Pic of the Day
Monday, 31 May 2004

Opening Registration
31 May 2004

The RTP Class of '04 has arrived!

The boring task of completing registration documents was made more bearable by their realization that as part of the RTP they are now officially part of the Smithsonian community of scientists. Visits to office spaces and through the vast collections proved, in many cases, awe inspiring. Gasps of delight could be heard as we walked Lynn Copes past the "Terry Collection" and, leaving nose prints on the glass, we had to pry Neil Aschliman away from the fish collection window. Arden Ashley was especially delighted to find her name on her Smithsonian office door, along with that of her research advisor, Dr. David Pawson. It's going to be a great summer! Stay tuned

Opening Registration
31 May 2004

Amid a foggy, wet morning the smiling faces of the 19 students joining the RTP of '04 arrived on time (8:45 a.m.) to the Constitution Avenue Lobby, about to begin their summer as part of the Smithsonian community.

Opening Registration
31 May 2004

No, no silly games to remember each others names, but still everyone, including Tony Alvarez, took a moment to introduce themselves, describe their research topic for the summer, and what they're looking forward to the most during their stay in DC. Tony is most looking forward to seeing the sights around the Washington DC area.

Opening Registration
31 May 2004

Even after listening to Mary talk most of the morning about museum policies and completing lots of registration paper work, happy smiling faces could still be found in the ARC late into the afternoon.

Group Photo
1 June 2004

Group Photo
1 June 2004

Group Photo
1 June 2004

The RTP Class of '04 lined up in front of the Smithsonian Castle (left to right) Lynn Copes, Tony Alvarez, Jon Chen, Arden Ashley, Adrienne Sussman, Emily Moran, Lee Zelewicz, Miguel Pinto, Neil Aschliman, Xavier Haro, James Morgan, Amie Garcia, Digna Ortiz, Andrew Gaudreau, Mauricio Torres, Joaquin Aldabe, Megan Brown, Jorge Velez, and Kate Musica.

Group Photo - REU
1 June 2004

The RTP Class of '04 includes 11 students supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (DBI-0243512). They are: (top row) Tony Alvarez, Amie Garcia, Lee Zelewicz, Arden Ashley, Emily Moran and James Morgan. (bottom row) Megan Brown, Lynn Copes, Jorge Velez, Adrienne Sussman, and Jonathan Chen.

Group Photo - Latino Initiatives
1 June 2004

The RTP received a special grant from the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Fund to support the participation of four students as part of the RTP Class of '04, including: Miguel Pinto, Xavier Haro, Mauricio Torres, and Joaquin Aldabe.

Opening Day
1 June 2004

Mauricio Torres and the "Thorington Panda."
Each summer beautifully painted statues adorn the streets of DC. This year the theme is "pandas" and gracing the NMNH mall steps is a panda statue painted by Carey Thorington (spouse of Dick Thorington). The painted "Thorington Panda" features 45 different animals.

Learn more about the panda statue project at:

Welcoming Reception
1 June 2004

NMNH Director Dr. Crisitan Samper hosted a special reception in the Director's Office to welcome the 19 students joining the RTP Class of 2004 - the 25th class of the RTP. More than 100 guests attended the reception that featured an assortment of light refreshments.

Welcoming Reception
1 June 2004

As part of the reception students got to meet many NMNH staff representing a variety of disciplines, units, and offices including the libraries, business ventures, and sponsored projects.

Welcoming Reception
1 June 2004

The welcoming reception also provides a good opportunity for students to talk informally with their advisors. Here Anthony Alvarez (left) discusses the field work plans with his advisor, Scott Wing. Scott warns that the field aspect of the project will require a lot of work and will be conducted at a site with very hot and dry conditions, but Tony laughs off the warning in confidence.

Welcoming Reception
1 June 2004

Joaquin Aldabe (middle) first met members of his research team, including Chris Milensky (left), when Chris was doing field work in Uruguay. Joaquin was then selected for participation in the RTP working with co-advisor Carla Dove (right).

Welcoming Reception
1 June 2004

His first year at the NMNH as a research scientist, Matt Carrano (right) welcomes his first RTP student, Jorge Velez.

Welcoming Reception
1 June 2004

A seasoned advisor, Rich Vari (left) has already hosted 6 RTP students, now welcoming his seventh Mauricio Torres Mejia.

Welcoming Reception
1 June 2004

Among the invited guests attending the reception was Violet Bruce, the geology rep from the Office of Sponsored projects. Here Violet (right) talks to RTP intern Neil Aschliman (left) and technicians from the National Marine Fisheries Lab.

Welcoming Reception
1 June 2004

The RTP class of 2004 and their advisors, photo by Chip Clark. This was the first time we tried a complete group photo of all students and advisors - what a large group!

