THOMAS A. SHILLER II th Street, Apartment 10 Lubbock, TX (956)

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1 EDUCATION Ph.D. Graduand THOMAS A. SHILLER II th Street, Apartment 10 Lubbock, TX (956) Geoscience, expected May 2017 Dissertation: Stratigraphy and paleontology of Upper Cretaceous strata in northern Coahuila, Mexico Scholarships and Awards: John P. Brand Memorial Scholarship M.S. Geoscience, 2012 Thesis: A dyrosaurid crocodilian from the Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Escondido Formation of Coahuila, Mexico B. S. Sul Ross State University, Alpine Geology, 2009 Minor: Biology Scholarships and Awards: David M. Rohr Scholarship, Julius Dasch Outstanding Undergraduate Geology Student, Texas Space Grant Consortium Scholarship TEACHING EXPERIENCE Texas Tech University, Department of Geosciences Teaching Assistant Advanced Field Methods Summer, Assisted in teaching field mapping, stratigraphy, and structural geology; conducted in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Sedimentary Field Methods Spring; , 2017 Assisted in teaching field mapping and stratigraphy of sedimentary rocks; conducted in Caprock Canyons State Park and the Big Bend region of Texas. Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Fall, 2016 Assisted in lab instruction and grading of upper division course covering stratigraphy, sedimentology, and sedimentary petrography.

2 Lab Instructor Historical Geology Fall, ; Summer, 2016 Wrote and implemented lab exercises comprising practical concepts of paleontology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, geochemistry, and structural geology. Sul Ross State University, Department of Earth and Physical Sciences Texas Pre-freshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) 2009 Assisted in teaching middle school students concepts in engineering, mathematics, and advanced topics in science. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Texas Tech University, Department of Geosciences Northern Coahuila, Mexico 2009 present Conducting an ongoing study of the paleontology and stratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous strata of the region of Mexico adjacent to Big Bend National Park and the Región Carbonífera of Coahuila. Big Bend National Park, Texas 2009 present Collect and document Cretaceous Paleogene vertebrate fossil material under permit from the National Park Service. Southeast Alaska Summer, 2013 & 2014 Assisted in a paleontological and stratigraphic study of Paleozoic carbonate rocks of the Alexander terrane, Tongass National Forest. Ogallala Project Assisted in petrographic study the Ogallala Formation, New Mexico and Texas. Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande Research Center Research Assistant Monitored stream discharge and chemistry, groundwater levels and chemistry, and meteorological data stations in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. PUBLISHED ARTICLES Shiller, T.A., Porras-Muzquiz, H.G. and Lehman, T.M., Sabinosuchus coahuilensis, a new dyrosaurid crocodyliform from the Escondido Formation (Maastrichtian) of Coahuila, Mexico. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 36(6).

3 CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS Frederick, P. A., Shiller, T. A., Rohr, D. M., Baichtal, J. F A preliminary report on the stratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Peratrovich Formation and Ladrones Limestone. Geological Society of America, 111 th Annual meeting. Baichtal, J. F., Blodgett, R. B., Frederick, P. A., Rohr, D. M.; Shiller, T. A., Stevens, C. H An overlooked Permian unit in the Craig quadrangle, Alexander terrane, SE Alaska. Geological Society of America, 111 th Annual meeting. Shiller, T. A A dyrosaurid crocodylian from the Cretaceous Olmos Formation of Coahuila, Mexico. Geologic Society of America Abstracts with Programs 44:3. Shiller T. A., K. Urbanczyk, and A. Beall. 2009, Introducing Water Science To Middle School Students Through The Texas Pre-freshman Engineering Program (TexPREP), Geological Society of America, 2009 Annual meeting. INVITED TALKS XIV Congreso Nacional de Paleontología, Múzquiz, Coahuila Keynote Speaker 2015 Historia Geologica y Palontologica del Cretacico-Paleogenico de la region del Big Bend de Texas y Coahuila, Mexico. RESEARCH PERMITS Big Bend National Park : Stratigraphy and paleontology of the Tornillo Group (Upper Cretaceous - Eocene), south of Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Texas : Stratigraphy and paleontology of Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene strata in northern Mexico and adjacent Big Bend National Park, Texas WORK IN PROGRESS Prospective Title: Tyrannosaurid skull material from the Aguja Formation, Big Bend National Park, Texas.

4 MEMBERSHIPS Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Geological Society of America Sigma Gamma Epsilon Honor Society LANGUAGES Spanish limited professional proficiency REFERENCES Dr. Tom Lehman Professor Department of Geosciences (806) Dr. Sankar Chatterjee Horn Professor Department of Geosciences (806) Steve Wick Research Associate Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections The University of Texas at Austin Héctor Porras Museum Director El Museo Múzquiz, Coahuila

