Former Staff

		Jackie B. Chavez Sr. Business Assistant B.A. student, English, Texas Tech University My primary duty is the layout, design and distribution of the publication series’ Occasional Papers, Special Publications, and Museology. I have an interest and am currently studying for an English degree which directly aids me in my duties with the publications at the NSRL. I have been with the NSRL since January 1999.
		Tamara Enríquez Curatorial Assistant, Invertebrates Collection, M.A. Candidate, Museum Science , Texas Tech University B.S. Biology, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, 2001 My research interests include the ecology and taxonomy of Neotropical dung beetles, the taxonomy of troglobic ricinulids and harvestmen from Mexican caves and collections management of natural history specimens, especially invertebrates. At the NSRL, I am currently working in the Invertebrate Collection where my major duties are cataloguing, databasing, preparing specimesn, collecting, helping with taxonomic studies on some arachnids, and assisting with the daily activities in the collection.
		Alanna Malone Student Assistant, Mammal Collection, Fall 2007 M.A. student, Museum Science, Texas Tech University B.A., English, University of Mary Hardin Baylor My duties as a student worker are to assist with organizing collection inventory and to help with loan and specimen preparation. The reason I wanted to work in the Natural Science Research Lab is because I have had a lifelong appreciation for science.  I am currently a first year graduate student in the Museum Science program at Texas Tech University. My interests include grant writing, literature, education, history, science, and exhibits. I am undecided about my future career plans but I do know that I want to work in a museum in some capacity.
		M. Raquel Marchán R. Curatorial Assistant, Mammal Collection Dermested Technician, Mammal Collection raquel.marchan@ttu.edu M.A. candidate, Department of Biology, Texas Tech University B. S., Biology, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, 2006. Associate Researcher Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador My main interest is the morphology of mammals. My current research is focused in elucidating the taxonomic status of some species of Neotropical bats, particularly members of the Artibeus genus. Using morphometric techniques I analyze the cranial structure to obtain further insight into the subtle morphological differences between species and to clarify intrageneric relationships. Additionally, I carry out biogeographic studies to model species’ geographic ranges using Geographic Information Systems. At the Museum, my research involves the curation, data management and organization of the mammal collection at the NSRL. My most recent work included the updating of the database taxonomy according to the last edition of Mammal Species of the World (Wilson and Reeder 2005). Currently we are in the process of implementing the database changes into the collection. Additionally, I am the dermested technician and the responsible for tracking and cleaning the specimens.
		Amelia Nusbaum Curatorial Assistant, Chornobyl Collection, 2005-2006 M.A. student, Museum Science, Texas Tech University B.S., Biology, Mary Baldwin College I am currently a Masters student in Museum Science with a specialization in Zoology. Upon completion of my Masters, I intend on pursuing a career as a behavioral curator in a zoological park. In addition, a secondary interest of mine is the creation and implementation of exhibits to educate the public on the importance of conservation and preservation of all biota within a living or natural history museum. While pursuing my degree I am working for the Natural Science Research Laboratory as the curatorial assistant for the Chornobyl collection. I am involved with the organization and management for the special radioactive collection. In addition, I assist with the organization of the Genetic Resources Collection as well as contributing to other curatorial projects as needed.
		Annie Spikes Student Assistant, Dermestid Colony, 2005-2006 B.S. student, Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University My research interests include entomology and marine biology. My future goals involve research focused on captive animals in a zoological or aquarium setting. At the NSRL, I care for the dermestids including the tracking of specimens through the colony. In addition, I assist with other curatorial duties within the vertebrate collection.
		Meredith Thomas Curatorial Assistant, Mammal Collection, 2007 M.A. student, Museum Science, Texas Tech University B.A., Theater Arts, Texas Woman's University I am currently a Graduate student in Museum Science with interest in Exhibition design, preventive conservation, and in Administration.  After completing my degree I will be pursuing a career as an Exhibits Designer or Assistant Director at a Natural History or History Museum. As a curatorial assistant at the NSRL I perform many tasks.  My major duties include inventorying and labeling specimens for the Mammal Collection and assisting in processing, inventory, and organization of the Genetic Resource Collection.  I also assist in the Invertebrates Collection, as well as other projects within the NSRL.
		Mary E. Belden Graduate Assistant, Invertebrate Collection M.A., Student, Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, Texas Tech University B.A., Spanish, Sociology, Education, South Dakota State University I assist in the daily operations of the NSRL’s invertebrate collections.  My duties include the monitoring for integrated pest management within the NSRL, and the preparation, cataloguing, and recording of specimens for the invertebrate collection.  I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language.  My interests include many different aspects of the invertebrate and mammal collections at NSRL.
		Brittany Chunn Student Assistant, Mammal Collection M.A. student, Museum Science, Texas Tech University B.A., Anthropology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2008 I am pursuing my Master’s degree in Museum Science and started the program in the fall of 2008.  At the NSRL, I am working with the mammal collection helping to catalog and update the Austin collection. My interests lie in education utilizing natural science and anthropological collections.

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