Education:

	2000-present	University of Pennsylvania. Ph.D. Candidate: Paleobiology.
	1996-2000	University of Arizona. Major Department: Geosciences. Summa Cum Laude, With Honors. Cumulative GPA: 4.0
	1992-1996	Marcos de Niza High School. Highest Honors, Salutatorian.

Awards and Honors:

	9/00-5/05	NSF Graduate Research Fellowship - National Science Foundation support for graduate studies
	9/01-5/03	William Penn Fellowship - University of Pennsylvania graduate student fellowship
	5/01, 5/02, 5/03	Paleobiology Summer Stipend - UPENN Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences support for summer research
	5/00	Academic Award of Excellence - Recognition for graduation with honors and a 4.0 cumulative GPA
	5/00	Outstanding Senior Award - University of Arizona Department of Geosciences
	5/00	Grace Giue Scholarship - Support for women pursuing higher education
	11/99	David L. Moore Memorial Scholarship - University of Arizona Department of Geosciences funding for undergraduate research
	5/99	Phi Beta Kappa - University of Arizona, inducted as member
	5/99	Undergraduate Research Grant - University of Arizona Honors Center, funding for research project
	4/99	Geodaze Geology Symposium - University of Arizona Department of Geosciences, First Place Undergraduate Presentation
	4/99	Geodaze Geology Symposium - University of Arizona Department of Geosciences, Third Place Poster Presentation
	12/98	David L. Moore Memorial Scholarship - University of Arizona Department of Geosciences funding for undergraduate research
	5/97-5/98	Golden Key National Honors Society - University of Arizona, nominated for membership
	12/96-5/98	Dean's List with Distinction - University of Arizona
	5/98	First Level Honors - University of Arizona
	1/98	The National Dean's List - nominated for inclusion
	5/96	Arizona Merit Scholarship - University of Arizona
	5/96	Arizona Regents Academic Waiver Award - University of Arizona
	5/96	National Merit Scholarship Finalist

Research Experience:

	2002-present (ongoing)	Ph.D. Dissertation Research - Evolution and morphological diversification of angiosperm leaf form; taxonomic diversity versus morphological disparity in modern and fossil leaf floras; digital imaging in the analysis of leaf form.
	2001	Paleobotanist/Field Assistant - Bahariya Dinosaur Project (collaborators at UPENN, Drexel, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, USGS, and the Egyptian Geological Survey). Fossil prospecting and excavation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt.
	2000, 2001	Field Assistant - Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History (Scott L. Wing, Paleobotany). Fossil prospecting and excavation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.
	1999-2000	Research Project - Paleoclimatology of a Middle Eocene Green River Formation Flora. Advisors: Dena M. Smith and Karl W. Flessa.
	1998-2000	Research Project - Insect Herbivory in the Middle Eocene Green River Formation. Advisors: Dena M. Smith and Karl W. Flessa
	1998-1999	Research Assistant - University of Arizona Department of Geosciences (Dena Smith). Fossil preparation and curation, use of taxonomic keys, and databasing.
	1998	Volunteer Excavator - The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, S.D. (Larry Agenbroad). Fossil excavation and preparation, screenwashing, and Autocad assistance.
	1997	Research Assistant - University of Arizona Department of Geosciences. Geomorphology of Northern Alaska (Bob Casavant). Use of graphics-oriented computer software, analysis of river basin symmetry and river sinuosity.

Positions Held:

	1/03-5/03	Department of Earth & Env. Sciences, Teaching Assistant. University of Pennsylvania, Earth and Life Through Time
	9/01-12/02	Department of Earth & Env. Sciences, Teaching Assistant. University of Pennsylvania, Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory
	9/00-5/03	Graduate Student Associations Council (GSAC), Representative. University of Pennsylvania
	8/99-5/00	Society of Earth Science Students (S.E.S.S.), President. University of Arizona
	8/99-12/99	Department of Geosciences, Preceptor. University of Arizona, Paleontology
	1/99-5/99	Department of Geosciences Geomorphology Faculty Search Committee, Undergraduate Representative. University of Arizona
	9/97-5/99	Society of Earth Science Students, Vice-President. University of Arizona
	9/98-5/99	S.E.S.S. Junior Education Committee, Head. University of Arizona
	9/98-1/99	Department of Athletics, Tutor. University of Arizona.
	1/97-5/97	Department of Geosciences, Preceptor. University of Arizona, Introduction to Physical Geology

Presentations and Publications:

	Schweitzer, C.E., K.J. Lacovara, J.B. Smith, M.C. Lamanna, M.A. Lyon, and Y. Attia. 2003. Mangrove-dwelling crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Necrocarcinidae) associated with dinosaurs from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of Egypt. Journal of Palaeontology 77 (5): 888-894. (Paper)
	Lyon, M.A., K.R. Johnson, S.L. Wing, D.J. Nichols, K.J. Lacovara, and J.B. Smith. 2001. Late Cretaceous equatorial vegetation: new megaflora associated with dinosaur finds in the Bahariya Oasis, Egypt. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 33 (6). (Poster)
	Lyon, M.A. 2000. Turning a new leaf: determining a cooler, drier climate for the Eocene Green River Formation using fossil leaf size and shape. University of Arizona GeoDaze 2000 Symposium. (Poster)
	Crain, R.L. and M.A. Lyon. 2000. Feeding frenzy: a look at insect-mediated damage on fossil leaves from the Eocene Green River Formation. The Spirit of Inquiry Undergraduate Research Forum. (Poster)
	Lyon, M.A., R.L. Crain, and D.M. Smith. 1999. Food for thought: a preliminary examination of insect-mediated damage in the Green River Formation. GSA Abstracts with Programs 31 (7): 466. (Poster)
	Lyon, M.A. and D.M. Smith. 1999. Insect-mediated damage on fossil leaves: a preliminary look at feeding damage in the Green River Formation. University of Arizona GeoDaze 1999 Symposium. (Poster)