Carnegie Museum of Natural History

One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

RW Moriarty Science Seminars

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R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Anti-Racist Initiatives in Exhibition Development at Science Museums

Talk: Exhibiting Race: Anti-Racist Initiatives in Exhibition Development at Science Museums

Speaker: Joanne Jones-Rizzi, Vice President of Science, Equity, and Education at the Science Museum of Minnesota

When: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom; Reception to follow at Café Carnegie

Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.

Joanne Jones-Rizzi, Vice President of Science, Equity, and Education at the Science Museum of Minnesota, is a celebrated leader in inclusive programming, anti-racist initiatives, and community engagement. Joanne will share insights from her career and her experience as one of the exhibition developers of the landmark exhibition, RACE: Are We So Different?

Please join us for casual conversation in Café Carnegie following the seminar. Light snacks and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be available for purchase.

American Sign Language interpretation will be provided by Global Wordsmiths for in-person attendees.

Registration is highly recommended to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars, however, walk-ins are welcome until Art Theater is at full capacity. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom. 

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Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars

Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

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R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Chinese Oracle Bones, 3D Digitization, and Game Design

Talk: The Story of the Bones: Chinese Oracle Bones, 3D Digitization, and Game Design

Speakers: Jonathan Walton, Assistant Teaching Professor, Carnegie Mellon University;  Dr. Gang Liu, Teaching Professor of Chinese Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Carnegie Mellon University

When: Monday, January 12, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom

Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.

Dr. Jonathan Walton and Dr. Gang Liu of Carnegie Mellon University will discuss their project performing 3D scanning of ancient Chinese oracle bones to make virtual models for use by researchers, students, and game users. Integrating game design elements, the project aims to create a unified digital platform that makes these ancient artifacts and related collections from around the world accessible and engaging for modern users.   

Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom. 

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Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars

Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

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R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Insect Double Feature

Dr. David Wagner, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of Connecticut, is a world authority on insect biodiversity, insect conservation, and matters of global change. On December 1, he will give two separate talks at Carnegie Museum of Natural History: one discussing the global decline of insect populations, and a second talk focusing on caterpillars and their role in ecology and evolutionary biology. Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars, read on for full details and registration options for both talks.

Talk: Insect Declines in the Anthropocene

When: Monday, December 1, 2025, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom

Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.

As the human population has expanded in the last century, global insect populations are declining at a concerningly rapid rate. Significant decreases in both species and populations of insects have been reported, thought to result from “a thousand cuts” including pesticide use, agricultural intensification, shifts in climate and human-induced changes to their native environments. Dr. David Wagner, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of Connecticut, is a world authority on insect biodiversity, insect conservation, and matters of global change. In recent years, he has become an expert on insect decline, publishing both academic and general public articles on the subject.

Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom. 

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Talk: Caterpillars: Their Use in Biosystematics, Diversity, and Ecology Studies

When: Monday, December 1, 2025, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom

Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.

Dr. Wagner will highlight discoveries from five decades of biosystematic studies on Lepidoptera. This informal presentation will feature stunning images of caterpillars, their natural history, and how larval life history data has been used to answer big questions in ecology and evolutionary biology. Time allowing, he will provide a status update of a multi-volumed guide to the Caterpillars of Western North America (Princeton University Press).

Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom. 

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Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars

Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

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R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Leading Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve into the Future

Talk: Science, Conservation, and Community: Leading Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve into the Future

Speaker: Dr. Mary Janecka, Director of Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve

When: Monday, November 10, 2025, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Where: Carnegie Library Lecture Hall and online via Zoom

Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.

Dr. Mary Janecka, the new Director of Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve, will present past research and plans for leading the team to advance the station’s scientific research, applied conservation efforts, and public outreach initiatives. Fieldwork has long been at the heart of Mary’s own scientific journey, and she has contributed to making field experiences more accessible and welcoming to all.  Janecka’s own research on host-parasite interactions (primarily in riverine ecosystems) and how these are affected by anthropogenic change has immediate relevance to the Western Pennsylvania region. Her research combines behavioral ecology, genetics, and conservation; it spans both aquatic and terrestrial systems, and across organism groups—from snakes to migratory birds to ticks. With this multidisciplinary expertise, Janecka is uniquely positioned to further elevate Powdermill’s scientific profile and impact.

Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom. 

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Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars

Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

by

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: The Colors of Dinosaurs

Talk: The Colors of Dinosaurs: Using the Fossil Record and Living Birds to Determine Extinct Animal Coloration

Speaker: Dr. Sarah Davis, Collection Manager of Paleobiology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History

When: Thursday, October 9, 2025, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom; Reception to follow in Café Carnegie

Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.

Dr. Sarah Davis, Collection Manager of Paleobiology, will present her research on determining the colors of extinct dinosaurs using both fossil evidence and insights from living animals. While many fossils show that dinosaurs could have had black, brown, grey, and even shiny colors, not all pigments will fossilize. By looking at the evolution of pigments in living animals, along with evidence from the fossil record, it is possible to infer if dinosaurs may have also been able to express bright colors such as red, yellow, and pink. Dr. Davis will discuss which dinosaurs may have been most likely to express these vivid colors, and ongoing challenges in the field of paleo-coloration.

Please join us for a reception in Café Carnegie immediately following the seminar.

Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom. 

[swcheckout site=”6″ item=”136134″]

 

 

 

 

Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars

Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

by

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Restoring an Ancient Fishpond in Maui, Hawaiʻi

Talk: Restoring an Ancient Fishpond in Maui, Hawaiʻi

Speaker: Kiaʻi Collier, Maui Steward and Educator

When: Monday, September 8, 2025, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Where: Earth Theater and online via Zoom

Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required.

Maui steward and educator Kiaʻi Collier is leading the restoration of an ancient fishpond in Maui, Hawaiʻi that is the piko (source) to restore social and ecological function in the community of  Waiheʻe. Learn how Collier leads a hui (group) that is applying ancient techniques of Uhau Humu Pōhaku to heal land and Hawaiian communities.

Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Sign-up below to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom. 

[swcheckout site=”6″ item=”136133″]

 

 

 

Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars

Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics through the 2025 – 2026 R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar season.