The Department of Zoology investigates evolutionary patterns and processes by studying vertebrates and invertebrates across many different taxonomic levels. Curators use a variety of approaches including field work, measuring and studying variations in Museum specimens, microscopy, and molecular analyses to determine the evolutionary relationships within and among animal groups.
The department maintains an active program of specimen acquisition and management, scientific research, education, and public programming to promote a better understanding of the world’s biodiversity and to gather information needed to make informed decisions about the conservation of those resources. Although the department's collections and programs span the globe, current activities focus primarily on ecosystems of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains of North America.
Collections
- Ornithology: bird skins, skeletons, eggs, nests and bird tissues
- Mammalogy: skin and skeletal specimens, and mammal tissues
- Conchology: shells, primarily from the Pacific and Caribbean
- Entomology: world collection of insects with focus on western States
- Arachnology: spiders and spider-relatives
- Herbarium: pressed plants, mainly from the region
Current Projects
Curators
Paula E. Cushing
Department Chair & Curator of Invertebrate Zoology
PhD, 1995, University of Florida
303.370.6442
paula.cushing@dmns.org
Dr. Cushing's Website
John Demboski
Curator of Vertebrate Zoology
PhD, 1999, University of Alaska Fairbanks
303.370.6443
john.demboski@dmns.org
Frank Krell
Curator of Entomology
PhD, 1996, University of Tübingen, Germany
303.370.8244
frank.krell@dmns.org
Collections Manager
Jeff Stephenson
Collections Manager
303.370.8319
jeff.stephenson@dmns.org
Department Staff
David Denniff
Office Manager
303.370.6353
david.denniff@dmns.org
Kayce Bell
Research Assistant
303.370.8387
kayce.bell@dmns.org
Aaron Spriggs
Curatorial Assistant
303.370.6354
aaron.spriggs@dmns.org
