Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Carnegie Museum of Natural History is pleased to announce the 2026–2027 R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Series. This year’s free speaker program brings together academic researchers, museum professionals, and subject matter experts to explore topics ranging from nuclear forensics and biodiversity to archaeology, art history, conservation, and ancient Egypt. Programs take place every month from September 2026 through May 2027 at the museum and online via Zoom, creating opportunities for lifelong learners to engage directly with fascinating research and innovative ideas. View the full schedule and register: https://lnkd.in/gYmWj7bn

During Paleontology – Field to Lab, campers spent the week exploring the techniques and practices of paleontology, from digging in a mock quarry to prepping fossils. They examined tools, glues, and fossil molds during a tour of the Vertebrate Paleontology lab with Curatorial Assistant Linsly Church. At the end of the week, the campers demonstrated their paleontology expertise by designing games and activities to share with the younger campers. There’s more hands-on science exploration ahead this summer! Sign up your aspiring scientist today at https://lnkd.in/eS2t8i5W at the link in our bio.

In a study published in Journal of Field Ornithology earlier this year, Dr. Annie Lindsay, Bird Banding Program Manager, developed a standardized method to safely biopsy fat tissue from wild, migrating songbirds and tested its potential to reveal where that fuel was acquired along the migration journey. Conducted at Powdermill Nature Reserve, this method has potential applications in stopover ecology, diet, and habitat use research. Read the full study here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eMq46362

We are pleased to host the 74th Annual Lepidopterists’ Society Meeting at the museum this week! Founded in 1947, the Society promotes the study and appreciation of moths and butterflies. The meeting brings together experts and enthusiasts for talks, moth collecting excursions, a viewing of Silence of the Lambs (filmed here at the museum), and opportunities to work in the museum’s Invertebrate Zoology collection. Having hosted in 1954 and 1988, we are delighted to welcome the Society back for the 2026 Annual Meeting.

We’re thrilled to share that Egypt on the Nile will open on May 1, 2027! This new long-term exhibition brings ancient Egyptian stories back to our galleries, exploring human relationships with the Nile River and its surrounding landscapes. https://bit.ly/4vpJlIS Visitors can expect an immersive, interactive experience featuring familiar favorites and never-before-displayed objects and specimens, including the Dahshur boat and natural science specimens from across the museum’s scientific sections. Led by Dr. Lisa Haney, Curator of Egypt on the Nile, and Sarah Crawford, Senior Director of Museum Experience, the Museum Experience team is hard at work to bring the exhibition to life for visitors next year, building on years of preparation. Thank you to Josh Ewers at TribLIVE for covering this exciting news! Read more in the article: https://bit.ly/4vl7n7O

Congratulations to Dr. Matthew Lamanna, Mary R. Dawson Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, and team on the discovery of a new dinosaur species! The newly named microraptor Jian changmaensis was found in northwestern China and is the first non-avian dinosaur to be found at one of the most important fossil bird sites in the world. “For decades, the Changma site has been renowned among paleontologists for its extraordinary bird fossils. Now, with the discovery of Jian, we finally know what was eating them,” says Dr. Matt Lamanna, Mary R. Dawson Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and corresponding author on the paper out today in Annals of Carnegie Museum. Thank you to CNN and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for covering this incredible find! Both stories are linked below as well as the full text of the paper. "Fossil reveals bizarre gliding creature that hunted birds 120 million years ago" by Ashley Strickland Ko for CNN: https://cnn.it/4g0CPmM "Carnegie museum paleontologist co-leads discovery of a new dinosaur species in China" by Mary Ann Thomas for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: https://bit.ly/4ugQzxc “First Non-Avian Theropod (Dromaeosauridae, Microraptorinae) from the Bird-Bearing Lower Cretaceous Xiagou Formation of the Changma Basin, Gansu Province, Northwestern China,” Annals of Carnegie Museum: https://bit.ly/4oa1LKO Illustration: The new microraptor dinosaur Jian changmaensis (left) attacks the early bird Gansus yumenensis (right) in what is now the Changma Basin of northwestern China approximately 120 million years ago. Credits: illustration by Lewis LaRosa, colorized by Jão Canola.

