Melanie Stiassny

Born in Germany and raised in England, Melanie Stiassny serves as the Axelrod Research Curator of Ichthyology at the American Museum of Natural History. With a PhD from the University of London, she has spent her career researching tropical waters around the world to study the evolution, behavior, and conservation of fishes. Recently, she was appointed lead curator for the museum's new Hall of Ocean Life. She also serves as a professor at Columbia University and as an advisor to organizations such as the World Resources Institute and the International Foundation for Science. Updated 2010