Mhairi Reid

A highly skilled professional with extensive experience in digital post-processing for x-ray computed tomography, utilising advanced software such as VGStudio MAX, MeshLab, and Blender. Demonstrates proficiency in lab-based preparation of fossil specimens and managing large datasets with Excel and other database software. Expertise in sequence stratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, sedimentary log compilation, field mapping, and GIS. Adept at writing and analysis using Microsoft Office, advanced Excel, R statistical program, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Skilled in photogrammetry with Agisoft and CloudCompare. Extensive experience working with museum fossil collections across prestigious institutions including Iziko Museum and the Smithsonian Museum. Proficient in digital collections databases like TMS and Excel. Holds a clean professional driver’s licence with significant off-road driving experience. Certified training includes SEM at the University of Stellenbosch and SHELL biostratigraphy workshop for micropalaeontology applications.

Resourceful and adaptable individual with strong problem-solving abilities and excellent communication skills. Demonstrates proficiency in data collection and analysis, coupled with capacity to work effectively in diverse outdoor environments. Ready to contribute to impactful projects and support organisational goals in [Desired Position] role.

Experienced Field Assistant with knack for streamlining field operations and enhancing team collaboration. Skilled in conducting precise data collection and ensuring timely reporting, contributing to improved project outcomes. Known for proactive problem-solving and maintaining high standards in challenging environments.

• Clarendon Scholarship (for PhD research), University of Oxford 2020-2023
• NERC-DTP Environmental Research Scholarship, University of Oxford 2020-2023
• Kellogg College Scholarship, University of Oxford 2020-2023
• DST- NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences Postgraduate Bursary (CoE-Pal). 2015-2017
• NRF Innovation Masters scholarship for academic achievement 2015-2017
• DST- NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences Postgraduate Bursary (CoE-Pal). 2014
• Awarded ‘The Lystrosaurus Cast’ – for the Best Poster at the 18th Biennial PSSA. 2014
• Awarded Best Poster at the Annual UCT Science Faculty Postgraduate Symposium. 2014

Peer-reviewed publications

Reid, M. Bordy, E. (in prep). Dinosaur tail traces from the Lower Moyeni ichnosite, Lesotho. Ichnos.

Reddy, C., Thuy, B., Reid, M., Gess, R. 2023. Earliest known ophiuroids from high palaeolatitude, Southern Gondwana, recovered from the Pragian to earliest Emsian Baviaanskloof Formation (Table Mountain Group, Cape Supergroup) South Africa. Plos One: 18, 10.

Abrahams, M., Sciscio, L., Reid, M., Haupt, T., Bordy, E.M. 2020. Large tridactyl dinosaur tracks from the Early Jurassic of southern Gondwana - uppermost Elliot Formation, Upper Moyeni, Lesotho. Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae: 90, 1–26.

Reid, M., Taylor, W., Brett, C. E., Hunter, A. 2019. Taphonomy and paleoecology of an ophiuroid- stylophoran obrution deposit from the lower Devonian Bokkeveld Group, South Africa. PALAIOS: 34(4), 212–228.

Reid, M., Bordy, E. M., Taylor, W., le Roux, S.A, du Plessis, A. 2019. Micro X-ray computed tomography dataset of fossil echinoderms in an ancient obrution bed: a robust method for taphonomic and palaeoecological analyses. GigaScience: 8(3), giy156.

Reid, M., Hunter, A. W., Taylor, W., Bordy E. 2019. A new genus of Protasteridae from the Lower Devonian Bokkeveld Group of South Africa. Palaeontologia Africana: 53, 66–74.

Browning C., Reid, M. 2017. Lithostratigraphy of the Kweekvlei Formation (Witteberg Group), South Africa. South African Journal of Geology: 120(3), 421–432.

Sciscio, L., Bordy, E. M., Reid, M., Abrahams, M. 2016. Sedimentology and ichnology of the Mafube dinosaur track site (Lower Jurassic, eastern Free State, South Africa): a report on footprint preservation and palaeoenvironment. Peer J: 4, e2285.

Reid. M., Bordy, E.M., Wendy, T. 2015. Taphonomy and sedimentology of an echinoderm obrution bed in the Lower Devonian Voorstehoek Formation (Bokkeveld Group, Cape Supergroup) of South Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences:110, 135–149.

Selected conference presentations and poster abstracts

Reid, M. & Benson, R. B. J., 2024. The evolution and phylogeny of early Telluraves. Proceedings of the 22nd Biennial Conference of the Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa, August 2024, Graaff-Reinet, South Africa.

