Shureice Kornegay composes a field update in the library tent for Project Exploration's online expedition. Photo © Mike Hettwer, courtesy Project Exploration. www.projectexploration.org

Shureice Kornegay was a team member on the 2005 expedition to Niger and served as one of the primary writers for the 2005 Project Exploration online expedition.

Shureice and fellow Junior Paleontologist Susan Silva jacket a tyrannosaur in Wyoming with Project Exploration in 2003. Photo © Gabrielle Lyon, courtesy Project Exploration. www.projectexploration.org

Shureice “unearthed” her passion for science and exploration during her involvement with Project Exploration. As a freshman at Chicago’s Amundsen High School, Shureice was selected to be a Junior Paleontologist – one of twelve students from around the city who participated in an intensive, three-week immersion into geology, paleontology and anatomy. Shureice fell in love with fieldwork and writing, and became one of Project Exploration’s most active student members, eventually serving on the Project Exploration board of directors between 2005-2007.

Shureice works with technology manager Glen Ostgaard to learn the computer-satellite system used to create Project Exploration's online expeditions from the field. Photo © Mike Hettwer, courtesy Project Exploration. www.projectexploration.org

As a student at Northern Illinois University, she pursued her interests in writing and science as an anthropology major and writer for the school newspaper.

Shureice reviews the discovery of the "Bracelet Girl" with Paul Sereno during the 2005 Expedition. Photo © Mike Hettwer, courtesy Project Exploration. www.projectexploration.org

When Paul invited her to join the 2005 expedition to Niger, Shureice jumped at the opportunity. There was just one condition: she would need to serve as “expedition ambassador,” sharing her story with avid visitors to the online expedition. Shureice gladly obliged.

Shureice and archaeologist Elena Garcea excavating the Tenerean skeleton nicknamed "Bracelet Girl." Photo © Mike Hettwer, courtesy Project Exploration. www.projectexploration.org

Learn More About Shureice's Experience with Science and Project Exploration

• The Chicago Sun Times interviewed Shureice while she was in the field in 2005.
• Read an interview with Shureice conducted by Project Exploration student.

Shureice and Bido, a Nigerienne expedition member, carefully sieve sediment collected from the burial site of the "Bracelet Girl." Photo © Mike Hettwer, courtesy Project Exploration. www.projectexploration.org