Dr. Taehwan Lee is not just collecting shells. As the Collections Manager for the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology, Mollusk division (UMMZ-MC), Dr. Lee oversees nearly 5 million specimens. In fact, UMMZ-MC has long ranked amongst the most important freshwater and land snail collections in North America. Currently, the division is working to catalog the collection into an online Specify database.
What's something you wish people knew about the mollusk collection?
I think it’s important to share not only the expanse of our mollusk collection, but also our rich history. We know the breadth of time over which the specimens were collected. That means, we are able to see how species occurrences, abundances, and distribution ranges have changed over time. This information supports our research – the most important thing that we do.
What excites you in the world of mollusks right now?
We’re not just collecting shells. One of the most interesting and eye-catching aspects of our specimens is the different types of collections we are getting these days. For example, one of our curators’ research projects focuses on venomous snails and venom evolution is very closely linked to their diet, what snails actually eat. To study snail diet, what do you have to collect? Snail poop. So in recent years, the fastest growing mollusk-related collection has been snail fecal material.
How is the mollusk collection evolving?
The growing interest in the whole genome means we’re working with more wet specimens and frozen tissue. Our frozen tissue collection is growing really fast. Our way of collecting and preserving specimens is closely related to research interests, and as research methods evolve, our approaches to collection and preservation must also change.
What’s inspiring you in the world of science right now?
On a personal level, images of the universe outside our own, like those from the James Webb Telescope, are inspiring to me. When I see those images, I wonder how many stars are out there, and how many have organisms like us. That’s always fascinating to me.
