Historia en Español

by Martín Martínez

My name is Martin Martinez and I am a taxidermist and researcher at the Museum of Natural Sciences of Panama; I have been doing this work for 18 years with great satisfaction because I am passionate about the natural history of my country.

Martin Martinez (second from left to right) at FLMNH during his visit in the Spring. Also in the picture: Andy Kilmer (UF student), Tom Webber (manager of the Ornithology Collection), Yanet Mederos (Ornithology Collection) and Judith Carrion (SENACYT). © Photo by Jorge Pino.
Martin Martinez (second from left to right) at FLMNH during his visit in the Spring. Also in the picture: Andy Kilmer (UF student), Tom Webber (manager of the Ornithology Collection), Yanet Mederos (Ornithology Collection) and Judith Carrion (SENACYT). © Photo by Jorge Pino.

My job relates to the preparation, conservation, research and education of the various collections that the museum houses.

Through the museum project that SENACYT, INAC, UF and PCP-PIRE are sponsoring, I was able to travel to the Florida Museum of Natural History to learn important aspects of museum curation, such as the preparation and management of diverse collections of birds, mammals, fish, lepidopterans, plants and fossils. Furthermore, along with researchers from STRI and UF, I have participated in paleontological field trips to the Panama Canal, Colon and Punta Burica. This fieldwork experience has allowed me to expand my scientific expertise about our paleontological treasures.

The most rewarding thing about this effort is the satisfaction of advancing scientific knowledge for the Panamanian people and especially for future generations.


por Martín Martínez

Mi nombre es Martín Martínez y soy taxidermista e investigador del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Panamá, profesión que llevo realizando por 18 años con mucha satisfacción ya que me apasiona la historia natural de mi país.

Martin Martinez (second from left to right) at FLMNH during his visit in the Spring. Also in the picture: Andy Kilmer (UF student), Tom Webber (manager of the Ornithology Collection), Yanet Mederos (Ornithology Collection) and Judith Carrion (SENACYT). © Photo by Jorge Pino.
Martín Martínez (segundo desde la izquierda a derecha) en FLMNH durante su visita en la primavera. También en la imagen: Andy Kilmer (estudiante de UF), Tom Webber (director de la Colección de Ornitología), Yanet Mederos (Ornitología Collection) y Judith Carrión (SENACYT). © Foto por Jorge Pino.

Mi trabajo consiste en la preparación, conservación, investigación y educación de las diversas colecciones que custodia el museo.

A través del proyecto de museografía que lleva SENACYT, INAC, UF y el proyecto PCP-PIRE, tuve la oportunidad de viajar al Museo de Historia Natural de la Florida para conocer aspectos museológicos de mucha importancia, tales como la preparación y el manejo de diversas colecciones de aves, mamíferos, peces, lepidópteros, herbarios y fósiles. Con investigadores de STRI y la Universidad de la Florida, he participado en giras de campo paleontológicas al Canal de Panamá, Colón y Punta Burica. Dicha experiencia en campo me ha permitido extender el acervo científico de nuestros tesoros paleontológicos.

Lo interesante de todo este esfuerzo, es la satisfacción de promover el conocimiento científico al pueblo panameño, especialmente a las futuras generaciones.