Bozeman Magazine

A fascinating fossil at Museum of the Rockies may provide a rare glimpse of a dinosaur's final moments. Join MOR Curator of Paleontology John Scannella and explore the evidence for a possible Tyrannosaurus attack. A fascinating fossil at Museum of the Rockies may provide a rare glimpse of a dinosaur's final moments. John was born in Queens, New York, and became interested in dinosaurs at an early age. While growing up in Queens, he read books and watched documentaries about new dinosaur discoveries made in Montana by Museum of the Rockies. He attended Rutgers University and received a bachelor's degree in geological sciences. Before coming to Montana, he volunteered at the American Museum of Natural History and Rutgers Geology Museum. John studied under former MOR Curator of Paleontology Jack Horner and earned a Doctorate of Philosophy through the Department of Earth Sciences at Montana State University in 2015. His dissertation research focused on the famous horned dinosaur Triceratops. In 2017, he became the John R. Horner curator of paleontology at Museum of the Rockies. John has conducted paleontological fieldwork throughout Montana and collaborates with an international team of colleagues and research associates. Current research projects include exploring prehistoric ecosystems, examining modes of fossil preservation, and deciphering the growth and evolution of dinosaurs.