LSU Museum of Natural Science

🌿🦜📬 The Spring 2026 LSU Museum of Natural Science Newsletter is here!

Dive into the latest 🔬 research discoveries, 🌎 field expeditions, 🎓 student and alumni achievements, 🏛️ museum updates, and more from the LSU MNS community.

📖 Read the newest issue and stay connected with all that's happening at LSU MNS!

🔗 https://www.lsu.edu/mns/news-and-publications/newsletter.php

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🌲🍂🦉Wrapping up the 2025–2026 Special Saturday series with a journey through temperate forests! 🍃🌎

For our final session of the academic year, participants explored the rich biodiversity and ecological importance of temperate forest ecosystems alongside our amazing PhD candidate David Vander Pluym 🎓🔬. From towering trees 🌳 to hidden forest-floor communities, we discovered how these habitats support wildlife, regulate climate, and inspire scientific curiosity. ✨

A huge THANK YOU 💚 to everyone who joined us throughout this year’s Special Saturdays — your enthusiasm and curiosity made every session memorable. 🫶 We can’t wait to see you next season for even more science, exploration, and discovery! 🌎✨🌱

Last Saturday at LSUMNS, we explored the fascinating world of desert ecosystems! 🌵🐪

A big thank you to our guest speaker, PhD Candidate Quinn McCallum (Mason Lab), for sharing insights about how plants and animals survive and thrive in some of the harshest environments on Earth. From extreme temperatures to water conservation, our learners discovered what makes these ecosystems so unique.

We wrapped up the day with a fun, hands-on craft—creating camels using handprints! 🎨 It was a creative way to connect what we learned to something memorable (and adorable).

Thanks to everyone who joined us—we can’t wait for our next Special Saturday!

Please join us in congratulating our beloved Business Manager, Ms. Tammie Jackson, for winning the 'Staff Excellence Award' from the College of Science.

Turnover among administrators is the norm; Tammie's stability and loyalty have been key to our success over the past two decades. Likewise, her work has been exceptional over this time, as reflected by her winning this College-wide award.

Congrats and thank you Tammie Jackson!

Join us for our last LSUMNS Seminar of the Spring Semester 2026!!✨

We are honored to welcome Dr. Gonzalo Giribet, Full Professor at Harvard University, this Friday, May 1st, at 3:30PM. Find more information about his talk in the flyer 🧬

We will also have a Zoom link (https://lsu.zoom.us/j/93924499061 or Meeting ID: 939 2449 9061) for those unable to attend in person.

"A History of DNA Sequencing and How It Has Changed the Way We Do Science at LSU"

By LSU's Paige B. Jarreau

This article highlights the research and history of working with DNA at the Museum of Natural Science - featuring Greg Thom (Curator of Genetic Resources) and quotes from our Director Prosanta Chakrabarty.

A History of DNA Sequencing and How It Has Changed the Way We Do Science at LSU It’s 1979. Imagine carrying a 60-pound liquid nitrogen tank up a mountain in the Andes, on the off chance that you might sight a bird new to science. You are doing this to preserve a tissue sample from a specimen you might capture, but not for yourself. You are doing this so museum scientists can ...

You’re invited! 📣

Join us in the Foster Hall public exhibit space on Friday, April 24th at 3:30 PM for our LSU Museum Seminar.

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Katherine Eaton from Louisiana State University, who will be sharing insights during this special seminar. Be sure to check out the attached flyer for more details about her talk!

Can’t make it in person? No problem—join us via Zoom:
🔗 https://lsu.zoom.us/j/93924499061
Meeting ID: 939 2449 9061

We hope to see you there, either in person or online!

Congrats to our dear Business Manager and boss, Ms. Tammie Jackson, on her 20th anniversary of working at LSU and the Museum of Natural Science. Thank you for all your years of guidance, dedication, and hard work!

🌵✨ Special Saturday at LSU Museum of Natural Science THIS WEEKEND! ✨🌵

Looking for a fun and educational adventure for your kids? Join us for a DESERT-themed experience designed just for young explorers ages 5–10!
🐪 Discover amazing desert animals
🌞 Learn how life survives in extreme environments
🦎 Enjoy hands-on activities and interactive learning

📅 Saturday, April 25
⏰ 10 AM
📍 LSU Foster Hall
🎟️REGISTER HERE FOR FREE: https://lsu.formstack.com/forms/special_saturdays_2025_2026

Featuring PhD Candidate Quinn McCallum, this engaging program will spark curiosity and inspire a love for natural science in a fun, kid-friendly way!
Perfect for curious minds—bring your little scientists and let them explore the desert without leaving Louisiana!