Jason Bond has been named Director of Auburn's Biodiversity Learning Center, which will host the Auburn Museum of Natural History.
Jason Bond, a biology professor from East Carolina University, accepted the position that he described as "ideal."
"I'm very interested in the study of biodiversity and the role that museum collections play in the field," Bond said. "It was a really good fit for my research and interests as well as the components of outreach and education that are associated with the museum."
Before working at ECU for nine years, Bond received a bachelor of sciences degree in biology from Western Carolina University.
There, Bond recognized his interest in spider taxonomy and did undergraduate research. He then received his master's and Ph.D. in systematics and genetics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).
The Biodiversity Learning Center is still in its beginning phases of construction, and Dr. Jack Feminella, professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, believes Bond is a great fit for the position.
"He has a very strong set of skills working in molecular systematics and using gene sequences to understand how organisms are related to one another," Feminella said. "He's done work with arthropods and spiders--groups we have a lot less expertise on. He also has vet expertise that compliments what we already have in our department."
Feminella is excited to begin construction of the new establishment, as well as increase the function of existing collections in research, teaching and outreach programs.
"This is an exciting time for us," he said. "It's a building that will be a permanent home for the biological collections, which include significant collections in fishes, amphibians and reptiles, birds and mammals, native plants and aquatic invertebrates."
Feminella said these collections have been built upon for decades and said the Biodiversity Learning Center will allow faculty, students and even outside scientists to study particular organisms housed by the museum.
As a taxonomist, Bond has had the privilege of naming certain species of spiders, using an unconventional approach--celebrity inspiration.
"I previously named a spider for Neil Young," Bond said. "The name is Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi, which is a spider species from Alabama, and I thought had a bit of humor laced there, as well, given the history of Neil Young."
In a segment called, "Who's Not Honoring Me Now?" television host, Stephen Colbert complained that a professor from ECU named a spider for Neil Young, but not Colbert, according to Bond.
"The folks at my previous institution and his people ended up talking and ultimately, he asked if I would name a spider for him," said Bond.
About a month after naming the spider, Aptostichus stephencolberti, Bond appeared on The Colbert Report to announce that the name was published.
"While it was funny, it was also a great opportunity to connect people to biodiversity and taxonomy," Bond said.
Craig Guyer, professor and curator of herpetology, said Bond is an excellent fit for directing the Biodiversity Learning Center not only because of his extensive experience in documenting spider and myriapod diversity, but also because of his ability to explain to the public why knowing about this diversity is so important.
"Jason has an infectious enthusiasm about our research collections, and this will go a long way toward expanding interest in the collections among Alabama's citizens," Guyer said. "With luck and Jason's guidance we will finally be able to generate the display space to allow folks to see what we have assembled here."
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