A new light on the evolution of the snake body plan

November 20, 2019

A new paper co-authored by MCZ Postdoctoral Fellow Tiago R. Simões (in the Stephanie Pierce Lab) describes snake fossils recently excavated in Argentina, helping to answer long-standing questions regarding the early evolution of snakes. The paper was published in Science and featured in the... Read more about A new light on the evolution of the snake body plan

George Lauder by Jon Chase/Harvard University

Robotic tuna can help us understand the physics of how fish move

October 24, 2019

The lab of MCZ Faculty-Curator of Ichthyology, George Lauder, and a team of researchers from the University of Virginia, developed a robotic tuna that can accurately mimic both the highly efficient swimming style of tuna and their high speed. The robot and related research is described in Science Robotics and the... Read more about Robotic tuna can help us understand the physics of how fish move

Robert G. Goelet, 1923-2019

October 23, 2019

The MCZ is saddened to say that MCZ Faculty governing board memember, Robert (Bobby) Goelet, passed away earlier this month at the age of 96. To say that Bobby led a very full life doesn't come close to capturing all that he did and experienced. After graduating from Harvard in 1945 with an A.B. in history, Bobby was a champion for natural history research, collections, and conservation. Among the many distinguished appointments he held, in addition to the MCZ Faculty, was Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Museum of Natural History.

The MCZ welcomes the 2019 Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Fellows

September 25, 2019

The MCZ is delighted to welcome the 2019 Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellows, Miquéias Ferrão, Cong Liu, Tiago Simões and Stephen Pates. We held a small reception to celebrate their arrival and hear Prof. Wilson talk about their important role in describing new species.

This fellowship is made possible through a generous founding gift from Edward O. Wilson, Faculty-Curator Emeritus and University Research Professor Emeritus, with support from additional donors (allowing an inaugural year of four fellows, including two Alexander Agassiz fellows...

Podcasts honor MCZ Professor and Curator Jim McCarthy

September 20, 2019

During February and March 2019, Jim McCarthy spoke about his scientific and professional interests, spanning the course of his career, in a series of conversations with Harvard Center for the Environment Research Associate and multimedia producer, Alex Griswold. These interviews formed the raw material for the short video and a five-... Read more about Podcasts honor MCZ Professor and Curator Jim McCarthy

Domesticated animals on exhibit at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 1900–1928

August 23, 2019

Research led by Harvard alumna Jenna Tonn revealed how an MCZ exhibition on the genetics of domesticated animals, featuring specimens from Ornithology and Mammalogy, modernized the natural history museum. Read more about the history of early 20^thcentury exhibitions at the MCZ in ...

Congratulations to Naomi Pierce, awarded the prestigious International Prize for Biology!

August 22, 2019

MCZ Faculty-Curator Naomi Pierce was awarded the 2019 International Prize for Biology, one of the most prestigious honors a natural scientist can receive. The focus of this award varies each year, this year focusing on the field of insect biology.

From the news release, "Scientists typically...

Stephanie Pierce awarded the Thomas D. Cabot Associate Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

July 31, 2019

MCZ Faculty-Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Stephanie Pierce, was awarded the Thomas D. Cabot Associate Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. The appointment recognizes her contributions to research, teaching, and service. Read more about Stephanie Pierce awarded the Thomas D. Cabot Associate Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Hopi Hoekstra awarded the C. Hart Merriam Award

July 22, 2019

Congratulations to Hopi Hoekstra recipient of the 2019 C. Hart Merriam Award from the American Society of Mammalogists! The award, established in 1974 to honor outstanding research contributions to mammalogy, is the highest research award presented by the American Society of Mammalogists. Read more about Hopi Hoekstra awarded the C. Hart Merriam Award

Deadline announced for 2019 Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship

June 4, 2019

The deadline for the 2019 Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship is September 30, 2019. This fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers at the MCZ to pursue the discovery and formal taxonomic description of Earth’s animal species. Fellows will work under the supervision of one or more MCZ faculty-curators, who will provide office space, access to lab facilities and necessary research support. At this time, selection of fellows will give priority to candidates who work on living species. Please visit the...

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