Recipient of PRI's 2020 Katherine Palmer Award: Cameron Muskelly

Each year, the Paleontological Research Institution recognizes an individual who is not a professional paleontologist for the excellence of their contributions to the field. This award is named for PRI's second Director, Katherine Palmer, who was an avid supporter of avocational paleontology. PRI is pleased to announce that Mr. Cameron (Cam) Muskelly has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Katherine Palmer Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the science of paleontology.

Mr. Muskelly was nominated for this award by Ms. Kate Marriott. Excerpts from her letter of nomination follow:

“Cam … is only 21, and he has made incredible strides in paleontological and geological education and outreach in his home state of Georgia as well as online.”

“His first-rate educational outreach programs at Fernbank Science Center have become so popular and frequent that he now has his own program at the museum: ‘Cam's Fossil Jam,’ where he educates children from all walks of life on the fossils and biostratigraphy of the places he digs.”

“Several professional paleontologists have adopted a mentor stance toward Cam, even though he is not formally admitted as their student, due to his serious dedication and outstanding contributions. He has done field work with Gabe Ward, Robert Langford and a few others, but he often goes out on his own.”

“Cam's fossil cataloguing system is better than anything I've seen at any university or museum collection. The only person whose cataloguing schematic matches up with Cam is the preeminent Ralph Johnson, my dear friend who once won this very award. The careful curation of his fossils goes far beyond simple labelling and demonstrates an impressive mastery of fossil knowledge, far beyond what could be expected from someone so young and so separated from traditional academia.”

“[I]n addition to his own autodidactic studies, he takes the initiative to make the geosciences—empirically the least diverse of the sciences—accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities, address, or financial situation. I have watched him come up against personal challenges both in his life and in the lack of diversity within paleontology, and he only finds more ways to contribute to the field.”

Mr. Muskelly has also contributed to the Time Scavengers project. Two of his collaborators in this work, Dr. Jennifer Bauer (Research Museum Collection Manager at the University of Michigan) and Dr. Sarah Sheffield (Assistant Professor, School of Geosciences at the University of South Florida), provided the following additional comments that speak to Mr. Muskelly’s dedication to furthering and sharing the science of paleontology with a wide audience.

Comments from Dr. Jennifer Bauer:

“Cam's efforts in outreach and education to his local and online community are unmatched. … He also shares, promotes discussions, and supports other paleontologists online. Cam has not yet had formal paleontology or education training, but already has a larger professional and social paleontology network than anyone I know.” (Mr. Muskelly’s Twitter profile may be accessed at: https://twitter.com/PaleoCameron; his account is @PaleoCameron.)

Mr. Muskelly attended the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Section of the Geological Society of America as part of the Time Scavengers project. At the meeting “he was able to meet many of his online paleontology friends for the first time. Most telling, was a woman coming up to him and saying she brought him materials to help in his educational outreach endeavors. Cam turned to me and said, 'who was that?' She's friends with him online and wanted to help him succeed. A great example of how impactful and supportive his network is.”

“Cam takes every opportunity he is given to learn, spread knowledge, and make new friends. He carries fossils in his pockets to act as a starting point of conversation, no matter the venue!”

Comments from Dr. Sarah Sheffield:

“Cam has shared his absolute joy that he gains from Earth history and he does an incredible job of spreading his knowledge and enthusiasm in his community in Georgia. Not only that, his social media presence reaches other interested people nationally and even internationally.”

“Cam shares his experiences with being part of multiple underrepresented groups in paleontology … which provide a lot of positive support for other members of communities out there who can see themselves fitting in because of Cam.”

Ms. Marriot concluded her nomination letter by stating that “there is no one more worthy than Cam Muskelly of the highest avocational paleontology award around.”

In recognition of Mr. Muskelly’s numerous contributions to the promotion of the science of paleontology, we are pleased to present him with the 2020 Katherine Palmer Award.

A listing of all past recipients of the Palmer Award may be accessed here.