‘It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science’ steps inside the Museum of Southwestern Biology

Behind locked doors on campus, a world-class collection fuels global research on evolution, conservation and climate change.

Thousands of students walk past it every day without knowing what lies inside. Tucked at the center of The University of New Mexico's main campus, the Museum of Southwestern Biology quietly houses nearly 5 million preserved animal and plant specimens from around the world - and it's changing how scientists understand life itself.

In this episode of It's (Probably) Not Rocket Science titled "Inside UNM's Hidden Museum," Christopher Witt, professor of biology and curator of the museum's bird collection, shares how this hidden museum became a global hub for research.

"It's a set of natural history collections that's a kind of hidden gem resource of the Biology Department and the College of Arts and Sciences," said Witt.

Born in the Desert, Grown Worldwide
The museum traces its roots to 1938, when biology professor Edward Castetter hired a young Cornell graduate, William Coster, to build UNM's first vertebrate collections. What began with fish and a handful of mammals has since evolved into an international research hub.

"Some universities let their collections fizzle out," Witt said. "We were fortunate to keep ours alive - and keep investing."

Though its name suggests a regional focus, the museum's reach is global. Researchers now conduct fieldwork across South America, Central Asia and the South Pacific, collecting samples and collaborating with scientists worldwide.

"We're really strong in the Southwest," Witt said. "But the truth is we're global. We have specimens from every continent except Antarctica."

More Than a Museum
Unlike traditional galleries, the museum is a working research facility. There are no public exhibit halls - just climate-controlled rooms, long aisles of cabinets and busy lab benches.

"Our focus is on building, maintaining and curating collections to maximize their value for research and education," Witt said.

The work pays off. UNM scientists publish about 80 peer-reviewed studies each year from museum research, while outside scientists using its data produce another 400 publications annually.

From Hummingbirds to Habitat Health
Each of the museum's eight divisions contributes to a broader understanding of biodiversity. The fish division studies endangered species such as the Rio Grande silvery minnow and Gila trout, while the reptile and amphibian division tracks species like the Arizona toad and black rattlesnake.

Witt's bird division examines how mountains drive evolution. One project gained national attention after researchers discovered that the giant hummingbird, the world's largest species, was actually two distinct species - one a high-altitude specialist and the other a long-distance migrant.

"No one had realized that before," Witt said. "We were able to see the genetic and physiological differences that separate them."

The study, led by former UNM Ph.D. student Jessie Williamson, showcased how long-term research can reveal hidden patterns in nature.

A Record for the Future
For Witt, each specimen cataloged is more than a data point - it's a permanent environmental record for future generations.

"When students start preparing specimens, they realize they're putting down a record that might still be studied a century from now," he said. "It's something permanent."

Those records already help researchers study climate change, microplastics and 'forever chemicals' in wildlife.

"There's no other place to go to study how these toxins have changed over time," Witt said. "Museums like ours are the only archives that make that kind of research possible."

What's Next for UNM's Hidden Gem
New tools such as CT scanning and genome sequencing are transforming how scientists study specimens, revealing anatomical and genetic details never seen before.

Despite challenges with space and funding, Witt said the museum's community - students, staff and volunteers - keeps it thriving.

"It's a lot of work," he said. "But the passion for the organisms and for the record of nature - that's what keeps us going."

To hear more about UNM's Museum of Southwestern Biology and how its research is shaping the future of science, listen to It's (Probably) Not Rocket Science, available at podcast.unm.edu, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere else you get your podcasts. You can also follow IPNRS on Instagram and TikTok.