Micropaleontology

Micropaleontology is "the study of the fossil records at the microscopic level," and a branch of paleontology. A scientist who studies in this field is known as a micropaleontologist.

In the years prior to 2369, Richard Galen wrote several papers on the subject of micropaleontology. Jean-Luc Picard had read Galen's papers on the subject, and noting the timespan since his last paper, assumed that the work had stopped. Picard was incorrect, and later learned that Galen's work had continued, however he was killed before he could reap the rewards of his research. Picard took in upon himself to conclude Galen's research, discovering a long dead ancient humanoid species, responsible for planting the seeds for much of the humanoid life in the galaxy. 

In 2375, Greta Vanderweg's husband was working as a micropaleontologist on the planet Mora V.