Our Staff

As the Fossil Lab Manager Ms. Potze is responsible for the preparation and conservation of all the fossils at Rancho La Brea.

James prepares fossils of mammals, mostly marine mammals including whales, dolphins, and pinnipeds from the Oligocene, Miocene, and Pleistocene, for use in research and display.

Lani is part of the Collections Rescue project team.

Madison works on various projects in the bird collection.

Sylvia works on the digitization of NHM's extensive insect collection.

As a Preparator at Project 23, Karin is responsible for excavating fossils, training volunteers and students and sharing her expertise with the public.

As Associate Vice President for Collections, Trina works with staff in all departments to improve and advocate for our three museums’ incredible collections.

Shannen is a mammalogist from Utah with research interests in small mammals of the Western U.S. and comparative primate life histories. She oversees the care, management, and digitization of the museum's nearly 100,000 specimen mammal collection.