What can you learn from a museum scientist in just a few minutes? On Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m., we’ll wrap up the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar season of free talks with “Natural History in a Flash: Lightning Talks from Carnegie Museum Scientists.” Peruse these photos and the talk lineup below for a preview of what’s to come, then attend in person in the Art Theater or online via Zoom to hear the full stories behind them. Details and registration: https://lnkd.in/eihQtCDp Lightning Talks Lineup: “Welcome to the Anthropocene. Why Natural History Matters More Than Ever,” Dr. Nicole Heller, Chair of Research and Curator of Anthropocene Studies “Snails in Cactus Patches,” Dr. Tim Pearce, Curator of Mollusks “One of a Kind–Cayenne Nightjar,” Serina Brady, Collection Manager of Birds “Exploring Personhood in Ancient Egypt,” Dr. Lisa Haney, Curator, Egypt on the Nile “It is Not Just Scales That Make Pangolins Weird,” Dr. John Wible, Curator of Mammals “Songbird Stopover Communities in a Changing World,” Dr. Luke DeGroote, Avian Conservation Scientist at Powdermill Nature Reserve “Baskets as Environmental Archives,” Kristina Gaugler, Collection Manager of Anthropology “Diving for Dinos: Cretaceous Fossils from Croatia,” Dr. Matthew Lamanna, Mary R. Dawson Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology -- Images: We Are Nature: A New Natural History; Snail courtesy of Tim Pearce; Cayenne Nightjar specimen courtesy of Serina Brady; Purifying and Mourning the Dead, Tomb of Nebamun and Ipuky, Metropolitan Museum of Art 30.4.108; Pangolin courtesy of John Wible; Social Network of Birds by Emily Underwood; Close-up of a basket from the museum collection courtesy of Kristina Gaugler; Diving for Dinos courtesy of Matt Lamanna.

Join us as we wrap up the 2025-2026 R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar season with Lightning Talks! Listen to eight Carnegie Museum of Natural History researchers give quick snapshots of their research—from dinosaurs to pangolins to ancient Egypt. Check out the full line-up below and visit our website to register. https://bit.ly/4eOOioY 🗓 Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 6:00–7:00 p.m. 📍 Art Theater + online via Zoom 🎟 Free. Museum admission not required. Natural History in a Flash: Lightning Talks from Carnegie Museum Scientists “Welcome to the Anthropocene. Why Natural History Matters More Than Ever.” Dr. Nicole Heller, Chair of Research and Curator of Anthropocene Studies “Snails in Cactus Patches” Dr. Tim Pearce, Curator of Mollusks “One of a Kind–Cayenne Nightjar” Serina Brady, Collection Manager of Birds “Exploring Personhood in Ancient Egypt” Dr. Lisa Haney, Curator, Egypt on the Nile “It is Not Just Scales That Make Pangolins Weird” Dr. John Wible, Curator of Mammals “Migration Pit Stops: Wetland Birds are Picky” Dr. Luke DeGroote, Avian Conservation Scientist at Powdermill Nature Reserve “Baskets as Environmental Archives” Kristina Gaugler, Collection Manager of Anthropology “Diving for Dinos: Cretaceous Fossils from Croatia” Dr. Matthew Lamanna, Mary R. Dawson Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology

Earlier this month, Powdermill Nature Reserve hosted Science in the Stream Day, inviting the public to enjoy hands-on activities and research demonstrations in and along Powdermill Run. The event focused on the science and conservation of streams and included activities developed by the Climate and Rural Systems Partnership, a museum-led research project that brought educators, environmental professionals and researchers together to spark friendly, science-based, effective conversations about climate change. Kara Holsopple covered the event for The Allegheny Front, speaking with participants, community partners, and our Director of Community Learning, Laurie Giarratani. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eHtGNJPz

Happy Earth Day from all of us at Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Powdermill Nature Reserve! “Is the exploration of the natural world just a pleasant way to pass the golden hours of childhood or is there something deeper? I am sure there is something deeper, something lasting and significant. Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth, are never alone or weary of life.” – Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder -- Photos: Vertebrate Paleontology team during field work in Patagonia. Nicole Heller, Curator of Anthropocene Studies, and her research partner during field work in Hawaii. Seth Davidson, Exhibitions Preparator; Amanda Walsh, Senior Manager of Exhibitions; and Annick Vuissoz, Conservator, preparing materials for Uprooted: Plants Out of Place. Jennifer Sheridan, Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, and team in Borneo. Photo by Pablo Vazquez Garcia. Carey Miller, Interim Director of Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Vice President and Chief Development Officer for Carnegie Museums, with her family. Jordan, Natural History Interpreter, at WinterTide. Photo by Camila Casas, The Warhol Academy. Luke DeGroote, Avian Conservation Scientist, Powdermill Nature Reserve. Photo by Pam Curtin. Kianna, Natural History Interpreter, at NatureFest. Photo by Camila Casas, The Warhol Academy. Staff celebrating the completion of a years-long collections management software project. Section of Botany during field work in Alaska.