Paul Sereno Paleontologist

About Jessica

Jessica Schwartz has a background in youth program development and management. She was brought on to the Sereno Fossil Lab team in July of 2018 to help move outreach projects forward. Jessica obtained her Master’s in Social Work from Dominican University in 2008, following which, she worked as a Senior Program Manager for a nonprofit organization that engages high school students in service learning projects locally in Chicago and abroad.

Jessica helps to manage the Chicago Science Works project which aims to bring STEAM-themed labs for youth and a novel PaleoBiome to the Washington Park neighborhood. Last year, she piloted two new science engagement summer programs for Washington Park youth, PaleoLab and EcoLab. She also assists with the NigerHeritage project, which is an international effort to build a world-class natural history museum in the capital of Niger, and a cultural museum to celebrate the rich traditions and heritage of the Sahara in the city of Agadez, Niger.