Dear Supporter,

As we prepare for the start of a new academic year, the energy around the KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum is unmistakable. Many of our researchers and students are returning from fieldwork with exciting stories and specimens, several faculty members are preparing to teach fall classes, and our staff are busy planning programs and events that highlight our collections and exhibits. Our halls are truly buzzing with anticipation for the return of students, especially as we welcome nine new graduate students to our research divisions this fall.

At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to training and inspiring the next generation of scientists. To us, our undergraduate and graduate students are not just learners, they are collaborators and innovators, helping us ask better questions, seek understanding, and expand the impact of our work.

These nine new students at the BI/NHM will be working closely with our researchers and collections in the divisions of Entomology, Invertebrate Paleontology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mammalogy, and Ornithology, while pursing advanced degrees in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Their work will help uncover new insights into biodiversity, and their curiosity and drive will help shape the future of science. We’re grateful to welcome them to our team and excited for the discoveries ahead.

I look forward to sharing more about their research with you in the coming year.

Sincerely, 
Natalie Vondrak
Communications Coordinator 

Did you know that the KU Ornithology Division's osteological collection is one of the largest in the world? With over 33,000 specimens, it ranks third globally. This part of the collection has important strengths from the Great Plains of the United States, Mexico, and northern South America. Studying bird bone structure, such as the skull of this Great Horned Owl collected in Douglas County, Kansas, is important for several reasons. It provides key insights into avian evolutionary history, anatomy, and physiology, and enhances our understanding of bird biodiversity.

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In July, the BI/NHM community celebrated the contributions of Kin Onn Chan and Lynn Lee at a farewell gathering. As a postdoctoral researcher in our molecular lab, Chan made lasting contributions and scientific discoveries in herpetology. Lynn also played a key role in supporting our mission through her work with the Visitor Experience Team. Chan recently accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Integrative Biology and Curator of Vertebrate Collections at Michigan State University. We extend our deepest gratitude to both Chan and Lynn for their time at KU.

Members of the FuSe² Team at the University of Kansas, including Informal Science Education representatives Teresa MacDonald and Eleanor Gardner, hosted a weeklong workshop for high school seniors focused on semiconductors—the tiny chips that power everything from smartphones to medical devices. The week concluded with a public showcase featuring hands-on activities on brain-inspired computing. See more photos »

Congratulations to KU Mammalogy graduate student Danny Ibanez on successfully defending his master’s thesis this summer! Danny's thesis explored genomic complexity in Hipposideros bats from the Solomon Islands. We are thrilled that Danny is staying at KU and in the Colella Lab to begin his PhD this fall. 

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