Digitizing and preserving the UC Museum of Paleontology Fossil Amber collection.
Diane Erwin, Senior Museum Scientist
Museum of Paleontology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2023 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2024.
The UCMP amber collection from Chiapas, Mexico is composed mostly of fossil insects. The project is funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to conserve this collection by embedding the amber pieces in epoxy resin and providing specimen images for presentation on the web for access by interested investigators and the public. The position will primarily be to assist in the imaging of embedded specimens using a sophisticated digital microscope, image processing, and image uploading to the online photo database Calphotos.
Role: The student will assist in the imaging of embedded specimens using a a Keyence VHX 7000 digital microscope, processing the images using Adobe Photoshop, and uploading them to our onlibe database Calphotos. The student will also have an opportunity to contribute content to our project website and social media.
Qualifications: Students should have some interest in natural history, paleontology, insects, specimen preparation for research or gaining museum collections experience. Students will be working with their hands handling very small specimens that require dexterity, have the ability to stay focused and not easily bored or distracted carrying out a somewhat repetitive process.
Hours: 3-5 hrs
Biological & Health Sciences