Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Nicholas Drew

Collections Specialist Invertebrate Paleontology and Micropaleontology

Nick serves as the main contact for the vast archives of invertebrate paleontology and micropaleontology collections within the National Fossil Collection. His role involves preserving, organizing, and enhancing the accessibility of these invaluable fossils documenting over 500 million years of life on Earth. He is responsible for the meticulous cataloging and storage of fossils ranging from trilobites and mollusks to microscopic foraminifera and ammonites. He ensures that each specimen is properly maintained, with accurate data for internal and external researchers. A core part of his work is facilitating access to these collections by welcoming visiting researchers and supporting scientific studies. His major initiative is increasing digitization efforts by using high-resolution imaging and 3D scanning to make fossil data available online. These efforts expand access to the collection beyond the museum, allowing scientists and educators worldwide to study the museum's specimens. 

Department / Division
Education
  • M.S., Biology, Case Western Reserve University 2013
  • B.S., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 2008
Collections Areas

Micropaleontology Collections

Invertebrate Paleontology Collections

Affiliations

Society For the Preservation of Natural History Collections