26 Old Collections, New Tricks

This session highlights how re-examination and contemporary analysis of geoscience collections (i.e., rock, fossil, and archival collections, or geologic maps) can advance science, rewrite historical narratives, and contribute to discussions on social justice.

Monday, 23 March 2026
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
CCC, Room 25

Participants

• Chair Lauren Neitzke Adamo
• Chair Carol McCarty
• Chair Julia Vastano

Presentations

• 1:35 PM
  The Paleoecological Significance of Seasonal Intra-tooth Triple Oxygen Isotope (Δ′17O) Variations in Zambian Fossil Herbivores
  Alex Bertacchi, Yale University, New Haven, CT and Sarah Katz, Yale University, New Haven, CT and Jessica Thompson, Yale University, New Haven, CT and George Mudenda, Livingstone Museum, Livingstone and Jordan Wostbrock, Yale University, New Haven, CT
  411148 (Technical Sessions)
• 1:55 PM
  Morphological Control of Swimming Function in Semi-Aquatic Tetrapods
  Maia Klarin, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey and Kiersten Formoso, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey and Lauren Neitzke Adamo, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey and Crystal Pletka, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
  411405 (Technical Sessions)
• 2:15 PM
  The Mars Exploration Rovers Portal to Observations, Resources, and Tools to Advance Legacy Science (MER PORTAL): Enabling Current and Future Scientists to Study Mars with the Spirit and Opportunity Rovers
  Shoshanna Cole, Space Science Institute, Ithaca, NY and Jayne Aubele, NM Museum of Natural History & Science, Albuquerque, NM and The MER PORTAL team
  411217 (Technical Sessions)
• 2:35 PM
  Old Collections and New Tricks at the Stone Pavilion, UConn Storrs.
  Robert Thorson, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT and Mary Ferguson, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
  411363 (Technical Sessions)
• 2:55 PM
  The Joe Webb Peoples Museum (Wesleyan University, Middletown CT): New Lives for Old Fossils
  Ellen Thomas, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
  411222 (Technical Sessions)
• 3:30 PM
  Cataloging and Modernizing Geoscience Collections: Preserving Rutgers Geological History Through Collection Reorganization
  Isabelle Kuethe, Rutgers University, Somerset, NJ and Silas Batty, Rutgers University, Long Branch, NJ and Lauren Neitzke Adamo, Rutgers University
  411454 (Technical Sessions)
• 3:50 PM
  Hidden in Plain Sight: Shedding New Light on a Forgotten Holotype at the Rutgers University Geology Museum
  Matthew San Miguel, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and Carol McCarty, Rutgers University, Highland Park, NJ and Lauren Neitzke-Adamo, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey and Tyler Heneghan, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
  411140 (Technical Sessions)
• 4:10 PM
  Investigating the Origins of the Natural History Society at Rutgers University by Uncovering the History of the Antler Exhibit
  Jack Lehan, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and Carol McCarty, Rutgers University, Highland Park, NJ and Tyler Heneghan, Rutgers University , New Brunswick, NJ and Tarek Ahmed, Rutgers University, New Brunswick , NJ and Lauren Neitzke-Adamo, Rutgers University , New Brunswick, NJ
  411415 (Technical Sessions)
• 4:30 PM
  Preserving Geological Legacy and Scientific Context: The George R. McGhee, Jr. Research Collection
  Silas Batty, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and Isabelle Kuethe, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
  411418 (Technical Sessions)
• 4:50 PM
  My Friend Manny: How Scientific and Historic Research Makes Literary Fun
  Demetria Glennon, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and Lauren Neitzke Adamo, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and Carol McCarty, Rutgers University, Highland Park, NJ and Silas Batty, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and Em Mai, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and Jack Lehan, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and Jack Lau, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
  411446 (Technical Sessions)
• 5:10 PM
  George H. Cook and the Collaborative Foundations of Geology in the Northeastern United States
  Vidushi Dhaka, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ and Carol McCarty, Rutgers University, Highland Park, NJ and Bora Arhan, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ and Lauren Neitzke Adamo, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
  411443 (Technical Sessions)