The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs and the Adventures of a Paleontologist
With Dr. Dean Lomax, and special guests Elaine Howard and Jimmy Waldron
Unearth the real behaviours of prehistoric animals as we join acclaimed paleontologist, author, and TV presenter Dr Dean Lomax on a remarkable journey through the grand cycle of life in deep time. Focusing on the direct evidence of astonishing behaviours recorded in some of the world's most extraordinary and unusual fossils, Lomax provides a glimpse into the real-world stories of prehistoric parenting, the quest for survival, and the endless struggle between predator and prey. From fighting dinosaurs to mosasaur mealtimes and a two-headed fossil reptile, these unbelievable fossils challenge what we thought we knew about the prehistoric world. Along the way, discover Dr Lomax's unconventional career as he shares stories of excavating prehistoric animals, discovering new species and presenting TV shows. – Based on Dr Lomax's new book, endorsed by Slash from Guns N' Roses as "Fantastic, engrossing & funny", we are given a unique view of the private moments of long-extinct creatures as never before. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and a book signing with the author and illustrator.
About the Speakers
Dr. Dean Lomax is the author of more than ten books, is a leading authority on ichthyosaurs, and travels the world excavating and researching dinosaurs and other ancient animals. Like many people, Dean's passion for paleontology stems from a childhood fascination with everything dinosaur. His career has taken an unconventional route – without the grades or finances to study paleontology at university, Dean sold his possessions at age 18 to fund a trip to excavate dinosaurs in America, and immersed himself in research, as well as writing scientific papers and books. As a groundbreaking researcher, he has discovered and named multiple new species, led the excavation of the world-famous 'Rutland Sea Dragon', worked with TV royalty such as Sir David Attenborough and Stephen Fry, and delivered TED talks, among other achievements. He is affiliated with The University of Manchester as an Honorary Research Fellow, where he completed an MPhil and PhD, and is also an 1851 Research Fellow at The University of Bristol. He hopes that his self-taught success helps inspire others from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their dreams.
Jimmy Waldron, MA.Ed. is a paleontologist, educator, and founder of Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome (DWABA, Inc.), Central Florida's only mobile natural history museum. With over 20 years of experience in formal and informal education—including teaching in Orange County Public Schools and leading STEM programming at the Orlando Science Center—Jimmy combines his passion for paleontology with engaging, hands-on learning. He has conducted fieldwork in Wyoming, Alberta, and the UK, and co-authored the description of Ichthyotitan severnensis, the largest known marine reptile. Through DWABA, Jimmy uses life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, real fossils, and interactive programs to make science accessible and exciting for audiences of all ages. Recognized by the Association of Science and Technology Centers as an Emerging Museum, DWABA has partnered with institutions such as the Orlando Science Center, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and United Arts of Central Florida. Jimmy's dynamic presentations blend scientific expertise with humor, storytelling, and audience participation, inspiring curiosity and sparking a lifelong love of learning.
Elaine Howard: After spending decades battling low self-esteem and a negative mindset, Florida-based attorney-turned-dinosaur-hunter Elaine Howard accidentally discovered her passion for dinosaur fossils in 2005, and her life has never been the same. Elaine has since become certified in fossil lab and fieldwork by the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, participated in numerous dinosaur digs, and written a book about her adventures and much more.
Elaine's experience culminated in her book, Passion in the Bones, which encourages others to find and follow their own passion. For the past six years, Elaine has served as Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary "Why Dinosaurs?" which had a Hollywood premiere in 2023. Elaine is also a certified coach and motivational speaker who has been featured by Lake and Sumter Style Magazine as one of the Extraordinary People of the community.
As a viral Instagram content creator (@dinosaurlaine), Elaine enjoys sharing her passion with the world in a fun and inspiring way. Many of her posts recounting her adventures have gone 'viral', reaching millions of people worldwide. Her story is interlocked with world-renowned paleontologist Dr Dean Lomax, who she met in 2008 in Wyoming, when he was starting out on his own journey as a passionate 18-year-old following his dream. Dr Lomax subsequently wrote the foreword for Elaine's book and even dedicated one of his own books, "Dinosaurs 10 Things You Should Know", to Elaine and her remarkable journey.
Elaine's story goes to show that anything is possible when we are moving forward with passion and purpose.