Anthropology Lecture
2 June 2004

Anthropology Day started out with a lecture by Rick Potts on "Searching for Human Origins." Rick Potts conducts a summer field season each year in Olorgesaiille, Kenya to look for evidence of our earliest ancestors.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Long hallways of bones in boxes is characteristic of the Anthropology hallways! Here interns patiently wait their turn to see the Human Origins Program lab.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Jennifer Clark hosts a tour of the Human Origins Project office and lab, explaining why, exactly, fossil elephant and horses belong with the hominid skulls.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

An example of a cabinet holding casts of hominin skulls (these are Asian Homo erectus specimens). The originals are always kept in the country where they were found.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Interns tour the Human Origins Lab.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

In the Human Origins Lab, on display were stone tools from the first Olduwan technologies (2.5 mya) to more sophisticated Acheulian hand axes and later examples of North American clovis points.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

In Rick Pott's new office he displayed a spread of skulls representing the past 3-4 million years of hominin evolution, from "Lucy" to anatomically modern humans.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Rick Potts describes how the human skull changed over time.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Included in the set of skulls displayed are Mrs. Ples, an Australopithecus africanus, the Black Skull (A. aethiopicus) and KNM-ER 1813 and 1470, members of the debated species of Homo habilis

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Emily Moran, a true botanist, couldn't help speculating about the diet of our ancestors and the evolutionary adaptation in the skull to accommodate different dietary changes.

Pic of the Day
Wednesday, 2 June 2004

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Fresh back from presenting her research on the brain of the Monte Circeo Neandertal at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists' meeting, Lynn Copes was delighted to examine the newest (and smallest) adult Homo erectus cranium yet discovered. The skull theme reflected on her shirt, Lynn is dreaming of finding more fossil hominins when she goes to Olorgesailie, Kenya, with Dr. Potts next month

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Laurie Burgess shows Digna Ortiz a Patu. This Patu was first manufactured in New Zealand, then traveled with Captain Cook to Canada, and was ultimately a funerary object in Oregon. It will be repatriated this month.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Anthony Alvarez holds an Obsidian tool, flaked by Alan Alda during the filming of an upcoming TV special.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Obsidian arrowheads.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Amie Garcia, Megan Brown, Joaquin Aldabe, and Xavier Haro listen carefully as Laurie Burgess describes the few specimens she has brought to talk about compared to the vast collections stored at the Museum's Support Center (MSC) in Suitland, Maryland.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

The original (center), a painted cast (bottom), and unpainted cast (top) of Captain Cook's Patu. Before repatriation a quality painted cast is prepared to document the artifact, reproducing as much detail as possible.

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

Mali cooking pot

Anthropology Tour
2 June 2004

This Mail textile was recently added to the collections. More than just a design, the pattern tells the story of the jealous wife. Still sold in Mali market places, women buy and wear the textile, not for the beauty of the color and design, but to communicate insight about their home situation.

Event Evaluations
2 June 2004

Miguel Pinto fills out his first event evaluation form. All students attending RTP events complete an evaluation of the event which are then compiled and events evaluated. Student evaluations, and comments, about events are very important and determine which events are, and are not, offered in subsequent years.

Pic of the Day
Thursday, 3 June 2004

Norman Rockwell Painting for the ARC

Painted by Norman Rockwell in 1971 for Look magazine, the ARC will house the original "Audubon Observing the Passenger Pigeon" - much to the amazement of Megan Brown, Amie Garcia, Yvette Osborne, and Lee Zelewicz who couldn't believe the colorful art work that appeared was the original painting!

Botany Lecture
4 June 2004

Botany Day started off with a lecture by Vicki Funk on Asteraceae, the largest plant family, and in particular the use of "super trees" to determine estimates of phylogenetic relationships between species and genera in the Asteraceae.

Botany Lecture
4 June 2004

All RTP lectures this year will held in the ARC using the powerpoint projector installed in December and projecting on the newly painted wall. The arrangement of couches, tables, and chairs will be determined by each student host.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

Traditionally Greg McKee provides the tour of the Botany collections but since Greg was in Mongolia doing field work Botany collection manager, Rusty Russell filled in. Xavier Haro introduced Rusty to the group before beginning the tour of the U.S. National Herbarium.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

Positioned near the "Botany Best" collection of interesting herbarium specimens, students also got their first demonstration of the Museum's compactor system.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

Most botanical specimens are pressed, dried and mounted on 11x17 sheets of acid-free paper. However, not all specimens press well, such as this cactus, so in many cases acid-free trays and boxes are used to store "bulky" specimens.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

Here Kate Musica examines a flowering specimen of the bamboo Phyllostachys bambusoides, known to flower only once every 120 years. When this species came into flower in the '70's many individuals from around the world participated in the study, sending in samples from their gardens including drawings, photos and letters.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

Like all museum collections, herbarium specimens not only document the taxon, but also represent a point in time - freezing the moment and documenting the conditions surrounding it's life, growth, and development. A specimen of the same species collected in 1862 isn't the same as one collected today. While the species characters may have remained the same, the growing conditions have certainly changed. This is one reason why we continue to collect individuals of the same species, although there are already museum representatives found in the collections. As one of the first tours, interns listened with interest to the reasons museums specimens are important and how they're used.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

It might look a block of concrete but this plant (the red spots) can survive at greater depths than any other photosynthetic organism. Discovered by Mark and Diane Littler in 1983, it generated excitement in the scientific community as the discovery of the deepest plant life ever collected from the ocean. The crustose red alga was found in the Bahamas at a depth of 880 feet. This extended the depth distribution limits of marine plants and challenged established theories concerning the minimum light levels necessary to maintain plant growth.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

One of the cool things about the RTP is not just learning about research in the natural history sciences but also getting the opportunity to personally examine the specimen of studies, up close and personal. Here James Morgan holds a specimen of the deepest known algae, possibly contemplating the wonder of photosynthesis.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

One of the oddest of botanical specimens, Welwitschia mirabilis, found mainly in the Namib and Mossamedes Deserts, has just two long (very long) leaves that never fall off but just keep growing. While the leaf tips may split, curl, and break off, new tissue continues to arise from the base. Most plant leaves can grow only to a predetermined limit, with just the tip generating new tissue. Welwitschia plants can live for more than 1,500 years and few individuals are known. The plant produces small cones instead of "flowers" and an individual cone holds either male or female reproductive parts. Plants are pollinated by flies, drawn to the cones by droplets of sweet liquid. The cones caused botanists to first place Welwitschia as a gymnosperm but anatomical examination revealed that the plant had processes and structures more consistent with flowering plants.

