Life scientists

Life science at the Museum covers a diverse range of subjects, including butterflies, parasites, orchids and algae. Meet some of our researchers and curators.

Jon Ablett

Our mollusc curator looks after everything from Vietnamese land snails to giant squid, participating in the stories of our collections.
Dr Fred Rumsey

Our UK plant expert can find small and hidden species and also works to conserve rare plants.
Dr Adrian Glover

Our deep-sea biodiversity expert explores remote oceans of the world, finding unusual creatures on whale bones, isolated seamounts and in the deep Antarctic.
Dr Martin Hall

Our parasitic fly expert looks at larvae and maggots to help in murder investigations and to fight disease.
Dr Mark Spencer

Our herbariums curator scours the archives for evidence of climate change and invasive species, and even helps the police with criminal cases.
Dr Erica McAlister

Our fly curator tries to repair the reputation of these much-maligned insects and uses them in novel research projects.