Description: Staff Scientist Emirata, Dr. Mary Jane West-Eberhard, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, studies why some organisms live in societies & is noted for arguing that phenotypic & developmental plasticity play a key role in sharing animal evolution. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dorothy T. Van Arsdale, Chief, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, 1964–70, managed logistics for traveling exhibitions around the world. A major part of her role was negotiating with host countries about shipping, transportation, conservation, and more. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Kristina Anderson-Teixeira, Forest Ecologist, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, 2012–present, leads the ForestGEO Ecosystems and Climate Program. In 2019, she won the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Autumn-Lynn Harrison, Research Scientist at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center since 2014, works with large marine vertebrates, including pinnipeds and seabirds. She is the Program Manager of the Migratory Connectivity Project, which aims to use technologies to track bird species throughout their annual cycle. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Sharon F. Patton, Director, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, 2003-2008, oversaw the museum’s 9,000 African art objects and welcomed the distinguished Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection. Under her leadership, the museum opened its first traveling exhibition and established a visiting artists program. #Groundbreaker
Description: Forensic ornithologist, Roxie Collie Laybourne, created the field of forensic ornithology which has improved air safety through the use of bird data, by making modifications to flight plans and creating programs to scare away birds at some airports. #Groundbreaker
Description: Last week, Dr. Cynthia Chavez Lamar was named director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Chavez Lamar has worked at the Museum throughout her career, from an internship in 1994 to her current role as acting associate director for collections and operations. Between 2000 and 2005, she was an associate curator, leading the work on “Our Lives,” one of
Description: Bonus anecdote about Dr. Pettitbone:"While standing in line for a job interview during WWII, she overheard that men standing in the next line were going to get paid much more than those in her line. She then switched lines and became a spot welder, rather than a typist."