What a rare treat to not only see a specimen of Welwitschia, but also examine it up close, like Jorge Velez and Kate Music are doing.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

James Morgan and Mauricio Torres hold a specimen of wood from Trindade, one of the many wood specimens included in the US National Herbarium. The Wood Collection contains approximately 42,500 specimens representing almost 3,000 genera. Approximately 60% of the specimens are vouchered, with most of the vouchers deposited in the US National Herbarium (US). But what's so special about the Trindade wood?

"Out in the South Atlantic some 1,500 kilometers east by north from Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, a volcano top called Trindade juts above the sea." . . . "Sailing ships shunned Trindade's ironbound shore unless they lacked water for drinking or wood for the stoves. There was wood aplenty, too, for the steep slopes bore thousands of trees, by all accounts trees of one kind only. Before 1821, however, something or some event had killed them - killed them all - leaving a weird landscape of standing corpses. It was, in the words of one who saw it, a forest of desolation, as if nature had at some particular moment ceased to vegetate." - - to read more: Eyde, R.H. and S.L. Olson. 1983. "The dead trees of Ilha da Trindade" Bartonia 49: 32-51.

But what were the trees and what killed them?
Enter Smithsonian scientists Richard Eyde, plant anatomist, and ornithologist Storrs Olson. With nothing remaining but dead stumps, how could the trees be identified? Using histological comparisons of the wood the tree was identified as Colubrina glandulosa, a member of the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). As to what killed them, you'll have to go to the library and read the article (I'll never tell). A copy of the article is also available in the ARC.

Botany Herbarium Tour
4 June 2004

Examining the specimen of Trindade wood, geologist Megan Brown speculates, "volcanic eruption, that's what changed the climate and killed the trees." Was she right?

Botany Social
4 June 2004

After lunch, Botany hosted an informal dessert social for students to meet members from the Botany community. The social was held in the Chairman's Office and Bob Faden (light blue shirt) served as host.

Botany Social
4 June 2004

Many of the "Botany Best" specimens can be found in the Botany chairman's office including a specimen of Lodoiceae callipyge Comm. - a member of the palm family of plants (Palmae). Native to the Seychelle Islands, off the East coast of Africa, these plants produce what are considered the largest seeds. Some can weigh up to 50 lbs. The common name is "Coco de Mer" which is French for "coconut of the sea" but RTP intern groups have consistently called this the "butt nut". Can you guess which of the specimens displayed above is Lodoiceae callipyge?

Botany Social
4 June 2004

Holding a copy of his work Heliconias from Colombia, Mauricio Torres (from Colombia, on the right) was delighted to finally meet the books author and chair of Botany - Dr. John Kress (right).

Botany Social
4 June 2004

The botany table featured an array of botanical bulky specimens, including this bamboo rhizome, carefully being studied by paleobiology student, Jorge Velez.

Botany Social
4 June 2004

Interns on one end of the table, staff on the opposite end. Only the fourth day, RTP interns take time to get to know each other.

Botany Social
4 June 2004

We were left wondering, is this Jonathan Chen doing his walrus impression or is he imitating the ants he will be working on?

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

After the Botany Social, students had the option to join several workshops and demonstrations, beginning with plant histology hosted by Stan Yankowski. Bob Faden also came by. Pictured Bob Faden, Mauricio Torres, Xavier Haro, Stan Yankowski, James Morgan, and Jorge Velez.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Stan Yankowski, appearing through the vacuum bell, began the plant anatomy session with a hands-on demonstration. Fixed samples (seen under the bell) are the first critical step in preparing plant tissue for microscopy.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Arden Ashley readies a whole-mount leaf clearing for a coverslip. She is working with Commelina sp., a new species from Somalia. A cleared and selectively stained preparation is valued by taxonomists for its unobstructed view of three dimensional detail.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

The cleared and stained leaf is cut in half and mounted on two separate slides. Here Arden Ashley is applying a synthetic resin over the lower portion of the leaf before covering it with a thin glass coverslip.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Leaf clearings stained with Saffranin O.

