Female palaeontologist Jessica Lippincott did not grow up planning a career studying fossils. In fact, her remarkable journey into palaeontology began almost by accident. Everything Dinosaur recently reported on the scientific description of the unusual, chunky Jurassic belemnite Wyoteuthis linsterorum. Jessica was one of the researchers involved in the study. Therefore, we asked the Wyoming-based palaeontologist to tell us more about her career.

Wyoming palaeontologist, Jessica Lippincott, holding both specimens of the “chunky” belemnite Wyoteuthis linsterorum. Picture credit: Courtesy of Jessica Lippincott.

Picture credit: Courtesy of Jessica Lippincott

An Unexpected Introduction to Palaeontology

Jessica’s interest in palaeontology began when she was at high school. She initially applied for a summer job working with an archaeologist at the Bureau of Land Management. However, that position had already been filled. Instead, she learned about an opening at the Tate Museum in Casper, Wyoming. The job involved working as a palaeontology technician.

Jessica explained:

“At the time, I didn’t really have a big interest in dinosaurs or fossils, so I reluctantly took the job. Within two weeks of working, I was hooked and obsessed!”

That unexpected opportunity ultimately shaped her career.

Jessica continued working at the Tate Museum before moving to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. Over the years, she has excavated sites across Wyoming. Much of her fieldwork has focused on the Sundance and Morrison formations.

In 2014, Jessica became Executive Director of the Big Horn Basin Foundation. Later, in 2017, she became Education Director at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center.

“Look! Belemnites!”

Ironically, Jessica never imagined that belemnites would become an important part of her research. These squid-like cephalopods are familiar fossils in Wyoming. Jessica recalls seeing them more than thirty years ago. Indeed, finding them became something of a running joke with fellow researcher Bill Wahl.

Whenever she encountered one in the field, she would enthusiastically announce:

“Look! Belemnites!”

However, the fossils that eventually became associated with Wyoteuthis were different.

Jessica immediately recognised the potential importance of the first specimen. A large belemnite had reportedly been discovered previously at Como Bluff, but that specimen had been lost. Crucially, the researchers now had two specimens available for scientific study.

Photo of Wyoteuthis linsterorum holotype on left, paratype on right. Picture credit: Courtesy of Jessica Lippincott.

Picture credit: Courtesy of Jessica Lippincott

Researching Wyoteuthis

The research team brought together considerable expertise. Alexey Ippolitov contributed his knowledge of belemnite distribution. Bill Wahl provided expertise concerning the Sundance Sea, while Dr Dean Lomax contributed his knowledge of marine reptiles and palaeoenvironments. Jessica recalled that the researchers suspected they might have a new species. However, the fossils proved even more intriguing than expected.

Scanning of the holotype and paratype demonstrated that they were not cylindroteuthidids, the belemnites normally associated with Wyoming’s Sundance Sea. Instead, they represented a relict branch of the Megateuthididae. Until this discovery, this belemnite family was absent from the known fossil record of Wyoming’s Sundance Sea.

To read our blog post about the discover of Wyoteuthis linsterorum: A New “Chunky” Belemnite from Wyoming.

Everything Dinosaur and Why Dinosaurs?

Jessica’s connection with Everything Dinosaur goes back several years. She was the executive producer of the documentary “Why Dinosaurs?”, a project exploring people’s enduring fascination with these prehistoric animals.

Everything Dinosaur sponsored the UK leg of the documentary’s promotional tour. Consequently, Mike and Sue had the opportunity to meet Jessica when she visited Britain.

Everything Dinosaur was proud to be a sponsor of a new dinosaur documentary entitled “WHY DINOSAURS?”. Female palaeontologist Jessica Lippincott was the executive producer. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Commenting on Jessica’s contribution to the study of Wyoteuthis linsterorum, Mike from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“We congratulate Jessica and her colleagues on their fascinating research into this remarkable ‘chunky’ belemnite. It is wonderful to see such an extraordinary fossil being scientifically described. We wish Jessica every success with her career and look forward to hearing about her future palaeontological adventures.”

It is wonderful to see Jessica continuing to contribute to palaeontology through research, education and science communication. Her career also demonstrates how a seemingly chance opportunity can completely change someone’s direction.

From reluctantly accepting a summer job to helping describe remarkable Jurassic fossils, Jessica Lippincott’s story provides an inspiring example of where curiosity and enthusiasm for science can lead.

The multi-award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Museum Quality Models of Prehistoric Animals.