People

Megan Barkdull

I am an evolutionary biologist with an interest in the genetic basis and evolutionary consequences of complex traits in ants. I received my Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University. While there, I worked with Dr. Corrie Moreau to investigate patterns of molecular evolution associated with a variety of social traits in ants.

In January 2025, I began as the Assistant Curator of Entomology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, where I conduct research, oversee our collection of more than six million specimens, and work to expand our knowledge of the natural world through collaboration, mentorship, and outreach.

Learn more about my research, curation, and outreach here, find my CV here, or send me an email at mbarkdull [at] nhm [dot] org.

Austin Baker

Dr. Austin Baker is a postdoctoral scholar here at the NHMLAC, where he spearheads the state-funded California Insect Barcoding Initiative, a major multi-institutional effort to generate DNA barcodes for every insect species in the state. Austin holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of California, Riverside, and his research interests are in insect systematics, evolution, biodiversity, and natural history.

Yume Kamal

Yume Kamal is a Master’s student at CSU Domiguez Hills, co-advised by myself and Dr. Terry McGlynn. Yume is studying intraspecific variation in near-infrared reflectivity among ant species with widespread North American distributions. To do so, her work leverages museum specimens, imaging techniques, and bioinformatics.

You?

Please contact me if you are interested in being a postdoctoral associate or undergraduate working on an independent project. I am particularly interested in working with prospective postdoctoral researchers to craft fellowship proposals (e.g. for the NSF PRFB or La Kretz Fellowship).