ABOUT DR. DEB BENNETT, Ph.D.

Founder of Jayhawk Art & Imaging

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Dr. Bennett's Ph.D. (1984) is in Vertebrate Paleontology from the Department of Systematics and Ecology/Biology of the University of Kansas, Lawrence. She earned a B.S. in Geology in 1974 from The University of Michigan and a Master's degree in Geology in 1977 from K.U. From 1978 through 1984, Deb worked as the Scientific Illustrator for the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History.

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In 1982 her thesis research won the prestigious Romer Prize for Best Student Paper from the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. After graduating cum laude from K.U. in 1984, Dr. Deb worked at the U.S. National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution) in Washington, D.C. Thanks to her multiple capabilities as researcher, writer, editor, illustrator, and teacher, she worked for the Exhibits Department and later for the Education Department.

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Subsequently, Dr. Deb worked for the U.S. Department of Education in the capacity of Grant Reviewer, and then signed on as researcher and feature columnist for EQUUS Magazine, a well-edited and internationally-circulated topical read by over 250,000 horse owners worldwide. She has also written for several other regionally and nationally-circulated magazines (Conquistador, The Eclectic Horseman, The American Farriers Journal, and others). Dr. Deb's unique, biologically-based articles on horse and rider anatomy and biomechanics have won numerous industry accolades and a loyal readership.

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As early as 1977, Dr. Deb began giving public education talks and seminars for horse clubs and soon became a popular lecturer appearing at all the major "horse expos" and many state fairs. In a 40-year career, she has been invited to speak to the national convention of nearly every major American horse breed as well as dressage, jumpers, and distance-riding clubs, farriers, racing, and veterinary organizations, and the George Morris rider-education program sponsored by the U.S. Equestrian Federation which organizes and sponsors our Olympic equestrian team.

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As an independent contractor, Dr. Deb has worked for Dreamworks Animation as Scientific Consultant (screen credit for the animated feature "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron") and also earned screen credit for the live-action film "Hidalgo". In 1992 she founded Equine Studies Institute (www.equinestudies.org), an educational think-tank and topical publishing company whose motto is "fostering higher education in horsemanship". This is just another example of Dr. Deb's lifelong commitment to public education in science.

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Dr. Deb has numerous technical articles published in juried (peer-reviewed) scientific journals, and her bibliography also lists hundreds of popular articles on biological and veterinary themes. From 2005 through 2013, she worked as Zooarchaeologist (animal bone identification expert) at Vindolanda, a World Heritage archaeological site in northeastern England that dates to the Roman era.

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Throughout her career, Dr. Deb has worked to develop a rather rare skill: to find ways to explain scientific and technical subjects to non-scientists, whether on film, via audio recordings, public seminars, or in print. She knows how to bring facts and information "home" to an audience or a jury in ways that they can understand -- and are not likely to forget. This expertise has proven to be of direct benefit to lawyers, business and government leaders, and the film industry.