I am a museum collection manager, PhD ecologist, and illustrator returning to professional life after pausing my career for childcare. I have demonstrated the ability to interpret and simplify complex research topics, visually and in writing, for a variety of audiences.…

Megan E. Paustian, Ph.D.

I am a museum collection manager, PhD ecologist, and illustrator returning to professional life after pausing my career for childcare. I have demonstrated the ability to interpret and simplify complex research topics, visually and in writing, for a variety of audiences.…

Available to hire

I am a museum collection manager, PhD ecologist, and illustrator returning to professional life after pausing my career for childcare.
I have demonstrated the ability to interpret and simplify complex research topics, visually and in writing, for a variety of audiences.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
German
Beginner

Work Experience

Museum Assistant at Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
December 1, 2023 - Present
Photograph and digitize marine mollusc specimens under an NSF grant.
Scientific Manuscript Editor at Better Papers Faster
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Revised manuscripts in the life sciences for logical flow, strength of argument, and grammar.
Technical Writer at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
Produced concise, up-to-date species summaries for sixteen “Land Snails and Slugs of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States” webpages.
Contractor at Dept. of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2016
Inventoried and researched the original taxonomy of the mollusc secondary types collection (~10,000 lots). Reconciled discrepancies between museum database location records and collection layout. Relabeled, rehoused, and reshelved specimens (dry and wet) as necessary.
Jessup Fellow at Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2013
Studied anatomy and collected genetic data of land slug genus Pallifera for taxonomic revision.
Collection Manager of Mollusks at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
Co-orchestrated the move of the entire mollusk collection into a new archival space. Founded and coordinated professional relationship with archival box manufacturer. Accessioned (and deaccessioned), digitally catalogued, labeled, and shelved specimens. Updated taxonomic names to modern nomenclature. Responded to outside collection queries, prepared loans for shipping, and handled gifts. Hired and trained eight interns in collections management tasks. Assisted in field surveys and identification of land snails.
Rubenstein Fellow at Encyclopedia of Life, National Museum of Natural History
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Researched taxonomy, wrote species descriptions, and collected photos to produce a webpage for each of 550 terrestrial slug species on Encyclopedia of Life website.
Graduate Student Contractor at Dept. of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2010
Inventoried and updated database records of the mollusc types collection (~12,000 lots). Performed taxonomic and geographic corrections. Relabeled, rehoused, and reshelved specimens (dry and wet) as necessary.
Teaching Assistant at University of Maryland, College Park
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2008
Teaching Assistant responsibilities for introductory biology.

Education

Ph.D., BEES (Biology, Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics) at University of Maryland, College Park, MD
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2010
B.A. in Biology and Environmental Science at Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2004

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Life Sciences, Non-Profit Organization, Government, Media & Entertainment

Skills

Experience Level