SCOTT SAMPSON is a Canadian paleontologist who has a dual position at the University of Utah as Research Curator at the Utah Museum of Natural History and Research Associate Professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics

Sampson received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Toronto in 1993. His doctoral dissertation examined the evolution of horned dinosaurs from western North America. As part of this project, he named and described two new and rather bizarre species from Montana, Einiosaurus procurvicornis and Achelousaurus horneri, one of which has been featured on a US postage stamp.

Sampson has published numerous scientific and popular articles on dinosaurs, and has conducted paleontological fieldwork in various countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mexico, and Madagascar, as well as the United States and Canada. Several field seasons on the island of Madagascar have resulted in a great number of well-preserved dinosaur specimens, with several new species. The most recent addition is a small-bodied, buck-toothed carnivorous dinosaur (theropod) dubbed Masiakasaurus knopfleri. Since arriving in Utah, Sampson has initiated several field projects within the state. Foremost among these has been a large-scale effort in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, partially funded by Discovery Channel's new research program known as Quest. This field project has yielded remains of several previously unknown species of dinosaurs and other animals, all of which are currently under study.

Sampson is the host of "Dinosaur Planet," a series of four animated television shows on the Discovery Channel.