Prior to moving to Fairbanks, Alaska, Amanda Hanson lived and studied Geology in Southern California. She attended the University of California, San Diego for one year before deciding that she wanted to live in an environment of less people and more season variation. In 2001 she arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska and has never looked back. Amanda continued her education and eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology in 2005 from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF). While a student, she worked at the University of Alaska Museum of the North as a Curatorial Assistant in the Earth Science department. There she went on several expeditions to the Colville River and the Talkeetna Mountains of Alaska to collect various dinosaur bones. She was even involved in the production of the Nova special Arctic Dinosaurs. In 2009, Amanda earned her Masters of Science degree in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester. She now enjoys working as the Office Manager for Metallogeny, Inc. where she can use her collection management skills in the mineral exploration industry.