Reid, M., Taylor, W., Brett, C., Bordy, E. 2018. 3D Taphonomic analysis using microCT of an ophiuroid- stylophoran assemblage from the Lower Devonian Bokkeveld Group, South Africa. 5thInternational Paleontological Congress, July 2018, Paris, France.

Reid, M., Wings, O., Rabi, M. 2018. The Diplocynodon Enigma: Revision of an extremely abundant but poorly understood endemic crocodylian taxon from the Paleogene of Europe. 5th International Paleontological Congress – Paris, 9th-13th July 2018.

Haupt, T., Bordy, E. M., Reid, M., Abrahams, M. Sciscio, L. 2017. Early Jurassic palaeoenvironmental change in Moyeni, SW Lesotho: from Hettangian dinosaur trampled surfaces to Toarcian flood basalts. 2nd International Conference of Continental Ichnology (ICCI), October 2017, Western Cape, South Africa.

Rampersadh, A., Mokhethi, M., Bordy, E. M., Sciscio, L., Abrahams, M., Reid, M., Haupt. T. 2017. Dynamics of Early Jurassic lacustrine palaeoecosystem: sedimentology and ichnology of the uppermost Elliot Formation in Lesotho. 2ndInternational Conference of Continental Ichnology (ICCI), October 2017, Western Cape, South Africa.

Reid, M., Taylor, W., Bordy, E. M. 2016. Taphonomy and Palaeoecology of an ophiuroid-stylophoran obrution deposit from the Lower Devonian Bokkeveld Group, South Africa. GSA Annual Meeting, September 2016, Denver, Colorado.

Reid, M., Taylor, W., Bordy, E. M. 2016. Exploring an ophiuroid-stylophoran assemblage from the Devonian Voorstehoek Fomration, Bokkeveld Group, Western Cape; taphonomy, palaeoecology and taxonomy. Proceedings of the 19th Biennial Conference of the Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa, July 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Sciscio, L., Bordy, E. M., Reid, M., Abrahams, M. 2016. Sedimentology and ichnology of the Mafube dinosaur footprint site (Early Jurassic, eastern Free State, South Africa): a preliminary report on footprint preservation and palaeoenvironment. 4thInternational Congress on Ichnology (ICHNIA2016), May 2016, Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal.

Reid, M., Bordy, E. M., Taylor, W. 2015. Fossils heritage of the Lower Devonian Voorstehoek Formation (Cape Supergroup) and its stratigraphic value for correlations in SW Gondwana. Cape-Karoo Imbizo at NMMU, November 2015, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Reid, M., Taylor, W., Bordy, E. M. 2015. The 3D reconstruction of a 400-million-year-old fossil-rich obrution layer with CT scanning. FEI IMGRAD, September 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Reid, M., Taylor, W., Bordy, E. M. 2014. Invertebrate taphonomy and sedimentology of the Devonian Gydo Formation (Ceres Subgroup, Bokkeveld Group, Cape Supergroup), Western Cape. Proceedings of the 18thBiennial Conference of the Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa, July 2014, Johannesburg, South Africa.

GSSA  – Geological society of South Africa

Palass  – The Palaeontological Association

SEPM  – Society for Sedimentary Geology

• casing my science to the public with engaging games and educational displays with fossils.

• Gave invited talks on bird evolution.

Preservation of African Heritage | Lower Moyeni Dinosaur Track Museum, Lesotho  2017-2019

• Active supporter of science education, conservation and preservation of African Heritage in the form of educational posters, pamphlets and discussions to the local communities (pupils, community leaders, farmers, local community museums and guest houses).

International Museum Day | Iziko Museums of South Africa   2015

• Organising and overseeing the invertebrate fossil table and display with Dr. Wendy Taylor for various educational activities in the museum.

Media

• Quest Magazine (2019), “Brittle stars in the Bokkeveld”.

• Geobulletin (2014), wrote a piece on the PSSA conference.

• CT News (2014), student prize winner feature.

Professor Roger Benson

Curator of Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds American Museum of Natural History

200 Central Park West

New York 10024-5102

New York

Email: rbenson@amnh.org Phone: (+1) 212-769-5811

Dr. Wendy Taylor

Research Associate, Palaeontology

University of Cape Town

Rondebosch 7701

Cape Town

Email: wendy.taylor@uct.ac.za

Email: wltaylo1@asu.edu

Phone: 021-650-2140

Dr. Miengah Abrahams

Lecturer (NGap)

University of Cape Town

Rondebsoch  7701

Cape Town

Email: miengah.abrahams@uct.ac

Silindokuhle Mavuso

Lecturer (NGap)

Rhodes University

Grahamstown.  6140

Eastern Cape

Email: s.mavuso@ru.ac.za

Phone: +27 (0) 46 6038511