There isn’t enough coffee in the world to caffeinate the ginormous creatures that visited Baker University Center’s Front Room, Wednesday night.
The room was filled to capacity with more than 100 people listening to Lawrence Witmer, an Ohio University anatomy professor and dinosaur expert, talk about how technology aided in researching dinosaurs — the “terrible lizards.”
Witmer developed 3D images from dinosaur fossil replicas that were CT scanned with machines similar to the ones used in hospitals. From those pictures, researchers were able to create animations to mimic dinosaur movements.
“Everything has to fit,” Witmer said. “With the help of 3D technology, we’re able to see muscles and determine the animal’s bite.”
Witmer’s OU lab was able to digitally recreate some soft tissues including muscles and nerves. The university recently purchased a new CT scanner with money from OU’s 1804 fund.
Admission was complimentary, as was hot chocolate, coffee or tea for the first 50 participants.
“I believe this is a very popular topic,” said Andrea Gibson, director of research communications. “There’s a lot of interest in the dinosaur topics and community members are interested too.”
The cost of the research was funded by “hundreds of thousands” of dollars in federal grants from the National Science Foundation, Witmer said, though he wouldn’t give specific costs.
Witmer also brought dinosaur fossil replicas, which included the Tyrannosaurus rex, Diplodocus and Allosaurus. The replicas were borrowed from museums across the country.
Some participants were able to come and touch the fossil replicas as well as help Witmer demonstrate several eating behaviors of herbivorous dinosaurs.
“I like science and dinosaurs,” said Claire Seid, a freshman studying sociology. “I like learning about things I probably wouldn’t learn in my major.”
Another attendee also enjoyed the seminar as one of Witmer’s students.
“I’m fascinated with dinosaurs, and I don’t feel bored at all,” said Jordan Duckett, a first-year medical student at OU’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“I’m really surprised by the number of people who showed up. I would definitely come back.”
Witmer said he believed the event was a success and hoped the public would learn more about the dinosaurs and other areas of science.
“It’s real science,” he said. “I think we got a lot of our messages out there.”
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