Dr Lachlan Hart

Lachlan is a vertebrate palaeontologist and lecturer in Education at the University of New South Wales. His research focuses on the evolution, systematics and palaeobiology of Mesozoic tetrapods and insects, including temnospondyl amphibians, crocodyliformes and dinosaurs. Lachlan is particularly interested in exploring what can be learnt about extinct animals from studying their living descendants. He is also an accomplished educator with over 20 years of experience across primary and tertiary education.

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): University of New South Wales - 2024
• Master of Science (Research): University of New England (Armidale) - 2019
• Graduate Diploma in Science: University of New England (Armidale) - 2015
• Graduate Certificate in Science: University of New England (Armidale) - 2013
• Bachelor of Education (Primary): University of Western Sydney - 2008

• School of Education Research Outputs Scheme – 2025
• Australian Museum Foundation Project: Unearthing an Ancient Amphibian - 2024
• University of New South Wales HDR Completion Scholarship - 2023-2024
• University of New South Wales BEES-DRTG - 2023
• University of New South Wales Development and Research Training Grant - 2023
• Earth and Environmental Sustainability Research Centre Discretionary Funds - 2022
• Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Jackson School of Geosciences Travel Grant - 2022
• University of New South Wales Development and Research Training Grant – 2022
• BEES Postgraduate Student Forum: Outstanding Earth and Sustainability Science Presentation - 2021
• University of New South Wales PANGEA ECR/HDR Grant Award - 2020
• Australian Museum Research Institute Postgraduate Award - 2020
• Australian Government Research Training Program - 2020-2023
• UNE Keith and Dorothy Mackay Postgraduate Travelling Scholarship – 2018
• Geological Society of Australia NSW Branch Earth Science Student Symposium: Best Presentation, Best Overall Contribution – 2017
• 3 Minute Thesis: Asia Pacific Semi-Finalist, Cosmos Magazine Editors Choice – 2017
• 3 Minute Thesis: UNE Winner, School of ERS Winner - 2017

• Hart, L. J., Ślipiński, A., Frese, M., Djokic, T., & McCurry, M. R. (2025). The first fossil longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Australia. The Science of Nature, 112(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-024-01954-0
• Hart, L. J., Engel, M. S., Frese, M., & McCurry, M. R. (2024). The first fossil mantis lacewing (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from Australia. Palaeoentomology, 7(3), 345-348. https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.7.3.3
• Hart, L. J., Gee, B. M., Smith, P. M., & McCurry, M. R. (2022). A new chigutisaurid (Brachyopoidea, Temnospondyli) with soft tissue preservation from the Triassic Sydney Basin, New South Wales, Australia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 42(6), e2232829. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2023.2232829
• Hart, L. J., Campione, N. E., & McCurry, M. R. (2022). On the estimation of body mass in temnospondyls: a case study using the large‐bodied Eryops and Paracyclotosaurus. Palaeontology, 65(6), e12629. https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12629
• Hart, L. J., McCurry, M. R., Frese, M., Peachey, T. J., & Brocks, J. (2021). The first tetrapod remains from the Upper Jurassic Talbragar Fossil Fish Bed. Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, 45(4), 423 428. https://doi.org/10.1080/03115518.2021.1983651
• Hart, L.J., Bell, P. R., Smith, E. T., Mitchell, D. R., Brougham, T., & Salisbury, S. W. (2021). A probable skeleton of Isisfordia (Crocodyliformes) and additional crocodyliform remains from the Griman Creek Formation (Cenomanian, New South Wales, Australia). Journal of Paleontology, 95(2), 351-366. https://doi.org/10.1017/jpa.2020.98
• Hart, L.J. (2020) Taxonomic clarifications concerning the crocodyliform genus Isisfordia. PeerJ. 8:e8630 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8630
• Hart, L.J., Bell, P. R., Smith, E.T., Salisbury, S. W. (2019) Isisfordia molnari sp. nov., a new basal eusuchian from the mid-Cretaceous of Lightning Ridge, Australia. PeerJ. 7: e7166. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7166