Dr. Rodney Feldmann and Dr. Carrie Schweitzer manage the paleontology laboratories and collections of the Department of Earth Sciences. The Paleontology Collection is housed in McGilvrey Hall, Room 340. The collection consists of over 12,500 cataloged specimens, including a comparative collection of over 2,500 fossil decapod crustaceans. In addition, several hundred extant species of decapods, along with other invertebrates, are housed in the spirit collection. Other significant collections include a large collection of trace fossils from northeastern Ohio, and approximately 5,000 specimens in the teaching collection.
The microscopy and imaging facilities include a Leica DM EP polarizing microscope with phase contrast and darkfield illumination and a Z6 macroscope, both equipped with a Spotflex digital imaging system as well as several Wild M5 binocular scopes. A Nikon D3100 camera with an AF-S micro Nikkor 60 mm lens and copystand facilitate macrophotography.
The fossil preparatory laboratory contains a Leica MZ6 binocular microscope on a boom arm; two Murray Engineering Microjacks and a Chicago Pneumatic Airscribe; SS White Model-K Airbrasive unit; and an ultrasonic bath, Soiltest drying oven, and a fume hood.
The thin section laboratory contains a Highland Park trim saw, a Buehler Isomet Low Speed Saw, Leco VP-50 and VP160 precision lap wheels, a Hillquist thin section machine, a Shel Lab SVAC2E vacuum oven, and a portable vacuum chamber.