Exploring Curation and Specimen Preparation in Natural History Collections - Curation of the Barbara Joe Hoshizaki Collections at University and Jepson Herbaria
Lúcia Lohmann
University and Jepson Herbaria
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
Herbaria are museums that house preserved plant collections for scientific purposes. For centuries, plant specimens have been collected from various locations, labeled with essential data, and stored for use by scientists and researchers worldwide. Properly curated plant specimens can last indefinitely, providing data for generations of scholars to study taxonomy, phylogenetics, conservation and climate change, as well as aiding in the development of floras and plant inventories around the world.
This project involves curating the exceptional plant collection of Barbara Joe Hoshizaki (1928–2012), a distinguished botanist and leading fern horticulturist. Barbara traveled extensively, collecting ferns worldwide, and collaborated with both academic researchers and horticulturists. She is best known for her influential books on fern cultivation and numerous scientific papers. After her passing, her collection, which includes pressed specimens from around the globe, was donated to the University Herbarium by her family, with the help of Dr. Alan Smith, Professor Emeritus, Research Botanist and the Curator of Ferns at University and Jepson Herbaria. This project aims to incorporate this priceless donation into the existing collections at UC/JEPS, which, with over 200,000 pteridophyte specimens, ranks among the largest and most significant in the country.
Role: This position offers a unique opportunity to gain experience working in a natural history museum, particularly in the curation, taxonomy, and specimen preparation of horticultural ferns. Museum activities will include barcoding herbarium specimens, entering and updating records in databases, and assisting in the filing or packing/ shipping of specimens. Affiliation with the Herbaria labratories may also provide exposure to various lab management tasks and responsibilities.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate would have an interest in botany, conservation biology, or natural history. They must be capable of handling repetitive tasks with precision and accuracy, demonstrating good manual dexterity and strong organizational skills. Patience, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions exactly are essential. Basic proficiency with text documents and spreadsheets is required, and the ability to formulate and ask relevant questions is also important. Additionally, the candidate should excel in maintaining focus during repetitive tasks and possess a keen eye for catching mistakes.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Sonia Nosratinia, Staff Researcher
Hours: to be negotiated
Biological & Health Sciences