Pic of the Day
Friday, 4 June 2004

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Arden Ashley, Xavier Haro, Lee Zelewicz, and Mauricio Torres watch Stan Yankowski handle a paraffin ribbon while sectioning leaf tissue on the rotary microtome.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Xavier Haro is aligning a tissue block with the knife edge; a critical step to ensure a straight paraffin ribbon.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

With Arden Ashley looking on, Xavier Haro makes one final adjustment on the microtome before beginning sectioning.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

The cut sections produced by a rotary microtome are exquisitely thin (6µm for this sample) and serially reproducible. Xavier Haro has just cross sectioned a leaf of Commelina imberbis from Yemen. Embedded tissue provides the plant taxonomist with an informative view of anatomical structure and cellular organization while not altering orientation.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

After sectioning Xavier Haro floats the ribbons onto slides coated with Haupt's adhesive. The slides are then placed on a warming tray to remove wrinkles before finally being dried.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

The paraffin ribbons are stained, then dewaxed. Here James Morgan is adding the final touches; a synthetic resin covered by a glass coverslip. Once the resin dries, slides are ready for light microscopy.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

James Morgan and Mauricio Torres prepared several mounts of a yet unnamed new species of Tricarpelema from Equatorial Guinea.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Using a loop magnifier, Arden Ashley studies a collection of photomicrographic images, serial slides, and leaf clearings of various plant tissues displayed on a light table for easy viewing.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Mauricio Torres coverslipping slides.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Coverslipping a leaf paradermal slide of Tricarpelema.
(The purple gloves were a hit!)

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

The histology demonstration and workshop featured eight microscope stations, each showing something different. Perhaps the most spectacular slide was the one that James Morgan is looking at here. A paradermal leaf section of Buforrestia candolleana showing an abundance of prismatic calcium oxylate crystals in polarized light.

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Jorge Velez holds "one of the greatest American works on trees and woods," compiled between 1888 and 1913 by Romeyn B. Hough; it includes over a thousand mounted wood sections, unique from an ecological standpoint, and of great interest to students of American furniture and woodcrafts.

Yale University has imaged for the web 11 of the 14 Hough volumes. Check it out at:
http://inky.library.yale.edu/hough/

Also, the NC State website has all 14 volumes imaged:
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/archives/forestry/hough/

Histology Demonstration
4 June 2004

Phase contrast microscopy generates high contrast in unstained or weakly stained specimens. This is why James Morgan sees contrast in the anticlinal epidermal walls of Callisia repens.

Pressing and Mounting Workshop
4 June 2004

A last minute cancellation by Carol Kelloff brought Tom Hollowell (center) to fill in, demonstrating how to press plant parts in preparation for drying and mounting before becoming herbarium specimens.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Botany scientific illustrator, Alice Tangerini, offered another of the afternoon workshops - this one featuring scientific illustration. First Alice described the different types of scientific illustration using examples from her own work.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Alice Tangerini also explained the process of creating an image from the original specimen to the final product.

Displayed from dried herbarium specimen to published scientific illustration, the steps in-between may surprise you.

Alice first prepares a photocopy - yes a photocopy - of a representative specimen and then, using the photocopy, begins to construct the habit and structure to be illustrated, often tracing the photocopy using clear film (matte acetate).

Next she dissects parts. Using a camera lucida, traces - yes traces - small structures to enlarged size thereby ensuring exact proportions and accurate representation.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Scientific illustration isn't about creating beautiful original works of art, but reproducing the parts of the organism being illustrated as close to exact as possible. The camera lucida allows the user to "trace" the specimen seen under the microscope, hopefully reproducing the same proportions and details as the specimen.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

After some coaching students were issued a real pencil drawing prepared by Alice, an ink brush or pen, and clear film to try "inking" an illustration.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Concentration is critical in botanical scientific illustration, as well as learning to move the pen from your elbow instead of wrist.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Jorge Velez works on a grass species.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Arden Ashley works on another plant species.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Xavier Haro worked on inking a pencil sketch of a gesneriad. The tiny features proved to be a challenge.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Lynn Copes experimented with both stippling and line to show depth in the drawing.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Mammal bones typically use stippling and even carbon dust to illustrate curvature in the specimen. As an intern working in mammals this summer James Morgan sought to try all techniques in preparation for work with his shrew feet bones.

Scientific Illustration Workshop
4 June 2004

Xavier Haro

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

The excitement of possible fossil finds warmed everyone on this dreary morning. Joining the field trip:( lower row) Digna Ortiz, Megan Brown, Amie Garcia, Arden Ashley, Lynn Copes, and Jon Chen. (upper row) Kate Musica, Mauricio Torres, Xavier Haro, James Morgan, Lee Zelewicz, Jorge Velez, Andrew Gaudreau, Tony Alvarez, Miguel Pinto, and Neil Aschliman.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

The Calvert Cliffs formation is mainly a Miocene deposit. Depending on tide levels, parts are open sandy beach while in some places the water hits the cliff directly.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

Before venturing to the beach Dave Bohaska provided a geology lesson about the Calvert formation and typical fossils found at the site.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

One of the species that lived in the Miocene oceans, this is the Maryland state fossil.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

Geologists Amie Garcia and Megan Brown were delighted to hear about some geology after a long Friday focused on the biological sciences.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

While some headed back to the warmth of the cabin, Lynn Copes didn't let the cold and rough waves stop her from searching the surf for extraordinary shark teeth. She didn't exactly find what she was hoping for, but that didn't stop her from continuing to search!

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

Having visited the site before, Jorge Velez, had a good "search image" and determination to find shark teeth representing many different species. He was successful.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

Anthony Alvarez scours the beach for shark teeth.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

Determining shell from shark tooth fragment can prove challenging but after a few examples students catch on and eagerly comb the debris piles. Andrew Gaudreau braves the elements with the hope of uncovering a large and perfect shark tooth - but his hopes weren't realized (this time).

