N E W T E R R I T O RY PENGUINS ARE IMPETUS FOR NEW ZEALAND RESEARCH 18 < A U T U M N 2 0 0 6
B Y K AT E M A N E C K E UELED BY WHAT HE CALLS A “LITTLE BOY FASCINATION WITH MONSTERS,” JEREMY RIEDEL ’07 HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF MARIETTA’S NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF PALEONTOLOGY, WHILE ALSO ENRICHING HIS <strong>CULTURAL</strong> PALETTE. INVESTIGATIVE STUDIES For more information, contact Grace Johnson at 740-376-4631 or johnsong@marietta.edu > STUDYING BONES Jeremy Riedel ’07 (above) uses the skeletal model of a modern penguin species as he continues his research at Marietta College this fall. The bones of the extinct penguin Archaeospheniscus (top) were the focus of Riedel’s New Zealand trip this summer. Riedel spent spring semester researching fossilized penguin bones in New Zealand and returned to Marietta to compile his research. The idea of spending six months in the luscious landscape of New Zealand, coupled with Riedel’s desire to study vertebrate paleontology, led him to seek out the Investigative Studies Summer Research Fellowship Program. This is the first year that the program has allowed students to conduct off-campus research, thus opening up the world to the six students chosen to participate. Riedel applied to the program under the guidance of his advisor, Dr. David Jeffrey. After pitching his proposal to the program director, Professor Grace Johnson, he was off to the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. He had the choice of studying in any country, but New Zealand won out because of its amazing natural scenery, abundance of unique plants and animals, and the convenience of English as the native tongue. Riedel notes that most geology scholars elect to study in Australia, but he wanted to do something a little different. In February, Riedel – a northwestern Ohio native – started a full semester of classes thousands of miles away from his home state. His schedule consisted of geology, biology and Chinese classes to which he commuted from his off-campus studio apartment. On top of his course load Riedel also conducted research with Professor Ewan Fordyce, whom he met at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology international meeting last fall. The research centered on the bones of an extinct genus of penguin known as Archaeospheniscus. The fossils, which are approximately 30 million years old, were embedded in a block of rock. Riedel assisted in their removal, cleaning and preparation for examination and he was also responsible for photographing and measuring the bones. “The species is yet undetermined and may represent a new one,” explains Riedel. This particular discovery was unique because “Often bones are recovered that are so heavily eroded or incomplete that they cannot be identified as a species. That is not the case with this penguin; several of the bones are in very good condition and are identifiable,” says Riedel. While the experience proved to be challenging and exciting, Riedel was not particularly passionate about the study of penguins prior to his semester in New Zealand. His true passion lies with paleontology, so naturally the connection between birds and dinosaurs provided the necessary link to pique Riedel’s interest in the fossils. In addition to his classes and research, Riedel also had to adapt to living in a foreign country. However, the adjustment to New Zealand culture was not as much of a shock as adapting to a school as large as the University of Otago. With over 20,000 students, the learning atmosphere was quite a change from the intimate setting of Marietta. “There was not as much time for questions or one-on-one interaction with professors,” Riedel says. He also had to get used to a different grading style, in which a higher percentage of each final grade is taken from final exams, thus making it difficult to determine how much study time to devote to each lesson. Back at Marietta for the summer, Riedel worked on preparing a rationale to back up the research he conducted in New Zealand. The six students who participated in the Investigative Studies Summer Research Fellowship Program are required to present their studies at a symposium at Marietta. They are also encouraged to present their research in a professional setting that pertains to their field, and Riedel plans to do just that. He has chosen the Geological Society of America as the professional arena to discuss his findings. He will present a poster at a GSA poster session, which will allow more personal interactions with those attending the meeting than a lecture would. Riedel says the poster will consist of “a photographic reconstruction of the extinct penguin skeleton, along with information and tables explaining the reasons for my identification of the animal.” He will also use the poster to display photographs of New Zealand and to explain the local geology of the area where the fossils were found. The GSA conference will be comprised of about 7,000 geo-scientists from around the world who specialize in a variety of geological fields. Riedel is actively choosing experiences that will help with his career. In the summer of 2005, he traveled to Wyoming for an opportunity to study dinosaurs with help from the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates. He plans to continue his studies after Marietta with a post-graduate program most likely in Los Angeles or Washington, D.C. While career opportunities in this line of work are often limited, Riedel hopes to one day work with a museum or a university. Back on Marietta’s turf this summer as he continued his research, Riedel was happy to resume classes on a much smaller campus. While the scenery in Ohio might not be as picturesque as it was in New Zealand, he’s glad to be home. M A R I E T TA > 19
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