New Curator of Natural History at NSMLV

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas has recently hired Richard Gawne as the Curator of Natural History. In this role, Dr. Gawne is charged with enlarging the museum’s natural history collections, conducting research, as well as creating or enhancing the natural history exhibits.

Richard Gawne is an entomologist working in the field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). His current research interests include: (i) comparative analyses of color pattern development/evolution in the butterflies and moths, (ii) the developmental implications of domestication in animals, esp. the silk moth Bombyx mori, and (iii) large-scale trends in the evolution of machines, and other human technologies.  

“I could not be happier that Dr. Gawne has joined the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas,” said Museum Director Hollis J. Gillespie. “Our region has unique and important natural history which is a magnet for visitors and researchers alike. I know that Rick will have the great success enhancing our collections and community engagement.” 

Richard completed his Ph.D. at Duke University, and subsequently held postdoctoral positions at the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (Vienna, Austria), and Tufts University (Boston, USA). In addition, he has been a visiting researcher at several national and international institutions. This includes a Fulbright fellowship awarded to study at the University of Copenhagen’s Center for Social Evolution, and a stay at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Entomology).