Samanta Orellana, PhD
Fungus weevils, collections & biodiversity data
Research Interests
- Taxonomy and systematics of fungus weevils (Coleoptera: Anthribidae).
- Entomological collections management and digitization.
- Biodiversity data accessibility for research, education and outreach.
Education
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America (2025-present)
- Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America (2024).
- M.Sc. in Entomology, Universidad de Panama, Panama City, Panama (2018).
- Postgraduate Diploma in Entomology, Universidad de Panama, Panama City, Panama (2017).
- B.Sc. in Biology, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala (2014).
Relevant Training
- Weevil Course & Roundup. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Museum of Texas Tech University, Canadian Museum of Nature. Southwestern Research Station, Arizona, USA (2025).
- Entomological Collection Management Workshop. Entomological Collection Network and Arizona State University, Arizona, USA (2022).
- Digitization Academy: Introduction to Biodiversity Specimen Digitization. iDigBio, University of Florida, Florida State University and Florida Museum. Virtual (2021).
- Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques Workshop. Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Guatemala City, Guatemala (2018).
- Zoological Nomenclature (Course). Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, Guatemala City, Guatemala (2015).
Research and Teaching Experience
- MA Committee Member. Capstone Project, Omotayo Agunbiade. MA in Museum Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA.
- Teaching Assistant. General Biology, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University. Tempe, Arizona, USA (2021-2024).
- Research Assistant. ASU Biocollections, Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center, Arizona State University. Tempe, Arizona, USA (2019-2021).
Professional Memberships
- The Coleopterist Society
- Entomological Society of America
- Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
- Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World
- College of Professional Pharmacists and Chemists of Guatemala
Languages
Spanish, English
Publications and Presentations
(See here)
Scientific Outreach
(See here)