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station – Fossil Preparation Intern (Montana, USA) Summers 2018 and 2019
Cleaning and stabilizing fossils both already in the museum collections and fresh from the field. Using air scribes and acid preparation as well as making conservation cradles for collections and display. Attending meetings with the board. Leading visitors around and supervising external researchers working in the collections. Assisting in the creation of new displays. Participating in field excavation and prospecting. Assisting with the preparation for and smooth running of the Judith River Formation Symposium hosted by the museum.
Outreach and Writing
Instagram – Deinonychusfloof (Online) February 2019-Present
Running a scientific communication account focused on vertebrate palaeontology. My account has over 12 thousand followers at present. In addition to my own content, I have been interviewed by other users and companies through or due to this platform.
Skype A Scientist – Scientist (Online) October 2020, 2021
Q&A presentations for family, school and Scout groups around the US over Skype and Zoom, supplementing their regular education in a fun way.
PBS Eons – Writer (Online) March 2020-July 2021
Pitching ideas, researching and writing scripts for episodes about Mesozoic life for the popular YouTube channel Eons. My episodes focus on the Lark Quarry site, the evolution and biomechanics of ankylosaur tails, unusual Triassic marine reptiles, cephalopod taphonomy and enigmatic South American mammals and have gained over 3 million total views so far.
DawnDinos, Royal Veterinary College – Research Technician in 3D Anatomy (London, UK) March 2020-July 2021
Creating activity worksheets for the website. Writing, presenting, filming and editing a series of five videos on the history of the locomotor superiority hypothesis. Also making a longer video based on these and with additional material for the RVC Summer Schools program and participating in a Q&A session with disadvantaged students.
Dorling Kindersley – Consultant and Writer (Online) May 2019-July 2021
Consulting on numerous fiction and non–fiction books on dinosaurs for children. I also performed a similar role fact-checking an app in 2017.
Writing double page spreads on prehistoric life and fossils for two books about life cycles as well as consulting on art for these pages.
Bristol Zoo Gardens – Dino Ranger (Bristol, UK) Summer 2017
Working with a team to create an interactive and factually accurate exhibit around 11 animatronic dinosaurs of Jurassic-Cretaceous age. When the exhibit opened, working as a palaeontologist talking to the public predominantly about dinosaurs. Other duties include basic fossil repairs and conservation; basic maintenance of equipment and games; setting up and packing down.
Bristol Museum and Galleries and Bristol Dinosaur Project– Volunteer (Bristol, UK) October 2015 – May 2017 and May 2019
Working Bristol Rocks events within the museum teaching the public about palaeontology using museum collection objects. On a separate occasion, assisting on a dig to recover and preserve a bed of Devonian eurypterids. With the BDP, engaging in volunteering and paid invited speaker work teaching at primary schools and children’s clubs around Bristol.
Teaching Experience
Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Blacksburg, USA) January 2022 – Present
Spring 2022, Autumn 2022: GEOS 1124 Introduction to Earth resources, society and environment.
Summer 2023: Instructor of Record for GEOS 1054 Age of Dinosaurs