Dean Lomax: From Teenage Fossil Enthusiast to Ichthyosaur Expert

Dean Lomax grew up in Doncaster with fossils on his mind, but early school setbacks nearly derailed his dream of becoming a palaeontologist. In the Life Scientific podcast, he recounts selling his Star Wars collection to fund a four month dig at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, where a large sauropod femur kickstarted his scientific career and a first publication at age 20. He explains what ichthyosaurs were, how top predators ruled ancient seas, and how a fossil emerged from what his Doncaster museum staff once thought was a plaster cast. The interview spans his later work, including Carboniferous finds in Doncaster, a master’s and PhD at Manchester, and landmark discoveries such as the Rutland Sea Dragon and giant ichthyosaur fragments from the Somerset coast. It also highlights his public outreach and media collaborations that popularise science.

• Perseverance over pedigree: unconventional paths can lead to major discoveries
• Ichthyosaurs as windows into ancient oceans and predation
• Public outreach amplifies science through books and media
• Giant ichthyosaurs and soft tissue preservation push size and time boundaries

Overview

The podcast presents the life and work of Dr Dean Lomax, a palaeontologist whose passions for fossils began in childhood and who turned early academic challenges into a celebrated career centered on ichthyosaurs, ancient marine reptiles that dominated prehistoric seas. Lomax recounts how his teenage enthusiasm faced blunt verdicts from teachers yet ultimately propelled him toward fieldwork, publication, and high-profile discoveries. The conversation blends personal history, scientific insights, and public engagement, showing how curiosity, persistence and collaboration can redefine a scientific path.

Early life and education

Lomax describes growing up in Doncaster with family support and a relentless love of natural history. He faced disruptive schooling and was told he would never become a paleontologist. A pivotal moment came when a supply teacher asked where the best place in the world for palaeontology might be, and Lomax suggested America. This led to a life-changing invitation to volunteer at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center during a summer break. He used demonstrations of initiative, including selling his Star Wars collection to fund the trip, demonstrating a willingness to take risks to pursue his dream.

Wyoming dig and first publication

On day one in the American dig, Lomax uncovered a large sauropod femur, quickly drawing the attention of senior paleontologists. The experience led to his first scientific paper, published when he was about 20, a significant milestone given his nontraditional route into academia. Working with ichthyosaur experts Judy Massere and Bill Wall, he learned the difference between academic writing and publishing in peer reviewed journals, and his early drafts were described as imperfect but foundational. The publication established him as a contributor to the field, culminating in the description of a real ichthyosaur specimen with a preserved last meal of fish and squid.

Whitby field guide and first book

Back in the UK Lomax volunteered at Doncaster Museum and made a decisive observation that helped him publish and publish again. His success spurred him to author Fossils of the Whitby coast, a field guide published when he was just 21. The book reflected his interest in practical identification of fossils along the Yorkshire coast and broadened his audience beyond the scientific community to amateur collectors and the public.

Doncaster Carboniferous finds and Manchester affiliation

Continuing his museum volunteering, Lomax pursued fieldwork at spoil tip sites around Doncaster. His team eventually uncovered dozens of Carboniferous fossil plants and other remains, including a fossil shark egg case. This local discovery earned media attention and helped cement a long term collaboration with the University of Manchester, enabling him to pursue a master's degree and ultimately a PhD without a traditional undergraduate route. The Manchester affiliation marked a turning point in formal qualification while he continued to publish and expand his fieldwork.

Giant ichthyosaur discoveries

The podcast highlights Lomax's ongoing fieldwork, including a jawbone fragment on the Somerset coast that suggested a giant ichthyosaur, potentially blue whale sized. Later, a father and daughter discovered additional fragments of the same bone, reinforcing the existence of a rare Time interval specimen and enabling more complete description. In 2024 Lomax and collaborators named this enormous animal Ichthy Titan, estimated at around 26 meters in length, with potential for even larger material that could extend beyond 30 meters. A major expedition to film a documentary and IMAX project centers on these finds and the broader story of giant ichthyosaurs.

Rutland Sea Dragon and soft tissue discovery

One of Lomax's most famous finds is the Rutland Sea Dragon, a remarkably complete early Jurassic ichthyosaur discovered in Rutland Water. The skeleton yielded a rare, highly complete snapshot of marine reptile anatomy, including a skull block weighing over a ton. In a later Nature publication Lomax and colleagues reported the unprecedented discovery of soft tissues within a large ichthyosaur flipper, revealing the presence of preserved soft tissue structures and a set of chondroderms that imply stealth or silent swimming. This study bridged palaeontology with biomimicry, suggesting potential modern design applications such as reduced wind noise in turbines.

Outreach, media and advice for aspiring scientists

Beyond discoveries Lomax emphasizes the importance of outreach, working with schools to show that persistence and curiosity can overcome barriers. He advocates for gaining diverse experiences and being willing to take risks, while also ensuring that palaeontology remains accessible and engaging. The podcast underscores the value of bridging academia with public storytelling, including TV projects and popular science books that expand the impact of his research beyond academic circles.

Closing reflections

The conversation closes with Lomax reflecting on the pleasures of discovery, the responsibility of sharing science with broad audiences, and the ongoing quest to add to humanitys understanding of ancient life. The podcast illustrates how a passion pursued with patience and perseverance can reshape a life and expand the horizons of a science that connects us to our long planetary past.