CLEVELAND, OHIO—February 7, 2023—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is proud to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science. On Saturday, February 11, the Museum’s women scientists will share stories of how they became involved in STEM, what it means to them to be women in science, and the mentors who encouraged them along the way.
Museum guests are invited to participate in a variety of programs celebrating science-minded women, including planetarium shows, animal presentations, 3D-scanning demonstrations, and fun activities in the Museum’s science lab. This family day is sponsored by the Ohio Lottery and included with general admission. Museum hours are 10am to 5pm.
The following Cleveland Museum of Natural History scientists are among those who will be featured on Saturday, February 11:
Lee Gambol, B.A., Virtual Field Trip Coordinator & Museum Educator
Lee Gambol is responsible for the development and delivery of educational content through live videoconferencing technologies, and for the creation of reusable kits of materials that are shipped to schools to support virtual programming. She has 30 years of teaching experience with scientific organizations, including Sea World of Ohio, Mr. Wizard Science Assemblies, the Great Lakes Science Center, and HealthSpace Cleveland. Gambol holds a B.A. in theatre arts with a minor in biology from Hiram College.
Hailey Majewski, B.S., Digital Asset Manager
Hailey Majewski manages and disseminates the Museum’s digital assets, coordinates the digitization of the Museum’s collections, and oversees 3D-model creation and 3D printing for education and outreach programs. She holds a B.S. in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology from Kent State University.
Destiny Thomas, B.A., Astronomer
Destiny Thomas presents astronomy programming to the general public, students in preK through 12th grade, and guests at special and private events. In addition to science communication, her responsibilities include event coordination and program development. Thomas earned a B.A. in physics and astronomy with a minor concentration in philosophy from Emory University. Her undergraduate research focused on extragalactic astronomy.
Wildlife Staff, Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank
Sami Beeke, Allison Capunay, Sarah Foegen, and Marjie Ulyan-Worley will be available throughout the day in the
Current Science space inside the Museum.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is proud to count among its scientists many women who are leaders in their fields of study, and who are committed to sharing their research with the public. The following Museum scientists are available for media interviews regarding their current roles and research:
Nicole Burt, Ph.D., Curator of Human Health & Evolutionary Medicine
Dr. Nicole Burt is a biological anthropologist with expertise in analyzing human tissues to reconstruct growth, health, and diet in children and families. Her work focuses on biological and forensic anthropology, evolutionary medicine, and anatomy.
Caitlin Colleary, Ph.D., Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
Dr. Caitlin Colleary is a vertebrate paleontologist with expertise in the molecules that preserve in fossilized bone. She is particularly interested in the question “What is a fossil?” In the last few decades, it has become clear that this question is much more nuanced than previously considered. Dr. Colleary studies how molecules break down and preserve after death and during fossilization.
Emma Finestone, Ph.D., Assistant Curator of Human Origins
Dr. Emma Finestone uses archaeological and paleoanthropological evidence to investigate behavioral innovations, early technology and toolmaking, and the adaptive shifts that enabled our ancestors to spread around the globe. Her work also examines when our ancestors began to influence biodiversity, and how that information helps us understand the impact of humans on biodiversity today.
Nicole Gunter, Ph.D., Curator of Invertebrate Zoology
Dr. Nicole Gunter is an entomologist with expertise in the biology and evolutionary history of beetles, with a particular emphasis on their diversification in Australia. Using fieldwork, DNA, and observational analysis, she has published findings that have changed what we know about the relationships, taxonomy, and evolution of numerous beetle groups.
Roberta Muehlheim, Ph.D. Candidate, Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology
Roberta Muehlheim is an evolutionary ecologist with broad expertise in vertebrates. Her research has focused primarily on amphibian ecology and disease. Currently, she is examining resource polymorphism in larval salamanders and how this occurrence might be driven by climate change.
Elizabeth "Ebeth" Sawchuk, Ph.D., Assistant Curator of Human Evolution
Dr. Ebeth Sawchuk studies the evolution and history of our species in Africa and how ancient peoples navigated issues of climate change, migration, and shifting economic and land-use strategies. Her research integrates bioarchaeology, dental anthropology, and ancient DNA to reconstruct ancient population dynamics and understand how people adapted biologically and socially to change.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History broke ground in June 2021 on a $150 million transformation project, which features an expansion, a complete reimagining of its campus and all its exhibits, and the addition of new public spaces. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, this bold reinvention will place visitors at the center of the Museum experience—allowing them to better understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. The transformed space will reflect the Museum’s world-class assets while serving as a trusted community resource that prioritizes accessibility and engagement. The
Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised more than $122 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building and outdoor visitor areas to more than 375,000 square feet. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards nearly 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit
CMNH.org.