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

Although the tide tables indicated that the field trip hit the beach at low tide, the wind and waves pushed the waters up further on the beach than normal. Many got very wet trying to move along the very narrow beach.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

Some of the day's finds.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

Fossilized tiger shark tooth, one of the prize discoveries of the day, and again this year found by RTP Director, Mary Sangrey. She says it's pure luck and recommends that you just grab any dark object you see and decide later, when in hand, if it's something or nothing. However, after year after year of findings very nice specimens we question if Mary isn't bringing the same specimen to trick us? As proof that they're all different, Mary claims to give away the years find - this year Lynn Copes took this one home to keep.

Pic of the Day
Saturday, 5 June 2004

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip
5 June 2004

High winds, cold rain, but still smiles!
RTP students ventured to Scientists Cliffs for some fossil collecting. Known for it's marine Miocene (Miocene Epoch, 25 million to 6.5 million years ago) deposits and located on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay, the "Calvert Cliffs" were formed over 15 million years ago when all of Southern Maryland was covered by a warm, shallow sea. The cliffs dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay extending for more than thirty miles; from Fairhaven (Anne Arundel County, MD) to near Drum Point (Calvert County, MD). The crashing waves made fossil finding tough but most students came home with at least one fossil shark tooth - but hopefully no colds!

Mineral Sciences Lecture
7 June 2004

The lecture of the day: Pegmatite's, by Mike Wise (right) and a quick pose with the RTP group.

Pic of the Day
Monday, 7 June 2004

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

A group picture in front of the Smithsonian's satellite Museum Support Center.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

The guide of the day, Dave Rosenthal, introduced the group to many of the artifacts stored at MSC, including this Japanese wedding palanquin (circa 1888).

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Cast of an Olmec head. Another is on (popular) display outside the Natural History Building Constitution Avenue entrance.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

As big as a football field and three stories high, the MSC pods inspire wonder (as well as thoughts of the Indiana Jones movie, closing scene of Raiders of the Lost Arc). Interns look on in wonder at interesting collections.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

The anthropology and geology trained students - Andrew Gaudreau, Kate Musica, Megan Brown and Lynn Copes - discuss their new found insights into preserved fish collections.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Previously housed on the Mall, and always a featured stop on the mammals tour, the mammals "fluid specimens" catch the attention of Lee Zelewicz and Jorge Velez. Shelving labels including "brain" and "baccullum" collections were among the unexpected but obviously important collections students got to see during their time at MSC.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

The MSC facilities store specimens, and in some cases entire collections, for which there is no longer space to properly store at the Natural History Building on the Mall. Typically the MSC specimens are those infrequently studied or those very large requiring open shelving or tanks, including the large tanks that hold this extra large octopus.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Hawaiian stone tools

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Joaquin Aldabe

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

NMNH visiting graduate student, Billard Lishiko, joined the tour and took the opportunity to explain how throwing knives from central Africa and the Congo are used, and their anthropological importance.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Specimens received by the Museum have always been recorded in ledger books for future reference. Although computer records in databases have been replacing the handwritten ledger entries, many of the old books, like this one (circa 1853), document much more than just the current text data and therefore are still valuable references when investigating the history of specimens.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Aleutian seal-gut parka-their version of a rain coat.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Dave Rosenthal (right) shows Joaquin Aldabe, Jorge Velez, and Kate Musica one of the coats made of caribou hide.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Aleutian blanket

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Peruvian feather tunic

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Part of Commander Parry's collection (circa 1853). These were among the first objects to be catalogued as part of the in Smithsonian collections.

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Samurai Armor

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Chinese chess set made of ivory

Anthropological Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Taxidermy mounts are not considered ideal specimens for long-term museum storage or scientific research purposes but the Smithsonian collections do includes examples of specimens mounted for display, such as this croc, mounted in such a lifelike pose that Joaquin Aldabe can't resist the opportunity to put his hand in the mouth of this often to-agressive-for-such-close-contact creature.

Artifacts at MSC Tour
7 June 2004

Pic of the Day
Tuesday, 8 June 2004

Research Project Proposals Due
8 June 2004

To experience as much of the research process as possible, RTP students submit a project proposal outlining their research topic, scientific team, and budget request. Proposals were due today at 4:00 p.m. and Lee Zelewicz (left) and Miguel Pinto (right) just made the submission deadline. To read project proposals, visit the revised listing on the RTP information page.

Pizza Social
8 June 2004

Lunch in the ARC is a common gathering activity for RTP students as well as other interns and even some fellows.

Evening Scholarships Discussion
8 June 2004

Students convened this evening in the ARC for a discussion with Sandy Feinstein about academic fellowships and student grant opportunities.

Watching History
9 June 2004

Flags across the country have been called to fly at half staff and Constitution Avenue closed to traffic, the nation prepared to pay final respects to a former president.

Pic of the Day
Wednesday, 9 June 2004

Watching History
9 June 2004

It's not always about science. Positioned in Washington DC, and located on Constitution Avenue between the White House and the US Capitol, today the RTP paused along with the rest of the Nation, to watch as the caisson carrying former President Reagan proceeded past Natural History enroute to the Capitol.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Since many of the mammal taxa couldn't be included in today's tour because the collections are located at MSC, before venturing to the mammal collections students were treated to a little surprise - everyone received a trio of bean bag mammals (grey seal, margay, and yak), complements of the Office of Education.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

The mammals tour was led by Jeremy Jacobs who not only open the cabinets holding specimens of mammals from around the world, representing many different taxa, but he also shared interesting insights about mammal taxonomy, ecology, research trends, and collecting stories.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

The tour begins with the most primative of the mammals, the monotremes, which include the platypus and echidna. Next are the marsupials, and our favorite marsupial, the South American mouse possums.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

As the tour progresses through the phylogenetic sequence and the group moves on, some students, like Joaquin Aldabe, take advantage of the open cases to gain a closer and longer look at the specimens. After all, how often do you get a chance to be face-to-face with a playtpus?

