Medical history curators available to share expertise with media

While the museum building is closed, curators and historians at the National Museum of American History are available to share expertise with journalists. Highlights of experts from the Medicine and Science division are below.

ALEXANDRA LORD, Ph.D.

Chair, Division of Medicine and Science

B.A., Vassar College
M.A., College of William and Mary
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison
J. Elliot Royer Post-Doctoral Fellow in the History of Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco

Relevant Research Specialties: The history of public health, the ways in which diseases related to women and children have been understood

DIANE WENDT

Curator, Division of Medicine and Science
B.A., College of William and Mary, 1982

Revelant research specialities: History of pharmacy, vaccines and biologicals, patent medicines and consumer health products

KATHERINE OTT, Ph.D.

Curator, Division of Medicine and Science
Ph.D. American History, Temple University
M.A. American History, Temple University
B.U.S. Media Studies and Mass Communication, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

Revelant research specialities: History of the body, disability, ethnic and folk medicine, integrative and alternative medicine, medical technology

RACHEL ANDERSON

Project and Curatorial Assistant, Division of Medicine and Science
B.A., University of Washington, Philosophy
B.A., University of Washington, Comparative Religion
M.A., George Washington University, Museum Studies

Relevant research specialties: History of vaccines and biologicals

MALLORY WARNER

Museum Specialist, Division of Medicine and Science
B.A., Zoology and Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.A., Museum Studies, George Washington University

Role in Museum: Works with the biotechnology and genetics collection.  Conducts research.

 

EXHIBITIONS, BLOGS AND ONLINE COLLECTIONS

Exhibitions:

Modern Medicine and the Great War

Whatever Happened to Polio?

Online collection:

The Antibody Initiative

Blogs:

Standing up against disease together—or not

Kids pitched in to defeat disease and advance medical research

Outbreak! On the front lines of a measles epidemic

Combating infectious disease and slaying the rubella dragon, 1969-1972

For more Medicine and Science blogs, please visit https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog.


ABOUT THE MUSEUM

Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History explores the infinite richness and complexity of American history. It helps people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. The museum is located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. For more information, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

Media only:
Melinda Machado
202-633-3311
 
Valeska Hilbig
202-633-3309