5 TEACHING PHILOSOPHY Thomas Shiller Student interest and engagement is paramount in science education. Whether teaching non-majors in an introductory course or upper-level geoscience students, I have found that recognizing and cultivating individual student interests leads to enthusiasm and inquisitiveness. I prepare laboratory exercises and lectures covering a variety of topics, allowing undergraduate students to explore their specific interests. This not only promotes student retention, but also attracts non-majors or undecided students to the geoscience field. In any field of science, the ability to think critically is fundamentally important. As many students will pursue careers or advanced degrees after their undergraduate work, I believe that it is my responsibility as an educator to prepare them for professional-level work. Students must go beyond simple retention of information and exercise scientific thought and interpretation. With this in mind, I developed a comprehensive curriculum for the historical geology lab course in which students learned in a hands-on manner and were assessed based on their ability to convey their observations and give logical interpretations. Over the course of my graduate career, I have had many opportunities to teach geology students in the field. After six years of assisting in Advanced Field Methods in Big Bend, I strongly believe that a field-based approach to teaching geology is essential. There are few universities that offer such a diverse and accessible outdoor classroom as Sul Ross, which I experienced firsthand as an undergraduate geology student there. I am eager for the opportunity to develop course material applicable to the Big Bend region, utilizing the skills I have acquired during my time in academia. Introductory courses such as Physical Geology and Historical Geology are critical in developing a strong foundation for geology students and I look forward to teaching such courses. With teaching and research experience in paleontology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology; I am well-suited to teach and develop related undergraduate and graduate courses. Paleontology is an interdisciplinary subject, combing concepts of geology and biology; and therefore provides an opportunity to develop courses of interest for both geology and biology students. Sul Ross presently offers a variety of courses related to stratigraphy and sedimentology; fields in which I have conducted research and assisted in teaching. With six years of experience assisting with instruction of geology field methods courses, I would very much like to teach field courses myself. The Advanced Field Methods course, for which I was a teaching assistant, was a comprehensive field course covering topics including stratigraphy, structural geology, and tectonics. Teaching existing classes in structural geology and tectonics would also be of great interest to me. I am ardently committed to education and believe that my seven years of collegiate teaching experience, both in the classroom and the field, make me an excellent fit for the position of Assistant Professor of Geology at SRSU. I am excited to develop new courses and to teach existing courses in the BGPS department. My entire college career is tied to the Trans-Pecos region. No other university offers such an exceptional opportunity for me to continue to teach in, what I believe is the most geologically fascinating region in the country.

6 RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY Thomas Shiller My primary research interests are rooted in the Big Bend region and in northern Coahuila and Chihuahua, Mexico. For my master s thesis, I described an unusual marine crocodilian from the Cretaceous Escondido Formation near Sabinas, Coahuila. As part of this study, I was able to name a new species of crocodilian; Sabinosuchus coahuilensis. My dissertation work comprised a detailed stratigraphic study of Upper Cretaceous strata of the Aguja and Javelina formations in northern Coahuila (Ocampo Municipality). Additionally; I described vertebrate fossil material from the Ocampo region, detailed sedimentological trends, and mapped the regional surface geology. Prior to this study, the stratigraphy of this region was poorly understood. While at Texas Tech University, I have worked extensively in Big Bend National Park. My interests in the Park have primarily been focused on the vertebrate paleontology of Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene strata. While operating under National Park Service vertebrate fossil collection permits, I discovered the type locality of a new ceratopsian dinosaur, Bravoceratops polyphemus; one of the most complete tyrannosaurid skull fragments discovered in the Park; and a variety of other significant vertebrate material. I have also excavated, collected, and prepared a number of fossil bones from the Big Bend region. Additionally, I have collected and imaged small reptile and mammal teeth using scanning electron microscopy. Both Big Bend National Park and northern Mexico offer long-term research opportunities. I have been fortunate enough to have worked in Big Bend National for nearly eleven years. During that time, I have become very familiar with the area and recognize the prospect for ongoing research. Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene strata in Big Bend have yielded a variety of significant vertebrate specimens ranging from mammals to dinosaurs. Further investigation of these fossiliferous strata may not only result in the discovery of additional specimens, but also add to the understanding of Late Cretaceous biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography. Having also established working relationships with residents and scientists in Coahuila, there are many opportunities for future work there. My dissertation work established a framework for future research. Many areas, specifically in the Ocampo Municipality, have yet to be surveyed geologically. The stratigraphy and paleontology of only a few localities is known; regions adjacent to the Rio Bravo, Mariscal Mountain, and Sierra San Vicente are of major interest. With my professional connections in Mexico, these places are accessible and could be investigated with minimal funding or equipment. Additionally, there are Mexican scientists also interested in working in the region. It is a major goal to collaborate with these scientists in the future and initiate an international partnership. Through my travels in Mexico, I have also established relationships with landowners and fossil collectors in Ojinaga, Chihuahua and la Región Carbonífera in Coahuila. The Upper Cretaceous strata in these areas are also fossiliferous and have only been studied in limited detail.

7 Logistically, my research interests can be undertaken with minimal funding and facilities. Preparation of fossil bones requires a relatively small lab space with inexpensive preparation equipment. Both Big Bend National Park and northern Mexico are easily reached from Alpine, requiring very little travel or prolonged field excursions. There are many opportunities for graduate student research projects as well; encompassing topics in stratigraphy and sedimentology, petrography, geochemistry, and paleontology. Sul Ross is the most conveniently located university to my region of research interest and would allow me to expand my research while, concurrently, focusing on effectively teaching.