Exploring Curation and Specimen Preparation in Natural History Collections - Curation of the Angiosperm Spirit Collections at University and Jepson Herbaria
Lúcia Lohmann
University and Jepson Herbaria
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
The spirit collection in the University and Jepson Herbaria houses thousands of plant and algae specimens preserved in alcohol. This preservation method is essential for material that cannot be dried or pressed, as it retains their three-dimensional structure and allows for detailed examination without the distortion or shrinkage that can occur in dried specimens. The alcohol used for preservation ensures the long-term stability of these specimens, sometimes for centuries.
The liquid-preserved specimens are an invaluable resource for a wide range of scientific and educational purposes. They offer researchers essential materials for studying morphology, preserving features often lost with other preservation methods. Additionally, this preservation technique maintains the life-like appearance of specimens, which is crucial for creating accurate and detailed botanical illustrations. Beyond taxonomy and art, the spirit collection provides valuable material for studies in evolutionary biology, conservation, and ecology.
This project focuses on enhancing the data and accessibility of the flowering plant section of the spirit collection, benefiting scientists, artists, students, and the public for research and educational purposes. We will verify the details of each accession against physical records and electronic databases, check the specimen preservation status, create or update database records, and ensure that each label information is complete. This effort will also prepare these collections for the UCB Chemical Inventory RFID Tagging Project to meet campus health and safety requirements.
Role: This position provides a unique opportunity to gain experience working in a natural history museum, particularly in the curation and databasing of liquid-preserved specimens. The apprentice will also be exposed to various campus health and safety management topics, tasks and responsibilities, gaining valuable skills in both scientific and safety aspects of museum work.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate would have an interest in botany, conservation biology, or natural history. They must have strong organizational skills and be capable of handling repetitive tasks with precision and accuracy, demonstrating good manual dexterity (handling glass jars filled with alcohol). Patience, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions exactly are essential. Basic proficiency with data entry and spreadsheets is required, and the ability to formulate and ask relevant questions is important.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Sonia Nosratinia, Staff Researcher
Hours: to be negotiated
Biological & Health Sciences