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Of particular fascination is the platypus skull with long extensions to support the characteristic bill.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Although many museum specimens have been treated with toxic substances (e.g. arsenic) to keep insect pests away, and handling specimens, for a variety of reasons, is discouraged, many students, including Jorge Velez, take advantage of the open cases to photograph specimens of interest, such as these marsupials.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

South American mouse possums, one of the few New World marsupials. Can you guess the most common and well know New World marsupial? (The North American opossum, of course, Didelphis virginiana)

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Rodents, rats and bats are mainly what remain at NHB, while most of the other mammals have relocated to large storage at MSC. But, you could spend an entire day just surveying the different rats and especially bats. To aid in scientific investigation of bat study skins, the bones are removed from one side of bat wings so it can be more easily spread open.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

The objects of his summer research, James Morgan proudly holds a specimen tray of shrews.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

The traditional museum collection of bats includes the study skin, which has the body (flesh and bones) removed and replaced with cotton to provide structure. The skulls are kept in glass vials to avoid damage. When a specimen (or group of specimens) is removed for study a tag, like the blue one pictured above, is placed in the storage drawer to alert researchers that more specimens are available and where they're currently located - usually on loan to another researcher but sometimes on exhibit or separated into a special collection.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Arden Ashley (left) and Adrienne Sussman (right) look at a collection of tarsiers. A nocturnal primate, tarsiers have eye sockets that appear huge compared to the rest of their skull.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Tarsius bancanus
In addition to it's exceptionally large eye sockets, note the elongated fingers with rounded pads. These anatomical features evolved to aid the grip of this arboreal species as well as to help it catch it's main food source - insects.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

A new addition to the mammal collection this year is the creation of the mammals version of the "OH MY" cases. Here examples of mammals representing interesting and important mammal studies have been extracted from their taxonomic sequence and grouped together for easy tour group discussion. One of the famous mammal "why we need multiple collections" stories comes from the tri-colored squirrels of the Indo-Pacific region. Although currently grouped as just one species, individuals from different regions appear very different in coat color, and in some cases, size as well. So, to accurately represent the species do you need a male or female. Do you need an adult, juvenile, or young? Do you need a red one, white one, black one, or tri-colored one? And so on . .

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Although taxidermy mounts, like this hedgehog, generally make poor scientific study specimens, they're great for teaching collections, often providing a means for groups to examine the specimen without damage, such as holding on to the wooden base.

Pic of the Day
Thursday, 10 June 2004

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

The majority of US National mammal specimens and special collections have been moved to the Museum's support center in Suitland, Maryland but the RTP Thursday afternoon tour of what remains at the Natural History Building, including the monotremes, rodents and bats (along with Jeremy's stories) kept student's attention for hours. However, a few representatives from off-site collections remain at NHB as part of the newly created "OH MY" mammals cases, including an example of cleared and stained specimens such as the young carnivore held by Kate Musica.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Jackalope

If you've spent any time in the American West you've probably heard of the Jackalope, an odd creature reported to have the body of a jackrabbit and the horns of an antelope. Most think the creature is a myth, but above is "museum specimen proof" that Jackalopes do exits, although not holding true to legend. In 1933 biologists Richard E. Shope and W. W. Hurst revealed that some cottontail rabbits suffered from a disease that causes odd growth, later named Shope's papilloma DNA virus. Shope's papilloma virus, is spread by fleas or ticks and can cause giant skin tumors, which can look like horns.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

The skull of a lion. This one collected by President Theodore Roosevelt during one of his African expeditions.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

One nice thing about the new mammals OH MY collection is that it brings together, in one location, specimens that would normally be spread across many sites. However, what proved one of the favorite aspects of the new grouping was having some specimens on hand that tour groups can touch without risking damage to scientifically valuable collections. While it didn't change their opinion of seal hunting, after touching the pelt of this fur seal most students understood why so many people want the ultra soft fur.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Another example from the OH MY collection, a young blue whale.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

The great ape specimens are now kept in a new room specially designed for their safe keeping as well as careful study. The collection includes the skeletal remains, such as this skull, of the gorillas featured in Diane Fosse' research.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Gorilla Skull

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Note the extra large growths on the nasal region of the skull in the foreground, compared to the one in the back. These baboon skulls clearly show the morphological difference in the alpha male compared to the subordinates.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Miguel Pinto and friends.

Mammals Collection Tour
10 June 2004

Ethics Workshop
16 June 2004

Lynn Clark, professor of Botany at Iowa State University, led the students in an all-day Workshop on Ethics.

Ethics Workshop
16 June 2004

Students were first introduced to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the issues surrounding the collection of biological specimens.

Ethics Workshop
16 June 2004

Lynn then posed the students with a challenging question of how to resolve the conservation questions over a Species X in Bahia Brazil.

