About Fossils After Dark

Markus Martin is a well known paleontologist whose groundbreaking contributions have illuminated the ancient world of trilobites and early life on the planet. With over 25 years of experience, Markus has earned international acclaim for his pioneering work on soft-tissue preservation, particularly at the renowned Beecher’s Trilobite Bed in New York, which he solely manages. His discovery of the world’s only known trilobite eggs, along with crustaceans brooding their young have reshaped our understanding of early reproductive biology in the fossil record.

Markus has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, many pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the behavior of animals that lived nearly half a billion years ago. His most recent paper, “Unravelling parallel conceptions of the Ordovician trilobite Flexicalymene senaria,…” was co-authored with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Markus has also worked with Yale University, The British Museum of Natural History, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and many others.

His work in paleontology garnered him a prestigious feature article in The New Yorker and Atlas Obscura, as well as a lifetime benefactorship at the Yale University Peabody Museum, reflecting his global influence. His fossil photography has been showcased in National Geographic. Markus continues his work in paleontology while serving as Chief Operating Officer of a 3D imaging company.

Alena Martin is a scientist, paleontologist, and specialist in close-range photogrammetry. As Founder of Museum Traveller, a software development company dedicated to virtual museum experiences, she enables global audiences to access world-class collections remotely, fostering education and discovery from any location.

Holding a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Alena integrates computational expertise with paleontological research to advance the conservation of prehistoric artifacts. Her proficiency in photogrammetry facilitates the creation of high-fidelity digital replicas of fossils, preserving details vulnerable to environmental degradation. She has documented dinosaur and ancient crocodile tracks, underscoring the threats posed by erosion to these invaluable sites. Her research advocates for digital archiving as a critical strategy in heritage protection.

Alena contributes to public discourse through appearances on podcasts such as Strangers Worth Meeting and Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome. Her interdisciplinary work has earned recognition from Forbes and Built In for advancing the intersection of technology and paleontology.