Cindy Paszkowski

Cindy Paszkowski, Curator, Museum of Zoology: Amphibian and Reptile Collection, and the Ornithology Collection

"What makes Cindy stand out for me is her approach and attitude in her commitment. She never fails to serve the broader University community by serving on committees, providing advice and consultation, and quite simply always contributing as much as she can." - Dr. Jocelyn Hall, Associate Professor (Department of Biological Sciences) and Curator, Vascular Plant Herbarium

For the past 25 years, Dr. Cindy Paszkowski has shown her unwavering dedication to two Museum of Zoology collections in the Department of Biological Sciences. In 1991, she began as the curator of the Ornithology Collection and then became the curator of the Amphibian and Reptile Collection in 1998; both collections are important repositories for biodiversity in Alberta. As an enthusiastic member of the curatorial team in the Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Paszkowski also advocates for the other Biological Sciences collections on the University of Alberta campus.

Dr. Paszkowski's achievements have had a positive impact on many levels. Under her leadership an inventory of over 7,000 bird specimens was completed in the Ornithology Collection and the data made publicly available. She also promoted the Biological Sciences collections in the custom-published textbook of Biology - used by approximately 4,000 students per year. Dr. Paszkowski has also been an active member and chair of many University of Alberta Museums committees over the past 15 years working on the Policy and Planning Committee, the Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Committee and also participated in strategic planning projects for the University of Alberta Museums.

Her continued hard work to promote and preserve the collections she curates is an integral reason for Dr. Paszkowski's recognition. She is committed to assisting research and teaching based on her collections and others on campus.

Adapted from nomination and support letters by Jocelyn Hall, Associate Professor (Department of Biological Sciences) and Curator, Vascular Plant Herbarium, Heather Proctor, Professor (Department of Biological Sciences) and Curator, Freshwater Invertebrate Collection, Felix Sperling, Professor (Department of Biological Sciences) and Curator, E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum, Andrew E. Derocher, Professor (Department of Biological Sciences) and Curator, Mammalogy Collection.