51ĀŅĀ×

This is part of a series of stories related to the celebration of the 51ĀŅĀ× Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine's 50-year anniversary. 

Professor of Anatomy and the Chang Ying-Chien Professor of Paleontology Lawrence Witmer, Ph.D., recently hit a significant milestone: his 30-year anniversary with the college.

Since joining OHIO on Sept. 1, 1995, he has pioneered new research techniques, played a critical role in shaping paleontological science and inspired countless students.

ā€œI'm not done yet, but it's been a fulfilling run thus far, watching students succeed, the lab grow and science happening,ā€ said Witmer.

30 years of innovation

For three decades, Witmer has revolutionized how scientists reconstruct the past. His lab at 51ĀŅĀ×, known as WitmerLab, has become a global leader in paleobiological research, blending traditional anatomical dissection with modern imaging methods like CT scans and 3D modeling. His team was among the first in paleontology to apply biomedical engineering tools to analyze fossils, techniques that have become standard in the field.

His Extant Phylogenetic Bracket approach is now widely used to reconstruct soft-tissue features in extinct species. By examining the anatomy of modern-day animals like birds and crocodilians, WitmerLab can digitally "flesh out" dinosaurs, providing new insights into how they breathed, heard, saw and even thought.

In addition to his academic achievements, Witmer has worked tirelessly to make science accessible to the public. His television appearancesā€”from Jurassic Fight Club to Dinosaur Apocalypseā€”have helped bring paleontology into classrooms and living rooms worldwide.

ā€œDinosaurs are a gateway drug,ā€ Witmer said. ā€œThey provide a vehicle to talk about science.ā€

But Witmerā€™s work isnā€™t just about ancient bones. He sees powerful lessons in Earthā€™s long history. The importance of understanding the past to inform the future is a theme that resonates in his teaching and public outreach.

Witmer shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to mentor the next generation of scientists, pushing boundaries with the same passion he brought to the university 30 years ago.

ā€œNot everyone gets to live out their childhood dream,ā€ Witmer said. ā€œNow, I try to open those doors for others.ā€

Then and now: the story behind the image

In the top image from 1995, photographed by John Sattler, a younger Witmer, donning classic ā€˜90s attire and as he described, ā€œrocking a period-correct mustacheā€ poses with a T. rex skull on the lawn of his home. At the time, his lab wasnā€™t yet ready.

ā€œMy two-year-old son assumed everyone had a T. rex skull in their garage,ā€ said Witmer.

Fast forward to now in a photo captured this year, we see a seasoned researcher in a high-tech lab, surrounded by dinosaur skulls, including the same T. rex ā€“ now painted and a centerpiece of his research space.