FSU Digitization Academy | Digital Biodiversity Specimens

Digitization Academy

Current Team Members

Austin Mast

Director of iDigBio’s Digitization, Workforce Development, and Citizen Science Domain

Austin’s research program involves topics within the broadly defined area of biodiversity study. He is particularly interested in (1) the interplay of ecology and evolution that determines the form and function of plant life on Earth, (2) the use of biodiversity research specimens and digital information about them to bring that interplay into sharper focus, and (3) public engagement in the research to further science and STEM literacy goals. In addition to serving as Director of iDigBio's Digitization, Workforce Development, and Citizen Science Domain, he serves as Director of Florida State University's Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium and FSU's Institute for Digital Information and Scientific Communication, as well as Board Chair for the Citizen Science Association. Austin earned his Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin, Madison, and is a Professor in FSU’s Department of Biological Science.

Fritz Pichardo Marcano

iDigBio’s Interim Workforce Development Manager

Fritz is a graduate student at Florida State University who is creating Spanish-language content for the Digitization Academy. At FSU, he focuses on using digitally available plant occurrence data to address questions related to biodiversity in the Caribbean Region. He has been involved with natural history collections and herbaria since starting his bachelor’s degree in Biology in the Dominican Republic in 2006. During his time at FSU, Fritz has developed his skills in specimen curation and data management at the Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium. Before coming to FSU, Fritz finished a master’s degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, where he worked with the phylogenetics and historical biogeography of the palm tribe Euterpeae. Fritz is also passionate about biodiversity informatics and developing software tools to support biodiversity research.

Nicole James

Digital Media Expert

Nicole is a digital media expert with iDigBio, focused on imaging techniques, 3D modeling, and immersive media experiences for biodiversity collections. She graduated with her MFA from Florida State University in Studio Art and worked within the Digital Fabrication Lab while attending, gaining knowledge in digital applications and equipment such as 3D scanners and printers. She has taught digital-based media courses at FSU during her graduate career and continues to explore new technologies and digital applications to apply within the classroom. Nicole is a practicing new media artist and holds a BA in Media Studies and Studio Art from the University of Virginia. She is also a part-time instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University within the Arts Foundation program in Richmond, Virginia, specializing in time-based and digital media.

Alex Adkinson

Digital Media Expert

Alex Adkinson is a digital media expert with iDigBio, focused on imaging techniques, 3D modeling, and immersive media experiences for biodiversity collections. With Austin Mast and Nicole James, he developed a photogrammetry protocol to capture 3D features of plant specimens in the field at time of collection. Alex also works as the manager of FSU's Digital Fabrication Lab and instructor in FSU's Department of Art, where he received his Master of Fine Arts in 2022. Alex maintains an active art practice, combining digital and traditional techniques to create sculpture and installations.

Kalina Jakymec

Workforce Development Manager with iDigBio

Kalina serves as the Workforce Development Manager for iDigBio and works with colleagues to develop, deliver, and enhance the Digitization Academy’s professional development offerings for the biodiversity community. She also contributes to the development of digitization protocols, best practices, and standards where there is a need to do so in support of biodiversity collections digitization. Prior to joining the iDigBio team, Kalina spent ten years at the Field Museum in Chicago, where she worked on four NSF-funded digitization grants focused on invertebrate collections. Kalina is interested in the future of biodiversity data collection and passionate about the importance of community science in the stewardship, exploration, and protection of the Earth’s biota.

Former Team Members

Lauren Cohen

Former Workforce Development Manager with iDigBio

Lauren now serves as a Deputy Project Manager with iDigBio. She will be leading the establishment of formal professional development offerings through our Digitization Academy. The Digitization Academy, founded in 2021, will explore topics that arise from our designated community’s needs. Lauren attended Johns Hopkins University where she obtained a master’s degree in Museum Studies and Digital Curation. She volunteered with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for five years and interned with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Lauren has a passion for the digitization of natural history collections, museum education, 21st century engagement strategies, and citizen science. Prior to joining iDigBio, Lauren actively worked in the field of ornamental horticulture and landscape architecture for over two decades. She has a B.S. in Horticulture from Temple University and a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Chatham University.

Erica Krimmel

Former Digitization Resources Coordinator with iDigBio

Erica Krimmel is a biodiversity information scientist working with the natural history collections community to maximize the accessibility and usefulness of specimen-based data. As Digitization Resources Coordinator at iDigBio, she was responsible for organizing and leading working groups and workshops, improving resources for digitization training and workforce development, and fostering collaboration. In this role her background in information science adds broadly applicable technical skills and theory to her passion for life sciences. Prior to joining iDigBio, Erica worked in a variety of natural history collections, including those at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and Sagehen Creek Field Station. She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in Library & Information Science from San Jose State University.

Michael Denslow

Former Workforce Development Instructor with iDigBio

Michael is currently the Project Coordinator for the Notes from Nature project. He has worked in small and large museum collections around the United States and on several museum digitization projects. He has expertise in biodiversity informatics, museum curation, public participation in science and geographic information science. When not working, he can be found in the field enjoying the natural world. Michael earned a B.A. in Geography from the University of Denver and a Master's degree in Biology from Appalachian State University.