Hi, I am a graduate student at The George Washington University receiving my master’s degree in Museum Studies – Exhibition and Visitor Experience in May 2026.  While at GWU, I volunteered and interned at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and currently I am have a curatorial internship with the National Museum of American History.

As an intern at the National Museum of Natural History, I worked with the Sundance Fossil Insect Collection—curating a Middle Jurassic assemblage of over 3000 fossil insects. I also volunteer in the FossiLab, performing jacketing and scientific drawings and with the Office of Education and Outreach, where I teach school-aged children about geology and paleontology. In addition, I wrote a science piece for Smithsonian Voices, giving a behind the scenes look at the Fossils Lab.

With the National Museum of American History, I am assisting with curatorial research, collection acquisitions, collections databasing and exhibit label development, including projects focused on expanding collections to better represent marginalized communities.

My background includes a bachelor’s degree in Geology (Paleontology concentration) from Appalachian State University, where I was able to experience hands-on paleontological research, geological fieldwork in Italy, and exhibit design experience from my undergraduate internship at the ASU McKinney Museum.  My undergrad research assistant and senior thesis explored how fossil reconstructions shape public understanding and proposed new approaches to exhibit design using the giant fossil shark Otodus megalodon as a case study.

I’m passionate about combining science, design, and storytelling to create meaningful museum experiences. I want open minds to the unknown by inspiring and connecting people with the natural world.

To see examples of my work, check out the links above or from the menu.

Thanks for visiting!

Alec Quinn