 Master Skeleton Articulator Mike deRoos is the master skeleton articulator on the project. A native of Vancouver, he has always been interested in biology, the ocean, and building things large and small. During his BSc (completed in part at UBC), he articulated his first marine mammal skeleton (a sea otter) as part of a field course at the Bamfield Marine Station. The project combined his interest in marine biology with construction experience gained while working in the family contracting business. He proved a natural at this unconventional line of work, and started his own independent contracting business in 2004. Since 2000, Mike has articulated 11 marine mammal skeletons, including a 60' fin whale on display at the Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Center, and a killer whale, minke whale, three pacific white-sided dolphins and two Steller sea lions on display in the Aquatic Ecosystems Research Labs (AERL) building at UBC. You can visit Mike's work in AERL, located just south of the Biological Sciences Building at Main Mall and University Boulevard, and adjacent to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. When not working with bones, Mike can be a hard guy to find, but he’s usually either somewhere in the mountains, out on the water in anything that floats, exploring with his one year old or hiding in his shop making biodiesel.  Project management, assistant articulator Michi has a background in marine ecology and conservation biology. Over the past several years, she has worked in education, marine interpretation, marine mammal research and wildlife policy. When not working, Michi spends her time outside, volunteering on local conservation initiatives, skiing, running and chasing after her one year old. Michi has been involved full-time in UBC's Skeleton Project since late 2007 and has been managing and working on the Blue Whale Project from its smelly beginnings.  The fixer, assistant articulator As Jesse says, “with a BA in English Literature, the next
logical career move had to be skeleton articulation…” and so he first began
helping Mike with UBC’s skeleton project. With an impressively diverse skill
set (and a poor sense of smell), Jesse has been managing the Blue Whale
Project’s degreasing operation and doing a little bit of everything down at the
workshop since the skeleton first arrived in Victoria. When not at the workshop, Jesse (aka the bone
protector) can usually be found training in jujitsu. George Hudson Welder, assistant articulator George is a talented aircraft welder who has been convinced to temporarily leave his idyllic Pender Island shop to work on the Blue Whale Project. With several years of aircraft, industrial and artistic welding experience, George has worked on many larger-than-blue-whale sized objects but this is his first living (though now dead) subject.  Vapour degreasing, assistant articulator Bob is retired building contractor whose experienced tools, truck and his reputation for being able to fix anything have become indispensable to the project. When not working, Bob would rather be skiing, sailing or playing the guitar… but he can usually be found running after his thirty year old son looking for his missing tools.  Rib molding/casting and bone repair David Hunwick has over 28 years of professional sculpting experience and is the proprietor of Studio 63, which specializes in mould making & casting. David is also on the teaching faculty at Victoria College of Art. David has taken on the complex job of molding and casting the ribs for the Blue Whale Project articulation in light weight fiberglass and helping out with bone repair. You can see David’s work at: www.davidhunwick.com  Bone repair Elizabeth joined the Blue Whale Project to repair damaged bones in November 2009. She enjoys contributing to this massive project with dental tools, pieces of sandpaper and epoxy based resin. In her free time, Elizabeth can be found creating art and cycling in Victoria, rain or shine.
Bone Repair After volunteering with the wonderfully messy work of
cleaning the bones last winter, Leah officially joined the Blue Whale team in
December 2009 to work on bone repairs. Leah has a background in marine biology
and when not working she can be found hiking, camping and pursuing her love of
nature photography. Leah is also currently working towards her master’s degree
in environmental education and communications.  Public outreach and education coordinator Natalie has worked in environmental education and conservation, specializing in marine topics and cetaceans. She has taught at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and the "Bones Project" whale interpretive center, in Telegraph Cove. Also a licensed boat captain, she has worked as a guide and captain in the waters around Southern Vancouver Island, New Zealand, and Antarctica. Natalie is now a graduate student pursuing a degree in Environmental Education and Communication. sites.google.com/site/nataliebowes  Repair disguiser  Skull reconstruction Frank is the president of Palcoprep Inc. (www.palcoprep.com). His work entails everything from fossil preparation to welding and fabrication of armatures for fossil mounts. When work ends, Frank enjoys time with his family, playing tennis and hockey. A frustrated drummer, he dreams of one day hitting the stage with his band.  Skull reconstruction Self-described as an “accidental” paleontologist, Gilles has had an impressive career working as a technician for the Canadian Museum of Nature, senior technician for the Royal Alberta Museum and was among the founding staff at the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller. Gilles has been working privately since 1989 specializing in the preparation, melding, casting and mounting of skeletons. Over the years, Mr. Danis has collected 56 dinosaur skeletons ranging from Dromaeosaurs to sauropods, and has mounted 347 skeletons, cast reproductions and originals.  Bone inspection Miya was kind of born into the business, having experienced her first dead whale in utero during the PEI recovery dig. Between naps, Miya can sometimes be seen down at the workshop checking out the bones and keeping the crew on their toes. |
