Chicago City Wire

Pink and black walls frame an exhibition detailing the diverse life of a snake scientist. The "Changing Face of Science" exhibition features visual media that illustrate the multifaceted life of Dr. Ruane. Her interests include reptiles, fashion, training poodles, and collecting epiphytic plants and orchids.

Visitors can learn about Ruane's journey from her childhood exploration of reptiles with her grandparents to her discovery of new snake species through DNA sequencing. Dr. Ruane expresses her hopes that the exhibition will encourage others to embrace their unique qualities, stating: "You do not need to compromise who you are; you should be able to be whoever it is that you are and still be treated as an equal peer in science, and you shouldn’t compromise who you are to try to fit into these archaic stereotypes."

A notable part of the exhibition is the display of two offices. One represents Dr. Ruane's vibrant desk, and the other is a reconstruction of her predecessor Karl P. Schmidt's office. Schmidt was the Assistant Curator of Herpetology at the Field Museum in 1925. The display highlights the evolution of the curator's role, showcasing aspects like public outreach, student mentoring, and advanced techniques such as XCT scanning.

The exhibition, included with basic admission, invites visitors to meet Dr. Ruane at the Grainger Science Hub on April 11 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The ongoing "Changing Face of Science" series began in 2022 with a spotlight on the late Lynika Strozier, a young Black scientist who passed away from COVID in 2020. This initiative is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant award #MA-249085-OMS-21.

For interviews, additional information, or image access, contact press@fieldmuseum.org.