Ethics Workshop
16 June 2004

The group was divided into smaller sections, where students tackled this difficult conservation issue. Each student, including Arden Ashley, had their own opinions about what to do with this species.

Ethics Workshop
16 June 2004

In the third activity of the day, the RTPers broke out into groups and developed a code of ethics for professional collectors of geological, anthropological and biological specimens. Being from Colombia, Mauricio Torres shares his perspective about foreign scientists collecting and considerations for a code of ethics for field biologists.

Pic of the Day
Wednesday, 16 June 2004

Ethics Workshop
16 June 2004

Discussions throughout the day were very intense. Each student brought stimulating ideas to their groups. They then compiled these ideas, gave presentations to the rest of the group, and finally posted their results on the web.

Paleobiology Lecture
18 June 2004

Former RTP student Forest Gahn (1996) gave the RTP morning lecture about his research on evidence for predation and parasitism of crinoids in the fossil record. Forest is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Paleobiology Department.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

The Springer Collection is named for Frank Springer of Wapello, Iowa, who donated the collection in 1911. He collected fossil crinoids as a hobby, donated his collection to the museum, and is now housed in the Paleobiology department. It's the world's largest collection of fossil echinoderms.

Pic of the Day
Friday, 18 June 2004

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

Paleo Day in the RTP featured a lecture by Postdoctoral student and former RTP participant, Forest Gahn. Following the lecture students enjoyed a special behind-the-scenes tour of two unique collections: the Springer Echinoderm Collection and the Burgess Shale Collection. You can learn about them in class, read about them in text books, even see images of them on the web, but there's nothing quite like being there in person and holding the actual specimens for an upclose and personal look and these amazing fossils, as Miguel Pinto can confirm.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

Andrew Gaudreau examines a fossilized crinoid. This specimen is particularly interesting because is shows evidence for arm regeneration, a characteristic of extant echinoderms.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

Forest Gahn's favorite specimen of a fossilized crinoid. He likes this one because it shows evidence of many different kinds of biological interactions, such as parasitism and predation.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

The halls in the paleobiology department are full of interesting fossils. Jonathan Chen admires this fossil crinoid, found in the hall outside of the Springer Collection.

Burgess Shale Tour
18 June 2004

Arden Ashley can't believe she's actually holding a speciman from the Burgess Shale formation. She learned about the Burgess Shale in her geology class, but never thought that one day she'd actually get the chance to hold one of these weird fossils.

Burgess Shale Tour
18 June 2004

Joaquin Aldabe examines a burgess shale fossil.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

Fossil echinoderm.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

Array of fossil echinoderms from the Springer collection.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

Fossil crinoid with long spines which may have helped protect these individuals from predation.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

Fossil crinoids.

Springer Collection Tour
18 June 2004

The ancient ocean must have been a scary place. Imagine encountering a crinoid that is taller than a human! Megan Brown and Adrienne Sussman don't measure up to this fossil crinoid.

Zoology Lecture
21 June 2004

An annual treat, Roy McDiarmid returns to talk of his adventures in South America for the morning's RTP lecture entitled 'Lost World: Cerro de la Neblina'.

Birds Collection Tour
21 June 2004

Following the morning lecture, collections manager Chris Milensky led the RTP students on a tour of the NMNH bird collection.

Birds Collection Tour
21 June 2004

The first leg of the tour included a visit to the bird wet collection, where specimens such as this species of Hornbill are preserved and stored in alcohol.

Birds Collection Tour
21 June 2004

Joaquin Aldabe holds a specimen of the now extinct Ivory-billed woodpecker.

Birds Collection Tour
21 June 2004

How would you like to have this Sword-billed Hummingbird come flying past your head?

Birds Collection Tour
21 June 2004

The talons of a Harpy Eagle are larger than a human head!

Birds Collection Tour
21 June 2004

Arden Ashley compares her hand size to the talons of the Harpy Eagle.

Birds Collection Tour
21 June 2004

With so many interesting birds in the collection, and so many stories to tell, the "OH MY" specimens, displayed on the counter for easy viewing provided a great way to start the tour through the birds collection. Here Chris holds a specimen of the very colorful, but presumed now extinct Carolina parakeet.

Birds Collection Tour
21 June 2004

This Evening Grosbeak is a gynadromorph, which means that it is both female and male. The two halves are different colors, the yellow side is male (top) while the buff side is female.

Bird Skinning Workshop
21 June 2004

In the afternoon Chris Milensky hosted a birds skinning workshop to show students how museum specimens of birds are prepared. Joaquin Aldabe holds a Boat-tailed Grackle, the specimen selected for the demonstration.

Bird Skinning Workshop
21 June 2004

Bird Skinning Workshop
21 June 2004

Documentation is very important. Before preparing any specimens information is recorded in the ledger.

Bird Skinning Workshop
21 June 2004

Although understanding the importance of museum specimens the topic of collecting and preserving, even to the seasoned student, isn't always met without a bit of saddness, as Arden Ashley expresses as the first incision in made in this prep.

Bird Skinning Workshop
21 June 2004

The final product, a museum specimen, which looks no different from the whole specimen.

Graduate School Discussion
23 June 2004

Students gathered in the ARC to discuss graduate school with former RTP intern Elisa Maldonado (2000). Elisa just finished her first year of graduate school in marine biology at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, CA. The discussion included all aspects of the graduate school process, from choosing an advisor to finding funding.

