About Rancho La Brea

fossil work at the tar pits 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

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Regan E. Dunn, Ph.D.
Assistant Curator, Rancho La Brea

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.

Emily Lindsey, Ph.D.
Associate Curator and Excavation Site Director, Rancho La Brea

Dr. Lindsey's research integrates information from past and modern ecosystems to understand how Ice Age animals and environments functioned.

Aisling Farrell
Senior Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea

As Collections Manager Ms. Farrell has co-managed all of the fossils at Rancho La Brea for over a decade.

Gary Takeuchi
Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea

As Collections Manager, Mr. Takeuchi co-manages all of the fossils at Rancho La Brea.

Greg B. Davies
Assistant Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea

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.

Stephany Potze
Fossil Lab Manager, Rancho La Brea

As the Fossil Lab Manager Ms. Potze is responsible for the preparation and conservation of all the fossils at Rancho La Brea.

Connie Clark
Preparator, Rancho La Brea

As a Preparator in the lab, Ms. Clarke is responsible for preparing fossils, supervising volunteers and communicating her work with museum guests.

Karin Rice
Preparator, Rancho La Brea

As a Preparator at Project 23, Karin is responsible for excavating fossils, training volunteers and students and sharing her expertise with the public.

Kenneth Campbell, Ph.D.
Curator Emeritus, Ornithology

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.

Laura Tewksbury
Preparator, Rancho La Brea

As a Preparator at Project 23, Ms. Tewksbury is responsible for excavating fossils, training volunteers and students and sharing her expertise with the public.

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.