Dr. Kenneth Lacovara is a world-renowned paleontologist and geologist who currently serves as Professor and Founding Dean of the School of Earth & Environment at Rowan University. He earned his PhD in Geology from the University of Delaware in 1998 and has since established himself as a leading figure in vertebrate paleontology with fieldwork spanning five continents. Dr. Lacovara directs the Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park, where his team investigates critical transitions in Earth's history through the fossil record. His academic career reflects a commitment to both scientific discovery and educational leadership, having taught diverse courses ranging from dinosaur evolution to sedimentology and fieldwork methods. As a fellow of The Explorers Club since 2003, he brings a global perspective to understanding ancient ecosystems and extinction events.
Dr. Lacovara achieved international recognition for his discovery of Dreadnoughtus schrani, a 65-ton titanosaur whose remarkably complete skeleton provides unprecedented insights into sauropod biology and biomechanics. His excavations in Patagonia represent one of the most significant dinosaur discoveries of the 21st century, revealing the most complete skeleton of a giant titanosaur to date. Beyond Dreadnoughtus, Dr. Lacovara has contributed to multiple groundbreaking paleontological finds including Paralititan stromeri in Egypt's Bahariya Oasis, which marked the first new dinosaur discovery in the region since the early 20th century. His work consistently bridges sedimentology and paleontology to reconstruct ancient environments, with fieldwork spanning the Gobi Desert, the Himalayan foothills, and across the United States. By applying advanced imaging and modeling techniques from engineering and medicine to paleontological research, he has helped transform our understanding of these ancient giants from lumbering behemoths to highly efficient, awe-inspiring creatures.
Dr. Lacovara spearheaded the creation of the Edelman Fossil Park in New Jersey, intervening in 2016 to preserve a quarry containing over 100,000 fossils from 66 million years ago that would have otherwise been developed into commercial property. His leadership transformed this site into a world-class museum and research facility that serves as the best window into this time anywhere in the world, according to his assessment of its global significance. As author of the Nautilus Award-winning book Why Dinosaurs Matter and a highly regarded TED speaker whose 2016 talk was rated among the year's top three, Dr. Lacovara excels at communicating the relevance of paleontology to contemporary audiences. His receipt of the 2019 Explorers Club Medal, the organization's highest honor, recognizes his exceptional contributions to exploration and discovery. Today, Dr. Lacovara continues to use paleontology to address pressing questions about mass extinction events while creating pathways for citizen scientists and students to engage with Earth's deep history through innovative educational programming at the Edelman Fossil Park.