Graduate School Discussion
23 June 2004

Thinking about graduate school is too much for Kate Musica (left) and Ashley Arden. After the discussion, they grab a bit of shuteye before heading back to work for the afternoon.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

While most of the spectacular gems and minerals in the Smithsonian collections can be found on exhibit in the "Geology, Gems, and Minerals" hall, new acquisitions, exceptionally sensitive specimens as well as duplicates are still stored behind the scenes. Nobody know the collection better than Paul Pohwat who agreed to provide a special tour of the collection for the RTP group.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

A small sampling of the collection of precious gems stored in the blue room, many awaiting their turn on exhibit.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

This beautiful red gem is called rhodochrosite with quartz.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Tour leader Paul Pohwat selected some of his favorite specimens to show during the tour.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Digna Ortiz and Megan Brown viewing the new acquisitions.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Even in the minerals tour students got the opportunity to touch and hold specimens. Lynn Copes was amazed at how heavy this piece of gold is, so heavy that Lynn almost dropped it!

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Gold

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Emeralds

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Rocks that have been accessioned and are ready to be added to the collection.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Jonathan Chen holds a gold nugget.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Leslie Hale provided a tour of the Rocks and Ores collection. The museum has a large collection of manganese nodules, such as this one, because it was believed that they could be a potentially valuable source of energy .

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Miguel Pinto

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Emily Moran

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Tim McCoy then led the students through the meteorites collection.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Arden Ashley touches a piece of time...the KT boundary.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Students have to wear gloves when handling the meteorites so as not to damage them.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Digna Ortiz is very excited by this rock, which fueled the belief that there is life on Mars.

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Mineral Sciences Collection Tour
25 June 2004

Touching pieces of time...

Off to Kenya
25 June 2004

Lynn Copes begins the "field work aspect" of here RTP summer, including hopping a plane today to take her to Rick Potts' research site in Kenya. She'll be back 24 Jul 04.

Follow Lynn Cope's adventures through the daily dispatches from the field.

Happy 4th of July!
4 July 2004

6 July 2004

Like many interns, Neil Aschliman finds the ARC a comfortable sanctuary to kick back, read, and relax. . . and grab a handful of m&m's.

6 July 2004

Fresh back from field work out west, Jorge Velez patiently waits his turn to meet with Michelle Nestlerode to complete his travel voucher.

New Phones in the ARC
6 July 2004

As is happening across the rest of the Smithsonian, new VOIP phones were installed in the ARC Tuesday (6 Jul 04) with many fancy features and all new numbers. But, as Miguel Pinto discovered, you can still just dial to make a phone call! Now for figuring out that new ARC phone number?

New Phone in the ARC
7 July 2004

The new ARC phone number? Enter Emily Moran who confirmed that not only do the new phones ring (WOW, what a new concept) but the general ARC number is 202-633-0862.

New Phone in the ARC
7 July 2004

Elisa Maldonado confirmed that the ARC Assistant new number is 202-633-0861 and that the Head of Academic Services number (Mary's new number) is 202-633-4548. Now begins the process of converting all our paper documents and web pages from our old 202-357-4548 to our new numbers.

All Interns Thursday Lunch Discussion
8 July 2004

The curriculum of the RTP is exclusive to RTP participants. However, there are 77 other interns currently in-residence at the NMNH. To provide all interns an opportunity to learn more about research being conducted across the Museum, every Thursday a lunch discussion is held in the ARC featuring a different discipline. This week Doug Owsley shared stories about his career as a forensic anthropologist, including a lesson in how to determine the race of an individual from characteristics in the skull.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

The '04 RTP interns hosted the third annual NMNH Open House, with special guests this summer from the Academy of Natural Sciences joining, as well as other NMNH interns and interns from across the Institution. To welcome our Open House guests Jon Chen and Lee Zelewicz posted a special note on the information white board, located outside the ARC. Jon also served as the official greeter for interns joining the free showing of the IMAX film, Galapagos.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

Passing time while waiting for guests to arrive Kate Musica and Neil Aschliman work on the group crossword puzzle.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

Waiting in the Constitution Avenue Lobby, Miguel Pinto and Digna Ortiz took on the task of directing guests to the ARC for the morning social and issue of name tags.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

Serving as the morning social organizers were our Notre Dame interns: Kate Musica and Andrew Gaudreau.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

To kick off the day, interns gathered in the ARC to meet each other, review the schedule of activities, sign up for a morning and afternoon tour group, and enjoy some refreshments.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

Refreshments featured during the morning social included bagels and cream cheese, donuts, grapes, strawberries, orange juice and, of course the RTP staple, large quantities of m&m's.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

Thanks to cooperation from the Smithsonian Business Ventures group and in particular IMAX theater supervisor, Bob Watson, all interns were welcomed at a special and free showing of Galapagos in 3D IMAX.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

Arden Ashley sees the world through 3D glasses. We wonder, how would those hybrid sand dollars look in 3D IMAX?

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

Emily True, NMNH intern in Public Affairs, takes a moment before the movie to review the Open House schedule of activities.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004

RTP interns, the hosts of the Open House, were just as anxious to see the Galapagos film as our guests. All smiles here: Neil Aschliman, Joaquin Aldabe, Adrienne Sussman, and James Morgan.

NMNH Open House
9 July 2004