“Will’s dedication to and generosity in helping other students with paleo projects and creating a welcoming workspace, and his sense of humor and ready congeniality, make him a very special student indeed.” – Tiffany Adrain 

Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa

Faculty mentors/advisors: Tiffany Adrain, PhD, special collections manager and adjunct instructor, School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Caroline Parris, PhD, research collections director, School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Degree program and anticipated graduation date: BS in biology, Spring 2028

William Sprengelmeyer is leading efforts to conserve and digitize Iowa’s paleontological treasures. As the lead preparator for “Dolly,” a mastodon excavated in Wayne County, Sprengelmeyer has spent hundreds of hours cleaning and stabilizing fragile bones for public display at the Prairie Trails Museum. His work includes researching preservation techniques, designing custom mounts, and training other students in fossil preparation.

Sprengelmeyer also spearheads the digitization of the University of Iowa Paleontology Repository, using 3D scanning to create high-quality models of specimens for public and academic access. 

“I have been able to meet and work with a wide range of staff and learn from all of them,” says Sprengelmeyer. “All of these people have different jobs, but they all overlap with paleontology in one way or another. Getting to work with each of them has increased my understanding of the nuances of the field in a way no textbook could ever dream of doing.”

After graduation, Sprengelmeyer plans to pursue a master’s degree and eventually a PhD, aiming for a career in museum collections and paleontology.