Danita Brandt, Ph.D.

As a paleontologist with two school-aged children, a top priority for Danita Brandt is communicating science (especially issues of age of the Earth and history of life) to a general audience.  Danita is active in various informal science education initiatives, including "Darwin Discovery Day" and Fossil Camp at the MSU Museum.  Danita received her bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Illinois, Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, and Ph.D. from Yale.

“I love working with kids because they love fossils and rocks too.They think that I have the best job in the world, and when I'm talking with them, I feel that way too.”

Favorite Fossils: Trilobites

Jim Harding

James H. Harding is an instructor and the natural history outreach specialist in the Department of Zoology and the Michigan State University Museum.  Jim received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University.  Jim is a research herpetologist specializing in the conservation biology of turtles. He is also a trained interpretive naturalist and spent nine years at the Cranbrook Institute of Science (Bloomfield Hills, MI) in that capacity.  Known as the Museum’s “Critter Guy,” Jim loves to share his extensive knowledge with students. 

Favorite Dinosaur: Triceratops

Eugene Dillenburg

Eugene Dillenburg is an exhibit developer at The Science Museum of
Minnesota. Before that, he developed exhibits for The Shedd Aquarium
and The Field Museum of Natural History. He has worked on a wide
variety of exhibit topics, from dinosaur and evolution, to weather
and climate, to American Indians and American history, to animals,
physics, sound and even art. He is also a Research Associate at the
MSU Museum, and teaches in the museum studies program.

Favorite animal: Goat

Courtney Miller

Courtney has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Michigan State University. She is currently working on a second degree in Microbiology and later plans to attend vet school. She has been horseback riding since the age of five and has three horses, three dogs and two cats at home. Courtney loves having the opportunity to work with both animals and children.

Favorite Animal: Manatee

Sasha Fawaz

Sasha is a senior majoring in both zoology and psychology.  Upon completion of her degrees, she plans to attend veterinary school to pursue a career in pathology.  She is a docent at Potter Park Zoo and has been president of the Zoological Students Organization for three years. She has also participated in MSU’s Study Abroad Program, traveling to Nicaragua, Argentina and Antarctica. Sasha loves getting kids excited about science!

Favorite Animal: Bats