
Dr. Fitzhugh joined the staff in 1990. His research interests are mainly focused on the systematics and evolutionary biology of a family of polychaetes known as 'fan worms,' as well as the philosophical foundations of phylogenetic systematics. Dr. Fitzhugh has also conducted extensive research at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Leslie Harris has worked with the polychaete collection since 1988. Ms. Harris is an eminent authority on the marine flora and fauna of California, and has been instrumental in the acquisition of major private polychaete collections for the Museum. She is one of the founders of the Southern California Association of Marine Invertebrate Taxonomists.