Nicholas C. Fraser | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nicholas Campbell Fraser (1956-01-14)14 January 1956 (age 69) Nottingham,Nottinghamshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Title | Keeper of Natural Sciences |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Two |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | University of Aberdeen |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Palaeontology |
| Sub-discipline | Triassic period Vertebrate palaeontology |
| Institutions | Virginia Museum of Natural History National Museums Scotland |
Nicholas Campbell Fraser (born 14 January 1956), known asNicholas C. Fraser, is a Britishpalaeontologist, academic, andmuseum curator. He specialises in theTriassic period andvertebrate palaeontology. Since 2007, he has been Keeper of Natural Sciences at theNational Museums Scotland. He has beenadjunct professor ofgeology atVirginia Tech since 1993 and atNorth Carolina State University since 2007.[1][2]
Fraser was born on 14 January 1956 inNottingham,Nottinghamshire, England, to Hugh and Patricia Fraser.[1] He studiedzoology at theUniversity of Aberdeen, and graduated with aBachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1978.[1][2] He remained at Aberdeen to undertakepostgraduate research ingeology,[2] and completed hisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1984.[1]
Fraser began his career as an academic, and was aresearch fellow ofGirton College, Cambridge between 1985 and 1990.[1] He maintains his link to academia through a number of visiting positions: since 1993, he has beenadjunct professor ofgeology atVirginia Tech;[1][3] since 2007, he has also been Adjunct Professor of Geology atNorth Carolina State University.
In 1990, Fraser moved to the United States where he joined theVirginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH).[1] He worked there for the next 18 years.[2] He wasCurator ofVertebrate Palaeontology from 1990 to 2007, and also Director of Research and Collections from 2004 to 2007.[1] He remains affiliated with VMNH as aresearch associate.[4]
In 2007, he returned to the United Kingdom.[1] That year, he joined theNational Museums Scotland as Keeper of Natural Sciences, and Head of its Department of Natural Sciences.[1][2] In addition, he is involved in the TW:eed Project (Tetrapod World: early evolution and diversity),[2][5] and in investigating theJurassicvertebrates of theIsle of Skye.[2]
Throughout his career, Fraser has been involved in a number ofexcavations worldwide including sites in China, Europe, and North America. He has completed 10 seasons of excavation at theMorrison Formation inWyoming, USA.[5] He helped nameAmotosaurus, atanystropheidprotorosaur from theMiddle Triassic in Germany;[6]Fuyuansaurus, a protorosaur reptile from the Middle Triassic in China;[7] andEobalaenoptera.[8]
In 1982, Fraser married Christine Mary. Together, they have two daughters.[1]
In 1985, Fraser was awarded anhonoraryMaster of Arts (MA (Catab)) degree by theUniversity of Cambridge.[1]
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