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National Museum of Natural History

A fruit bat with large, dark eyes, big ears and light brown fur wraps its gray wings around a tree branch.

To Uncover the Origins of Diseases, Smithsonian Researchers Dust Bat Specimens for Viral Fingerprints

Smithsonian scientists utilize a new formula to extract fragile genetic data from bats collected decades ago

A giant replica of the Aedes mosquito, a known vector for the disease yellow fever, has been waiting for visitors to return the National Museum of Natural History’s “Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World” exhibit. (James Di Loreto, Smithsonian)

Don’t Miss These Objects When the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum Reopens

Whether you're a seasoned visitor or a newbie to the natural history museum, there are plenty of things for you to explore.

An artistic representation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. (NIAID)

Six Videos that Put the Pandemic in Context

These six video webinars explore the life cycle of modern outbreaks — from infection to immunity — and put COVID-19 into historical context.

Sabrina Sholts is the curator of biological anthropology at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. (Paul Fetters, Smithsonian)

Get to Know the Scientist Studying Ancient Pathogens at the Smithsonian

Check out what an ancient pathogen expert does at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

An illustration of the new coronavirus. Coronaviruses are named for the spikes on their outer surface, which look like points on a crown. (CDC)

‘One Health’ Could Prevent the Next Coronavirus Outbreak

An exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History puts the new coronavirus outbreak into context, showing how and why new viruses emerge and what we can do to stop them from spreading.

Meet the People Leading the Fight Against Pandemics

"Outbreak" highlights the faces and voices of the people who work to identify pathogens, respond to outbreaks, treat patients, and research cures—as well as those who have survived infection.

New Smithsonian Exhibit Spotlights "One Health" to Reduce Pandemic Risks

Sabrina Sholts, Curator of Physical Anthropology discusses her work on "Outbreak," an upcoming exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History that aims to raise public awareness about pandemic risks in order to decrease them.

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