Thomas R. Holtz Jr.

Thomas Richard Holtz Jr., born on September 13, 1965, is a distinguished American vertebrate paleontologist and a principal lecturer at the University of Maryland's Department of Geology. His extensive research focuses on the phylogeny, morphology, ecomorphology, and locomotion of terrestrial predators, with a particular emphasis on tyrannosaurids and other theropod dinosaurs.

Holtz is well-known for his contributions to the field, having authored the book 'Dinosaurs' and contributed to the second edition of 'The Dinosauria' with chapters on 'Saurischia', 'Basal Tetanurae', and 'Tyrannosauroidea'. His expertise has made him a sought-after scientific advisor, lending his knowledge to the acclaimed BBC series 'Walking with Dinosaurs' and the Discovery special 'When Dinosaurs Roamed America'.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Holtz has appeared in various documentaries that explore prehistoric life, including 'Jurassic Fight Club', 'Monsters Resurrected', 'Dinosaur Revolution', and 'Clash of the Dinosaurs'. His passion for education extends beyond the classroom as he serves as the director of the Science and Global Change Program within the College Park Scholars living-learning community at the University of Maryland, College Park.