Paul Sereno
Renowned paleontologist Paul Sereno, Head of The Fossil Lab at the University of Chicago, continues to break new ground in dinosaur discovery. From the Sahara to South America, his expeditions have reshaped our understanding of prehistoric life, revealing iconic species and bringing the adventure, rigor, and imagination of science vividly to life.
Time Tripper
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Fossil Hunter
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Indiana Bones
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Time Tripper • Fossil Hunter • Indiana Bones •
More about Paul
Dr. Paul Sereno, known as the “Indiana Jones of Paleontology,” leads The Fossil Lab at the University of Chicago and has spent decades exploring lost worlds from Argentina to Africa. His latest expedition, featured in the August 2025 National Geographic, uncovered 55 tons of fossils from the Sahara, including a Spinosaurus skull, new sauropods, and crocodile-like predators. This discovery reveals an ancient ecosystem of astonishing scale. His stage show brings audiences into the Sahara’s heart, blending adventure with scientific breakthrough.
Paul grew up in Naperville, near Chicago, and studied art and biology at Northern Illinois University. He earned his doctorate at Columbia University, researching dinosaur fossils across Asia. Since joining the University of Chicago in 1987, his fieldwork has spanned the Andes, Asia, and Africa.
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In Argentina, his team discovered early dinosaurs like Eoraptor and Eodromaeus. In Asia, he unveiled India’s first predatory dinosaur skull, Rajasaurus, and discovered a dinosaur herd frozen in mud in Inner Mongolia. From the 1990s onward, his African expeditions uncovered over 100 tons of fossils, revealing new species such as Nigersaurus, Suchomimus, Spinosaurus, and giant crocodiles like Sarcosuchus and Kaprosuchus.
In 2000, Paul found a Sahara burial site predating the pyramids, including the “Stone Age Embrace” of a mother and children. He’s developing science centers in Chicago and Niger to celebrate deep time and inspire future scientists. A National Geographic Explorer and author, Paul has led dozens of expeditions and appeared in numerous documentaries.
Speaking Topics
Conservation
Science
Exploration
Adventur
Innovation
Watch Paul in action
Presentations
Dinosaurs Rising
Dr. Paul Sereno, the “Indiana Jones of Paleontology,” leads The Fossil Lab at the University of Chicago. His latest National Geographic-featured expedition uncovered 55 tons of fossils from the Sahara, including a Spinosaurus skull and new species. His stage show blends adventure and science, taking audiences deep into one of history’s boldest fossil hunts.
“The trick to big discoveries? Go where few have tread before, visualize hidden treasure, and prepare for the unexpected.”
– Paul Sereno