Akiko Shinya

Chief Preparator

Negaunee Integrative Research Center
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    Akiko Shinya is the Field’s Chief Fossil Preparator. She prepares vertebrate fossils using mechanical, manual, and chemical methods, and manages three of the museum’s vertebrate fossil preparation labs. Akiko specializes in micro-preparation but prepares numerous specimens, including both macro and microvertebrate, invertebrate, and paleobotanical specimens. She has also prepared fossils and conducted fieldwork in various domestic and international localities, including North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Antarctica. Akiko also shares her knowledge by training volunteers, students, and other technicians.
    Alongside many curators, associated researchers, and students, she and her team prepare a wide variety of specimens including dinosaurs, fish, birds, amphibians, mammals, synapsids, and marine reptiles. Her lab is always full of untouched ancient creatures from all over the world.

    Education and Work

    • 2003 - current Chief Preparator, Fossil Vertebrates. The Field Museum
    • 2001 - 2003 Fossil Preparator I. The Field Museum
    • 2000 - 2001 Dr. Reisz Vertebrate Fossil Lab, University of Toronto, Canada
    • 1999 - 2000 Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada
    • BSc in Geology, University of Toronto, Canada

    Accomplishments

    Publications

    • Tanaka, T., Wada, K., Shinya, A. and Ikeda, T., 2024. The challenge of hard-to-reach spaces in mechanical fossil preparation: Development of the Wada air scribe, a novel short-bodied air scribe with an adjustable handle. Palaeontologia Electronica, 27(1), pp.1-19.
    • Canale, J.I., Apesteguía, S., Gallina, P.A., Mitchell, J., Smith, N.D., Cullen, T.M., Shinya, A., Haluza, A., Gianechini, F.A. and Makovicky, P.J., 2022. New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction. Current Biology, 32(14), pp.3195-3202.
    • Shinya, A., Van Beek, C., and Makovicky, P.J., 2023. Plaster Field Jackets using air filter mediaL an alternative to traditional burlap and plaster jackets. Association of Materials & Methods in Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2023, 132. 
    • Shinya, A., Wada, K., Tanaka, T., and Ikeda, K., 2023. The challenge of hard-to-reach spaces in mechanical fossil preparation: development of a novel short-bodied air scribe with a flexible head. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2023, 390. 
    • Shinya, A., Van Beek, C., and Makovicky, P.J., 2022. Plaster Field Jackets using air filter mediaL an alternative to traditional burlap and plaster jackets. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2022, 304. 
    • Makovicky, P.J., Canale, J., Apesteguía, S., Gallina, P., Mitchell, J., Smith, N.D., Cullen, T., Shinya, A., Haluza, A., and Gianechini, F., 2022. A new Carcharodontosaurid from the Neuquen Group, Patagonia, Argentina, with a near complete skull and forelimbs informs evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2022, 229.
    • Makovicky, P.J., Darrough, G., Cullen, T.M., Fix, M., Gorscak, E., McDonald, A., Saitta, E.T., Shinya, A., Stinchcomb, R., Wiersma, J., 2020. New specimens of the basal hadrosauroid Parrosaurus missouriensis, from the Late Cretaceous of Missouri, U.S.A. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2020, 233.
    • Sato, T., and Shinya, A., 2019. A practical guide to start a new vertebrate fossil preparation lab. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2019, 187. 
    • Shinya, A., Van Beek, C., and Makovicky, P., 2019. Challenged in the field: collecting wet vertebrate fossils with the application of Acrysol WS24, Acryloid B72, and cyanoacrylate consolidants. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2019, 191.
    • Van Beek, C., and Shinya, A., 2019. Preparation of wet vertebrate fossils: devising strategies to mitigate damage. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2019, 210.
    • Sadleir, R. W., and Shinya, A., 2015. Getting 2D X-Ray systems to yield 3D images via cone beam computed tomography. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2015, 206.
    • Makovicky, P.J., Shinya, A., Zanno, L., 2014. New additions to the diversity of the Mussentuchit member, Cedar Mountain Formation dinosaur fauna. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2014, 175.
    • Shinya, A., 2013. Use of silicone caulk as a separator for field jackets. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2014, 212. 
    • Wada, K., Ikeda, T., Saegusa, H., and Shinya, A., 2012. Stylus sharpening instrument for fossil preparation. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2012, 119. 
    • Shinya, A., 2010. Use of rigid, semi-rigid, and transparent cradles for preparation and long term storage of delicate specimens. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2010, 164. 
    • Herzog, L., and Shinya, A., 2009. Effective micropreparation workstation setup. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 29:S3, 114A.
    • Shinya, A. and L. Bergwell. 2007. Pyrite Oxidation: Review and Prevention Practices. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 27:S3, 145A.

    Research Sketch

    During my time at the University of Toronto, I studied how ankle bones in certain animals changed over time. Now, as a fossil preparator, I focus on learning and teaching different methods in labs and in the field. I work closely with The Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo (HITOHAKU), helping to develop tools for fossil labs. I also share these methods in conferences and publish them in scientific journals. Recently, we published a paper on making an air scribe that we named ‘Wada Air Scribe’ using parts from a regular hardware store. Additionally, I'm part of a long-term project in Missouri called the Missouri Ozark Dinosaur Project, where we're uncovering unique dinosaur and other fossil remains.