Geosciences Ph.D. student Caitlin Elizabeth Colleary whose master’s degree work at another university revealed the color of some dinosaurs, is now studying the aging process in bones. With full-scale model of an Allosaurus at the Virginia Tech Museum of Geoscience.

I am a PhD student in the Geosciences Department at Virginia Tech.

My research focuses on the preservation and degradation of biomolecules. Identifying original organic material in fossils has extraordinary implications for interpreting past life and ecosystems and exploring how animals are related. Understanding how these ancient biomolecules are altered over millions of years allows these interpretations to be made. My Masters focused on the chemical preservation and alteration of fossil melanin.

You can follow me on twitter @hypothecait

I am also a member of the Palaeocast team.

Contact me if you’re interested in graduate studies at VT or if you just have some really pressing paleontological questions!