Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History Research and Collections

Genetics Program


Northern Cardinal Nest containing three cardinal eggs, one Bronzed Cowbird egg, and two Brown-headed Cowbird eggs. Lindsey Thompson

Laboratory Technician

I began work as a laboratory technician under the supervision of Dr. John Dumbacher at the Molecular Genetics Program in June, 2002 following graduation from Pomona College. Currently I am contributing to two projects. The first aims to obtain a better understanding of lowland biogeography of Papua New Guinean avifauna. This will be accomplished by using molecular techniques to study six widespread lowland taxa, the Little Shrike Thrush (Collurcincla megarhyncha), the Variable Pitohui- pictured above (Pitohui kirocephalus), the Frilled Monarch (Arses telescophthalmus), the Rufous Babbler (Pomatostomus isidorei), Southern and Northern Cassowaries (Casuarius casuarius and Casuarius unappendiculatus), and the Yellow-billed Kingfisher (Syma torotoro). The objective of the second project is to construct a molecular phylogeny of the Pachycephalidae, an Australasian avian family.

Link to my CV.

Revision: February 2003


Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History