The Museum of Southwestern Biology is a research and teaching facility in the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico.
open weekdays 8am - 5pm
visitors welcome by appointment
information for visitors
phone: (505) 277-1360
fax: (505) 277-1351
museum administrator
mailing:
Museum of Southwestern Biology
1 University of New Mexico
MSC03-2020
Albuquerque, NM 87131
shipping:
University of New Mexico
302 Yale Blvd NE
CERIA 83, Room 204
Albuquerque, NM, USA 87131
| Museum collections are indispensable in environmental contamination research because they not only provide a nexus for diverse networks of data (chemistry, genetics, pathogens, etc.), but they also facilitate our ability to understand how conditions have changed. Historic specimens capture temporal snapshots of environmental conditions for pollutants such as microplastics, DDT, PFAS, and heavy metals like mercury. Small mammals are key sentinels for environmental toxicology and provide scientific insights into how environmental conditions can result in biological impacts to wildlife and humans. An improved understanding of the distribution, concentration, and uptake of pollutants in wild mammals has direct implications for human health and well-being. Through specimen-based research, we can better understand how varying levels of synthetic chemicals in our environments can result in adverse health effects. |
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