CV

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 84^th Annual Meeting

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 83^rd Annual Meeting

Chong Genetics Lab—University of Illinois at Chicago

September 2024-December 2024

• Collected samples of Agaricomycetes
• Created sterile agar culture media dishes and cultured samples on prepared media
• Extracted DNA (ITS1), conducted PCR, and subsequently constructed phylogenetic trees

Mann Paleontology Lab—Field Museum of Natural History

August 2024-Present

• Segmented and described µCT scan data of the Synapsid Dimetrodon
• Assisted in the research of workers in the laboratory
• Created graphics to teach others about the anatomical features among synapsids

Molumby Lab—University of Illinois at Chicago

May 2024-December 2024

• Participated in a mixed entomological and ornithological assessment of populations
• Captured local insect populations using a Malaise trap
• Identified and imaged collected insects under a microscope
• Analyzed local swallow population data and compared it with several years of collected insect data

Fungal Ecology Lab—Field Museum of Natural History

March 2024-Present

• Collection and Identification of Illinois Basidiomycetes with focus on Agaricales
• Inoculation, cultivation, and propagation of wild Fungi

Woodruff Lab—Paleontological Field Work & Research

July 2023-Present

• Collected and measured cross-sectional CT scan data for various living vertebrates to be comparatively studied
• Prospected for fossil material
• Unearthed, prepared, jacketed, and collected fossil specimens
• Collected field samples from microsites
• Assisted in the sampling of novel solar paneled screenwashing apparatus for microvertebrate fossils and preparation of forthcoming manuscript
• Assisted with heavy equipment handling of fossil specimens
• Lifted and hauled several hundred pound jackets across canyons for shipment to museum
• Prepared equipment for movement and usage across sites
• Prepared cameras for museum usage
• Set-up and assisted with camping equipment and prepared and cooked meals

Von Konrat Botany Lab & Collections—Field Museum of Natural History

May 2022-Present

• Authorship and investigation of Illinois Bryophyta
• Conducted research on a cryptic species of Frullania and contributed to its morphological evaluation
• Imaged various Polynesian liverworts under a compound microscope, described morphological characteristics, and recorded statistical relevance of data attained
• Conducted fieldwork at the Nachusa Grasslands Nature Conservancy
• Collected relevant bryophytes across Chicago for my research and my colleagues’ research
• Sample collection, organization, and incorporation into herbarium
• Preparation of microplants for research use
• Preparation of ethanol solutions
• Graphic designs for publications, scientific outreach, and collection management
• Microscopy and imaging of Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, and Lichens
• Imaged fossil ferns and organized them into the palaeobotanical collection
• Databased pteridophytes into the Pteridophyte Collections Consortium

Bates Ornithology Lab & Collections—Field Museum of Natural History

May 2022-Present

• Took measurements on different bird specimens for research associates
• Presenter for an interactive bird exhibit for members of the museum
• Bird µCT Data databased into EMu network
• Organized and optimized µCT Scan file storage
• Organized and prepared collections of canid skins, bird skins, bird skeletons, and preserved birds in alcohol
• Optimized bird skin collections and catalogued all genera, species, and subspecies locations
• Mixed Lugol’s iodine and incorporated into specimens for specialized CT scanning

Sereno Paleontology Lab—University of Chicago Fossil Laboratory

February 2022-August 2025

• Escorted tour groups through the lab and demonstrated fossil preparation techniques
• Prepared fossilized specimens for study
• Researched specimens within the collections
• Segmented and described the dentition, neurovasculature, and pneumaticity in an Abelisaurid maxilla using µCT scan data
• Assisted post-doctoral workers in research
• Packed and organized collection and laboratory materials
• Micro-sorted material from Mesozoic middens
• Catalogued library of academic resources

Publications

Von Konrat, M., Stark, L., Merkel, J., Grauer, A., Jakalaski, W., Kiefer, P., Kreider, D., Leafblad, E., Lichamer, A., Merrill, G., Moran, J., Quinn, G., Seccombe, D., Sodetz, K., Thrun, M. (2025). Silent Witnesses: Bryophytes Provide Important Evidence in Solving a Cemetery Crime. Forensic Sciences Research, owaf038. DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owaf038

Merkel, J., Von Konrat, M., Stark, L., Laurence, A., Briscoe, L., Collings, B., Carrington, P., Kreider, D., Larraín, J., Lichamer, A., Merrill, G., Reznicek, A., Stevenson, R.J., Telewski, F.W., Wells, J. B. (2025). Green Clues: Unveiling the Role of Bryophytes in Forensic Science, Forensic Sciences Research, owaf026. DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owaf026

Herbst, R., Stille, D., Gwilliam III, G.F., Von Konrat, M., Campbell, T., Gaswick, W., Grewe, F., Hansen, K., Iacobelli, F., Jellema, K., Kawasaki, L., Kreider, D., Ree, R., Rodriguez, Y., Wolpert, A. (2025). Unlocking the Past: The Potential of Large Language models to Revolutionize Transcription of Natural History Collections. Data Intelligence, 7(2), 237-264. DOI: 10.3724/2096-7004.di.2025.0011

Woodruff, C., Hart, W., Colesmith, A., Kreider, D., Austin, G., Bounassi, A., & Woodruff, H. (2025). A Novel, Solar Panel-Based Screenwashing Apparatus for the Bulk Collection of Microvertebrate Fossils in the Field. Vertebrate Anatomy Morphology Palaeontology, 13. DOI: 10.18435/vamp29408

Ryan, Z. A., Clark, E. K., Cundiff, B., Nichols, J. A., Mahoney, M., Evans, N. M., Campbell, T., Kreider, D., von Konrat, M. (2024). Open-Source Software Integration: A Tutorial on Species Distribution Mapping and Ecological Niche Modelling. Research Ideas and Outcomes, 10, e129578. DOI: 10.3897/rio.10.e129578