Scientists by Department: Zoology The Department of Zoology is the largest of the Museum's four curatorial departments. Each of its six divisions has its own collections-management staff to maintain our world-class collections of more than 17 million zoological specimens. Field Museum zoologists are actively involved in seeking out and documenting the world’s diversity of animals—mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, millipedes, and mollusks. In addition, they use a variety of approaches to study these specimens and unravel the evolutionary history of animal life. Each year, these researchers discover new species never before known to science and unravel the mysteries of how these creatures interact with and depend upon their habitats. Documenting and understanding the evolution of diversity is critical to making informed decisions about conservation—and essential for monitoring the effectiveness of conservation and management over time. Areas of Study: Field Museum zoologists include specialists who study the systematics, biodiversity, ecology, and conservation of study Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds, Fishes, Insects (with Arachnids), Invertebrates, and Mammals throughout the world. Select which scientist you’d like to meet first: John Bates—Birds of the Tropics, Including Amazonian Bolivia and Brazil in South America and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa Rüdiger Bieler—Mollusks of the Florida Keys, Australia, and Chile Rauri Bowie—The Evolution of Birds in Africa Ana Carnaval—Frogs of Brazil Norbert Cordeiro—Animal and Plant Interactions in Tanzania Alex Dehgan—Large Mammal Conservation in Madagascar Kevin Feldheim—Lemon Sharks of The Western Atlantic and Manager of the Pritzker Molecular Lab Jack Fooden—Asian Primates Jochen Gerber—Snails and Slugs of Italy, Austria, Russia, and Illinois (USA) Thomas Gnoske—Birds of Africa and Asia Paul Goldstein—Butterflies and Moths of North and South America, Europe and Asia Steve Goodman—Vertebrates of Madagascar Shannon Hackett—Bird Evolution and Systematics Larry Heaney—Ecology and Evolution of Mammals on Islands Mary Hennen—Peregrine Falcons of Chicago Julian Kerbis Peterhans—Small Mammal and Bird Faunas Jamie Ladonski—Aquatic Biodiversity of the Great Lakes Region Alfred Newton—Beetles of Central and South America and Australasia Alan Resetar—Amphibians and Reptiles of the Chicago Region Trina Roberts—Bats in the Philippines Alexey Solodovnikov—Rove Beetles of Southern Temperate Regions Rob Stuebing—Snakes and Crocodile Diversity of Borneo Fui Lian Tan—Amphibians and Reptiles of Borneo Jose Tello—Birds of the Neotropics Margaret Thayer—Rove Beetles of Australia, New Zealand, Chile and southern Argentina, and South Africa Janet Voight—Animals of Hydrothermal Vents Harold Voris—Marine Snakes of Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore Mark Westneat—Fishes David Willard—Birds of Chicago, Uganda, the Central African Republic, Madagascar and Bhutan Philip Willink—Fishes of South and Central America   back to Scientist by Department >>   continue to Scientist by Environmental Issue >> Introduction | Investigate Biodiversity | YBC | Meet the Scientist | Explore Global Diversity | Events and Programs | Take Action! | Teaching Biodiversity | Biodiversity Exhibition | Credits