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Austin Mast

Director of iDigBio’s Digitization, Workforce Development, and Participatory 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.

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Fritz Pichardo Marcano

iDigBio’s Digitization Resources Manager

Fritz is leading the development and management of iDigBio's knowledgebase, a central hub for the discovery of digitization resources. He tracks emerging methods and technologies in the field, identifies gaps in existing resources, and works on addressing these gaps by developing protocols and guides. He also instructs digitization courses in Spanish for the Digitization Academy. He has worked with natural history collections since his undergraduate studies at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, where he digitized herbarium and entomological specimens. During graduate school at Florida State University, he managed the herbarium collection and focused on geospatial methods for biodiversity data, particularly developing methods for georeferencing specimen localities. His research background includes work on tropical plant phylogenetics at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Fritz is particularly interested in data management standards and how geospatial analysis can improve our understanding of biodiversity patterns.

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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.

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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.

We have had an ongoing team of experts and enthusiasts that make the Digitization Academy work for you.

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Nicole James

Former 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.