Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Public Museum adds three new scientific and research curators
The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is happy to announce the hiring of three curators who will broaden analysis capabilities at MPM: Christopher D. Tyrrell, Ph.D, Aaron R. Atencio, Ph.D, and Nicolas J. Dowdy, Ph.D, efficient instantly. Of their roles, Tyrrell, Atencio, and Dowdy will probably be instrumental in persevering with to combine science and analysis according to the core imaginative and prescient, mission and values of MPM.
“As a research-based academic establishment charged with preserving and defending greater than 4 million objects and specimens from throughout Wisconsin and across the globe, it’s crucial to have a crew of the most effective researchers within the nation,” stated MPM President and CEO Dr. Ellen Censky. “We’re thrilled to welcome these Drs. Tyrell, Atencio and Dowdy, who deliver previous experiences and schooling that may amplify and enrich the mission of MPM.”
ABOUT THE CURATORS
Christopher D. Tyrrell, Ph.D.
Analysis Curator, Botany
Hometown: Hales Corners
Tyrell just isn’t completely new to MPM, having labored at MPM from 2014 to 2021. He returns to the Museum from a place inside the Wisconsin Division of Pure Assets, as MPM’s Analysis Curator for Botany. On this function, Tyrell will probably be accountable for the invention and outline of latest plant species. He will even oversee the day-to-day operation of the museum’s assortment of 200,000 dried, preserved plant specimens and lead the trouble to digitize the collections – increasing entry to and understanding of our planet’s pure range.
“The science of my analysis at MPM is discovering, describing and defending plant species earlier than they’re misplaced perpetually,” Tyrrell stated. “This work informs our choices in regards to the use and preservation of the vegetation that people want for meals, medication and supplies. I prefer to remind those who we needn’t ‘save the planet,’ we truly try to save lots of our species from extinction.”
Aaron R. Atencio, Ph.D.
Director of Cultural Collections, Historical past and Anthropology
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Atencio’s analysis at MPM will deal with the common human motion of storytelling. By exploring the picture archives and cultural specimens within the Museum’s collections, Atencio will look at dynamics of visible communication and narratives to discover the richness and complexity of the human situation. On this method, Atencio will assist discover the that means related to artifacts.
“My work focuses on researching visible programs–artwork, votive supplies, ritual and ceremony– created by completely different cultures,” Atencio stated. “Tradition makes us human, and most, if not all, tradition is buttressed upon tales. If you happen to can inform an excellent story, you possibly can talk concepts. We’re all linked in a cultural net, so the tales that MPM narrates are these reflecting our interconnectedness.”
Nicolas J. Dowdy, Ph.D.
Head of Zoology and Director of Collections Informatics
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Previous to accepting his present place as Head of Zoology and Director of Collections Informatics, Dowdy performed postdoctoral analysis at MPM as a analysis fellow who secured grant funding from the Nationwide Science Basis. In his present function, Dowdy will oversee the upkeep, enchancment and digitization of Zoology collections and can oversee collections- and research-related efforts to bolster the digital infrastructure of the Museum – growing and supporting new digital instruments. Dowdy will even lead cutting-edge analysis that seeks to symbolize what Wisconsin and Milwaukee are at the moment – a world hub of analysis and innovation that’s producing and sharing new information about our stunning and wondrous planet.
“We’ve materials at MPM that even the biggest and most well-known museums on this planet shouldn’t have,” stated Dowdy. “It’s a privilege to take care of these specimens and collections.This sort of entry additionally makes the analysis we’re capable of do right here at MPM very distinctive.”
The brand new curators have already begun their work on the Milwaukee Public Museum. They proceed to conduct scholarly analysis and produce scientific publications, safe exterior grants to help analysis, take part in management of native, nationwide, and worldwide skilled societies, and oversee collections and make sure the finest requirements in care are used. That is an thrilling subsequent step for the museum and the continued enlargement of scientific analysis.