Danielle Land

Danielle Land is from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her love for the natural world began as a child by visiting the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNHS) and spending time outdoors. Her desire to learn more about science lead her to obtain a B.S. degree in Biology with minors in chemistry and philosophy at the University of New Mexico (UNM). Following graduation, Land volunteered in the Division of Mammals at the UNM Museum of Southwestern Biology. Then, wanting to continue in the field of biology, she worked as a post-baccalaureate student (NSF REPS) in Dr. Joe Cook’s lab to acquire laboratory and field experience. There she examined the evolutionary history of Eurasian shrews in the Sorex caecutiens group in collaboration with Dr. Jason Malaney at NMMNHS.

While working on her master’s degree, Land will continue to work with the Cook Lab and the Museum of Southwestern Biology to take a more detailed look into Eurasian shrew phylogenetics using museum-loaned tissue samples. Through the MRT program, Land hopes to gain a more interdisciplinary understanding of museum infrastructure and continue to be an advocate for building and preserving collections.