[Nhcoll-l] Advice about the Use of Natural History Collections in Dissertation Project

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

Hi Emmaleigh

Not sure what the issue is.  We routinely loan specimens to researchers for non-destructive hypothesis testing, research projects, and scanning in both university and hospital CT scanners.  Not sure what the rationale of the collection in question was in denying your request but I would think this would be a one off and you may have better luck with other collections.

Andy


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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute

Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863<tel:%28785%29%20864-3863>
Fax: (785) 864-5335<tel:%28785%29%20864-5335>
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258

http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu<http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>

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________________________________
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Emmaleigh Grady <gradye1997 at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 2:38 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Advice about the Use of Natural History Collections in Dissertation Project


Hello,

My name is Emmaleigh Grady and I am a PhD student at Texas A&M University studying biological anthropology. I am currently entering the data collection stage of my dissertation, but have run into an issue related to the use of natural history collections. A mentor of mine suggested reaching out to this listserv to see if any members might be willing to work with me or could offer advice. I thank you in advance for any help you can give.


For my project, I aim to create an expanded and improved ecometric protocol based on bovid dental metrics and apply it to South African hominin sites. The first step in this project involves creating the ecometric model using modern African bovid specimens. Several of the metrics in my protocol will be measured with calipers, but an accurate crown height measurement for a hypsodonty index requires looking inside of the bone. I have considered many avenues for getting this image (medical, veterinary, dental portable x-ray machines, micro-CT scanners), but it seems the most efficient and cost effective method for obtaining 2-D images of many specimens quicky would be a full body CT scanner at a nearby hospital. The idea would be to place several specimens on the bed at a time and capture them all at once. Unfortunately, this would involve removing specimens from collections, and therein lies the issue.


This summer I secured funding for a pilot project to solidify this methodology to inform dissertation funding requests, but the museum I had approached wasn’t able to work with me. It is extremely important for me to conduct a pilot study to ensure the method is appropriate, functional, and to the practicalities surrounding it for planning purposes. Fortunately for a pilot study, I could accept a a sample size smaller than needed for dissertation and I would only require modern species.


As an biological anthropologist with a special interest in paleoanthropology I am very aware of the importance of natural history collections that they are irreplaceable. I have experience in several museums working with specimens of variable age, rarity, and fragility. I say this to emphasize that I understand the responsibility and care required to perform this project.


As a young researcher I am just beginning to  learn about the norms and limitations of working with institutions. Though my advisor and myself think this is a doable project, I wanted to reach out to the collections community before it became too late to pivot if needed. Again, I thank you and appreciate any help or advice you can give me. Also, feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the project.


Have a lovely day,

Emmaleigh Grady

PhD Student at Texas A&M University
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