For media opportunities, please contact:
Samantha Guenther, External Communications Manager
440.429.2902 |
[email protected]
Gavin Svenson, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer
Dr. Svenson oversees the Museum's research and conservation staff, collections comprising millions of objects, and more than 12,000 acres of protected natural areas. An entomologist with expertise in the biological diversity and evolutionary history of praying mantises, he previously served as the Museum's Curator of Invertebrate Zoology. Dr. Svenson employs modern morphological and molecular-based approaches in his research, isolating DNA-sequence information from specimens and using computer analysis to generate the likeliest scenario for their positions on the praying mantis family tree. The results of his research have revised the traditional scientific classification of these insects and revealed new evolutionary patterns among them.
Target Topics: Museum Research & Collections, Insects, Praying Mantises
Nick Anderson, Senior Astronomer
Nick Anderson holds degrees in astrophysics and planetarium studies. He delivers astronomy programming to schools and general audiences, and operates the Mueller Observatory.
Target Topics: Astronomy, Space, Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium
Meghan Strong, Ph.D., Director of Collections
Dr. Strong manages the Museum's collections and collections specialists. She has worked on cultural-heritage projects in the U.S., England, and Africa, focusing on collections care, curation, and materials science.
Target Topics: Museum Collections & Preservation, Cultural Heritage
Emma Finestone, Ph.D., Assistant Curator of Human Origins
Dr. Finestone uses archaeological and paleoanthropological evidence to study the behavioral innovations and early technology that enabled our ancestors to move around the globe.
Target Topics: Human Ancestors, Early Stone Tools, Hominins
Elizabeth "Ebeth" Sawchuk, Ph.D., Assistant Curator of Human Evolution
Dr. Sawchuk studies the evolution of our species in Africa and how ancient peoples navigated issues of climate change, migration, and shifting economic strategies.
Target Topics: Bioarchaeology, Ancient DNA, Hominins
Caitlin Colleary, Ph.D., Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
Dr. Colleary is a vertebrate paleontologist with expertise in the molecules that are preserved in fossilized bone.
Target Topics: Vertebrate Fossils, Dinosaurs, Preservation
David Kriska, Ph.D., Restoration Ecologist
Dr. Kriska is a biologist with expertise in the identification, protection, and stewardship of natural habitats in the Lake Erie ecoregion. He has spearheaded projects aimed at restoring rare habitats.
Target Topics: Conservation, Invasive Species, Ecology
Nicole Burt, Ph.D., Curator of Human Health & Evolutionary Medicine
Dr. Burt is a biological anthropologist with expertise in analyzing human tissues to reconstruct growth, health, and diet in children and families.
Target Topics: Biological Anthropology, Health, Anatomy
Garrett Ormiston, Manager of Preserve Operations
Garrett Ormiston works in the Natural Areas Division, which conserves more than 12,000 acres across northern Ohio, and manages the Museum's GIS database.
Target Topics: Natural Areas, Botany, Invasive Species
Roberta Muehlheim, Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology
Roberta Muehlheim is an evolutionary ecologist with broad expertise in vertebrates. Her research focuses on amphibian ecology and disease.
Target Topics: Vertebrates, Amphibians, Disease Ecology
Jim Nemet, Director of Wildlife
Jim Nemet oversees the Museum’s Wildlife staff and the 100+ native Ohio animals that live in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank.
Target Topics: Animal Care, Ohio Wildlife, Conservation