Laurie Bonner-Nickless is an award-winning author and researcher with a diverse background in cinematography and telecommunications. She has received awards for her poetry and artwork and has contributed as an outdoor journalist and webmaster. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

In 2004, she and her husband, Mark Nickless, initiated the "Piasa Project," leading to the publication of *Chasing Dragons: The True History of the Piasa*. Their research posits that the original Piasa painting, first documented by French explorer Father Marquette in 1673, was created around 1430 A.D. by Admiral Zheng He's Chinese expedition. 

The couple has presented their findings at international conferences, including the 5th Zheng He International Peace Forum in Surabaya, Indonesia, in July 2019, where they received the Best Presentation Award. 

Laurie is currently working on translating additional chapters of Luo Mao Deng's epic and restoring the original illustrations accompanying the text.

Mark Nickless

Laurie Bonner-Nickless