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Posthumous portrait of Louis Agassiz by Henry Ulke (oil on canvas), signed and dated (1876) in lower left-hand corner, after restoration (ex Ulke Family Collection, Swann 2013, sale 2324, lot 328, in part); courtesy of ERB library

US Capitol’s lost painting of MCZ founder found after 150 years by Belgian shark researcher

March 26, 2020

Three years after Louis Agassiz died, Washington-based photographer Henry Ulke, also known as the ‘Painter of presidents’ and the photographer of Lincoln’s famous deathbed picture, painted Agassiz’s posthumous portrait (oil on canvas). In 1877, this portrait was purchased by the US Capitol (Washington DC). Thereafter, it soon went missing and remained unnoticed for nearly one hundred and fifty years, until the same portrait was recently found by shark researcher Frederik Mollen (Belgium) at a sale by Swann Auction Galleries, New York.

Many instituions provided archival...

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IDEA poster

Scott Edwards and colleague awarded the innaugrual Inclusiveness, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Award

March 9, 2020

Congratulations to MCZ Faculty-Curator of Ornithology Dr. Scott Edwards and colleague Dr. Richard Kliman, the recipients of the first ASN/SSE/SSB Inclusiveness, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Award. 

This award recognizes individuals who have strengthened our community by promoting...

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fossil in jacket

Now accepting applications for Vertebrate Paleontology Technician and Preparator

February 3, 2020

The MCZ is now accepting applications for a Vertebrate Paleontology Technician and Preparator. 

The Vertebrate Paleontology Technician and Preparator operates and manages the Paleontology Preparation Laboratory and cares for fossils in the vertebrate paleontology collection. Research priorities of the department are established by the Faculty-Curator, Stephanie Pierce.

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Infrared photographs of butterflies, where brightness correlates with the capability of radiative cooling

Living portions of butterfly wings prevent overheating

January 31, 2020
A recent study from MCZ Faculty-Curator of Lepidoptera, Naomi Pierce, and collaborators, looked at tissues in butterfly wings that are supplied by circulatory, neural and tracheal systems, indicating that the wing is a dynamic, living structure. Behavioral assays show that butterflies use wings to sense visible and infrared radiation, responding with specialized behaviors to prevent overheating of their wings. The study is published in... Read more about Living portions of butterfly wings prevent overheating
Stephanie Pierce

Stephanie Pierce awarded prize for Excellence in Science Teaching

December 18, 2019
Congratulations to Stephanie Pierce, MCZ Faculty-Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, recipient of the 2019 Fannie Cox Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching for her exceptional teaching in introductory science courses. Courses Stephanie teaches include How to Build an Animal, Vertebrate Evolution, and The Fishy Aspects of the Human Body.  Read more about Stephanie Pierce awarded prize for Excellence in Science Teaching
James McCarthy

In Memoriam: Jim McCarthy 1944-2019

December 13, 2019

With profound sadness, we note the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Jim McCarthy, on December 11th after a protracted illness. Jim was a towering figure, whose impact as a scholar, policy advisor, and human being was extraordinary. The MCZ community is greatly diminished by his loss, and we will all feel Jim’s absence deeply.

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