About Rancho La Brea | La Brea Tar Pits
Source: https://tarpits.org/research-collections/about-rancho-la-brea
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
About Rancho La Brea | La Brea Tar Pits
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About Rancho La Brea
Excavators at La Brea Tar Pits painstakingly unearth the fossils of megafauna and microfossils.
Our research group uses fossils preserved in asphaltic sediments to investigate big questions related to climate change, evolution, and paleoecology.
Because Rancho La Brea represents the largest collection of late Pleistocene asphaltic fossils in the world, we use this opportunity to
train students
, build collections through
excavation
, prepare and conserve fossils in our public viewing
Fossil Lab
and curate this massive collection onsite. Our staff also use these
collections
to study scientific questions with visiting academics. Much of the current
research
could not be possible without the unique geological circumstances that occur in the La Basin and the efforts of the paleontologists who came before us.
Geology around Rancho La Brea
Historic Excavations
Early Researchers at Rancho La Brea
As a place-based museum, we are also committed to
engaging the communities around us
, sharing our research through
exhibits
, and preserving this
National Natural Landmark
for future generations.
Our Staff
Clear Search
Clear
Assistant Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea
Greg Davies
Greg works on various projects in the Rancho La Brea collections, with particular expertise in birds.
View bio
Postdoctoral Researcher, Rancho La Brea
Jessie George, Ph.D.
View bio
Administrative Assistant, Rancho La Brea
India Kotis
View bio
Senior Paleontological Preparator, Rancho La Brea
Sean Campbell
As a Preparator at Project 23, Sean is responsible for excavating fossils, training volunteers and students and sharing his expertise with the public.
View bio
Curator Emeritus, Ornithology
Kenneth Campbell, Ph.D.
Dr. Campbell began his tenure at the Natural History Museum in 1977 as one of two curators to fill staff positions for the newly opened George C. Page Museum, a satellite facility of the Natural History Museum.
View bio
Preparator, Rancho La Brea
Connie Clark
As a Preparator in the lab, Ms. Clarke is responsible for preparing fossils, supervising volunteers and communicating her work with museum guests.
View bio
Postdoctoral Researcher, Rancho La Brea
J. Alberto Cruz, Ph.D.
Alberto is a Mexican paleontologist who studies paleoecology, in particular, fossil amphibians and reptiles (toads, frogs, turtles, snakes, and lizards).
View bio
Assistant Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea
Greg B. Davies
As Assistant Collections Manager, Mr. Davies participates in daily curation and collections management duties including cataloging, organizing, identifying and scanning of fossils as well as participating in the Public Outreach Programs.
View bio
Associate Curator, Rancho La Brea
Regan E. Dunn, Ph.D.
Dr. Regan Dunn is an Assistant Curator at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. She is a paleobotanist whose research seeks to understand the interplay between climate, plants and animal evolution through time.
View bio
Senior Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea
Aisling Farrell
As Collections Manager Ms. Farrell has co-managed all of the fossils at Rancho La Brea for over a decade.
View bio
Grants & Opportunities
Find out how you can be part of the research happening here!
Learn more
Our Policies
We are part of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County. You can find more information about our positions, policies, and processes
here
.
Skip to main content
About Rancho La Brea
Excavators at La Brea Tar Pits painstakingly unearth the fossils of megafauna and microfossils.
Our research group uses fossils preserved in asphaltic sediments to investigate big questions related to climate change, evolution, and paleoecology.
Because Rancho La Brea represents the largest collection of late Pleistocene asphaltic fossils in the world, we use this opportunity to
train students
, build collections through
excavation
, prepare and conserve fossils in our public viewing
Fossil Lab
and curate this massive collection onsite. Our staff also use these
collections
to study scientific questions with visiting academics. Much of the current
research
could not be possible without the unique geological circumstances that occur in the La Basin and the efforts of the paleontologists who came before us.
Geology around Rancho La Brea
Historic Excavations
Early Researchers at Rancho La Brea
As a place-based museum, we are also committed to
engaging the communities around us
, sharing our research through
exhibits
, and preserving this
National Natural Landmark
for future generations.
Our Staff
Clear Search
Clear
Assistant Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea
Greg Davies
Greg works on various projects in the Rancho La Brea collections, with particular expertise in birds.
View bio
Postdoctoral Researcher, Rancho La Brea
Jessie George, Ph.D.
View bio
Administrative Assistant, Rancho La Brea
India Kotis
View bio
Senior Paleontological Preparator, Rancho La Brea
Sean Campbell
As a Preparator at Project 23, Sean is responsible for excavating fossils, training volunteers and students and sharing his expertise with the public.
View bio
Curator Emeritus, Ornithology
Kenneth Campbell, Ph.D.
Dr. Campbell began his tenure at the Natural History Museum in 1977 as one of two curators to fill staff positions for the newly opened George C. Page Museum, a satellite facility of the Natural History Museum.
View bio
Preparator, Rancho La Brea
Connie Clark
As a Preparator in the lab, Ms. Clarke is responsible for preparing fossils, supervising volunteers and communicating her work with museum guests.
View bio
Postdoctoral Researcher, Rancho La Brea
J. Alberto Cruz, Ph.D.
Alberto is a Mexican paleontologist who studies paleoecology, in particular, fossil amphibians and reptiles (toads, frogs, turtles, snakes, and lizards).
View bio
Assistant Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea
Greg B. Davies
As Assistant Collections Manager, Mr. Davies participates in daily curation and collections management duties including cataloging, organizing, identifying and scanning of fossils as well as participating in the Public Outreach Programs.
View bio
Associate Curator, Rancho La Brea
Regan E. Dunn, Ph.D.
Dr. Regan Dunn is an Assistant Curator at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. She is a paleobotanist whose research seeks to understand the interplay between climate, plants and animal evolution through time.
View bio
Senior Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea
Aisling Farrell
As Collections Manager Ms. Farrell has co-managed all of the fossils at Rancho La Brea for over a decade.
View bio
Grants & Opportunities
Find out how you can be part of the research happening here!
Learn more
Our Policies
We are part of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County. You can find more information about our positions, policies, and processes
here
.