Museum of Biodiversity

Students will work on ongoing initiatives, such as databasing and digitizing the herbarium to make it more accessible to researchers and the public, restoring historic bird and mammal specimens, designing new exhibits, and increasing our engagement with the public through an online presence and student-led tours. Students can also design their own research project using the Museum of Biodiversity collections. There are endless opportunities for student-designed projects!

Name of research group, project, or lab
Museum of Biodiversity
Website
https://biodiversity.nd.edu/
Why join this research group or lab?

The Museum of Biodiversity is a unique place on campus and contains hundreds of thousands of preserved plants, animals and fossils.

Logistics Information:
Project categories
Art, Art History, and Design
Biological Sciences
History
Preprofessional Studies
Student ranks applicable
First Year
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Graduate Student
Student qualifications

Students from any major and background can successfully work in the museum. 

Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours
2 credits / 6-12 hours
Compensation
Research for Credit
Number of openings
10
Techniques learned

The techniques students learn will vary depending on the project. Possibilities include database management, digitization, curatorial practices, independent research using natural history specimens, data analysis, specimen preparation and restoration, exhibit design and science communication.

Project start
Fall 2025
Contact Information:
Mentor
Joanna Larson
jlarson7@nd.edu
Museum curator
Name of project director or principal investigator
Joanna Larson
Email address of project director or principal investigator
jlarson7@nd.edu
10 sp. | 9 appl.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours (+1)
1 credit / 3-6 hours2 credits / 6-12 hours
Project categories
Biological Sciences (+3)
Art, Art History, and DesignBiological SciencesHistoryPreprofessional Studies