Dr. Bodenbender's Research

I am interested in applying new methods to problems in geology and invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology. My current work focuses on digital photogrammetry, which creates 3-D computer models from digital photographs of geological features or fossils. Ongoing photogrammetry projects include modeling sand dunes in order to measure rates of erosion and sand accumulation, and creating in-the-round computer models of fossils. Other recent work has included the excavation of Jurassic dinosaurs near Shell, Wyoming. I also have long-standing interests in studying the evolution of patterns of crystal orientations in fossil echinoderm skeletons, and in using stratigraphic data to help infer evolutionary relationships.