Paul Sereno’s discoveries, expeditions, numerous awards and professional writings create a dinosaur-sized resume, describing travels to places like Argentina, Niger, Morocco, Mongolia and Brazil in search of the remains of pre-historic animals with names like Sarosuchus Imperator.

 

This dinosaur hunter attended Naper Elementary, Washington Junior High and both Naperville Central and North high schools. He credits District 203 for helping an actively creative student like himself to “get swept along” in a high-performing environment. “The teachers in 203 saw something beneath it all. They went out of their way to try to find a productive way to channel my energy,” said Sereno, [who claims his public education days were less than stellar.]

 

Sereno discovered that he had a passion for art in high school and that was his major at Northern Illinois University until he visited his brother in New York and went to the American Museum of Natural History.

 

In 1984, he traveled around the world alone with $10,000 hidden on his body. He studied dinosaurs. In 1988, he led his first expedition to the Andes and discovered the early dinosaur, Herrerasaurus.

 

Sereno has brought bones back from every expedition he has led. Some discoveries have been firsts. None has been based on luck. “Luck doesn’t have anything to do with it,” said Sereno. “Every expedition is based on planning and perseverance and gathering a team with spirit and energy.” Sereno said that rock climbing in 130 degree temperatures isn’t the biggest hurdle his team may face. After much planning, they also must deal with the unexpected—the truck that breaks down in the middle of the desert or someone sick with malaria.

 

Along with his wife, Gabrielle Lyon, Sereno started Project Exploration to connect people, especially kids, with science. Their African Giants exhibit, [which formerly] inhabited Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory, is part of that effort. Sereno’s advice for students is, “There’s no need to make fast decisions on your career. You need to be open to opportunities. You need to get to college and take a variety of courses. Try to develop some of your many talents. Try to discover something about yourself.”