Patrick M. O'Connor (Ohio University) is a vertebrate paleontologist and comparative biologist interested in archosaurian paleobiology, particularly the evolution of birds and dinosaurs. His previous research on the biogeographic history of Cretaceous-age vertebrates from Madagascar motivated him to identify contemporaneous continental depositional settings on the African continent. Pat leads paleontological exploration and excavation activities in the middle Cretaceous Galula Formation of Tanzania. He is currently describing novel crocodyliform and avian taxa collected on recent RRBP expeditions.

Nancy J. Stevens (Ohio University) is a vertebrate paleontologist and functional morphologist interested in mammalian evolution during the Paleogene-Neogene interval. Her field research efforts aim to expand sampling of the Paleogene vertebrate record of Afro-Arabia. Nancy leads paleontological exploration and excavation activities in the Oligocene Nsungwe Formation of Tanzania. She recently described two new species of micromammals (a hyracoid and a rodent) from the Rukwa Rift and is currently studying novel macroscelideans and primates discovered on recent expeditions.

Michael D. Gottfried (Michigan State University) is a vertebrate paleontologist interested in the evolutionary history and biogeography of freshwater and marine fishes. Mike's research explores Gondwanan fish radiations through field work on New Zealand and Madagascar, and he is currently describing extensive fish faunas recovered from both the Galula (middle Cretaceous) and Nsungwe (late Oligocene) Formations, and relating those finds to the faunas currently inhabiting Africa's great lakes.

Eric M. Roberts (James Cook University) is a sedimentary geologist interested in Cretaceous and Paleogene sequences on the African continent. Working throughout central Africa, Eric is the lead RRBP geoscientist and has recently completed a multi-year study on the stratigraphy, sedimentology, and geochronology of deposits in the Rukwa Rift Basin. Eric also leads the project's efforts on taphonomy and is currently compiling taphonomic data to help profile the depositional setting and paleoenvironmental context of RRBP fossil finds.

Tobin Hieronymus (Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine) is an evolutionary morphologist whose research focuses on the development and evolution of hard keratinized skin structures in vertebrates—beaks, scales, horns, and feathers. His work uses an integrative approach that combines field paleontology and classical comparative anatomy with evolutionary modeling and molecular techniques. He began working on the RRBP in 2004 as a graduate student at Ohio University, with growing involvement in the research effort since receiving his doctorate in 2009.

Sifa E. Ngasala (Michigan State University, University of Dar es Salaam) is a geologist and vertebrate paleontologist focused on lungfish adaptation and evolution on the African continent. Sifa began working with the RRBP in 2004 as a University of Dar es Salaam MS graduate student exploring the sedimentology and paleoenvironment of the Rukwa Rift Basin. His PhD research at Michigan State University explores regional/continental biogeographic patterning and paleoecological implications of the evolutionary radiation of lungfishes.