Auburn University Museum of Natural History

I have been involved with the AUMNH since my freshman year, and in this time I have worked in three different departments: the Live Animal Collections, Outreach Department, and Entomology Collections. My hard work at the museum was recognized when I was awarded the AUMNH 2022 Volunteer of the Year award. I am so grateful for my time at the museum because without it I would have never discovered three new passions of mine: herpetology, natural history, and sharing science with the public. Please continue scrolling to learn more about my roles in each department.

Live Animal Collections

Allison Sharp with a Pine Snake

Here I am holding Grandpa the Pine Snake. Sometimes if a snake is too far back in their enclosure, we have to use a snake hook to get them out for cage cleaning.

Allison Sharp feeding an Axolotl

One of my favorite things to do at the LAC is feed Toothless the Axolotl some bloodworms!

Allison Sharp with a Tortoise

Here I am giving lots of kisses to Tinkerbell the Tortoise!

Allison Sharp with a Pine Snake

Here I am holding Grandpa the Pine Snake. Sometimes if a snake is too far back in their enclosure, we have to use a snake hook to get them out for cage cleaning.

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I first became involved with the AUMNH my freshman year when I began volunteering in the Live Animal Collections. At the LAC, volunteers feed, water, clean, and habituate our animal ambassadors to human touch. The LAC boasts a collection of over 50 reptiles, amphibians, and fish, including species such as a boa constrictor, blue tongued skink, eastern box turtle, and axolotl. Some of my most cherished college memories were made taking care of our animals in the LAC, and working here has sparked my passion for reptiles and amphibians!. At the beginning of my junior year, I asked the LAC manager for more responsibility and was promoted to Student Coordinator. In this position, I recruit, train, and schedule new volunteers. I now coordinate 12 volunteers and have doubled our numbers since this time last year. I am thankful beyond words for the LAC, as it has shaped me into the woman and scientist I am today.

Outreach Department

My sophomore year, I reached out to the AUMNH Outreach Coordinator and began working with her collection of outreach animals. After a few months of volunteering, I was hired as her assistant. In this role, I provided animal husbandry for her animal ambassadors and edited outreach videos that were sent to schools across the state in lieu of in-person outreach due to the pandemic. I also got experience performing duties around the office such as faxing documents, organizing files, and sending mail. While I have stepped away from my job as an assistant, I still work with the OD performing outreach for the public. In the pictures to the right, you can see me working an earring sale fundraiser with our animal ambassador Patches the corn snake.

Allison Sharp smiling with Patches the corn snake

Me and Patches the corn snake. Corn snakes got their name because of the maize-like pattern on their underbelly.

Allison Sharp and Patches at our booth on the concourse

Here is me and Patches proudly displaying our booth on the concourse, where we sold recycled earrings as a fundraiser for the AUMNH

Allison Sharp doing outreach with Patches for a group of Auburn students

Here I am performing outreach for some fellow Auburn students with Patches. For many students, this was the first time they ever held a snake!

Allison Sharp smiling with Patches the corn snake

Me and Patches the corn snake. Corn snakes got their name because of the maize-like pattern on their underbelly.

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Entomology Collections

Pinned insect tray

Here are some specimens I pinned!

Pinned insect tray

Here are some specimens I pinned!

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I currently work in the AUMNH Entomology Collections, where most of my time is spent pinning QR code labels to our pinned insect collection. These labels provide collection data for each insect, such as where they were collected, when, with which collection method, and by whom. I also input this label data into our AUMNH database, so researchers can use our data for their projects. I have greatly enjoyed this role, as it has taught me that there is much more to a museum that meets the eye. The point of a research museum, such as the AUMNH, is not just to educate the public, but to also accumulate collections, data, and DNA to be shared with researchers around the world.

Working with Native Venomous Snakes Workshop

The summer of 2021, I attended the WNVS Workshop put on by Auburn alumnus and famed herpetologist Jimmy Stiles. At this overnight workshop, I learned valuable and life-saving skills such as venomous snake and mimic identification, what equipment and protective gear is needed to properly handle and house venomous snakes, and handling techniques. I also learned first aid for venomous snake bites and practiced the proper handling techniques on nonvenomous snakes. In the picture to the right, you can see me smiling proudly after tubing an eastern indigo snake. I had the time of my life at this workshop learning about my favorite animals and getting closer to my local herpetology community.

Allison Sharp with an eastern indigo snake she tubed

Here I am after tubing an eastern indigo snake. Tubing is vital for handling venomous snakes because it allows the handler to view the snake up close without fear of being biten

Allison Sharp using a snake hook to move a cottonmouth

Me using a snake hook to move a cottonmouth from the floor to the bucket. I can now say that I have safely handled a venomous snake!

Allison Sharp with an eastern indigo snake she tubed

Here I am after tubing an eastern indigo snake. Tubing is vital for handling venomous snakes because it allows the handler to view the snake up close without fear of being biten

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COSAM's Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity

Green, Grow, Give Event Graphic

Here is the graphic for my first event as a COSAM OIED Student Ambassador!

Green, Grow, Give Event Graphic

Here is the graphic for my first event as a COSAM OIED Student Ambassador!

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As of April 2022, I have been accepted into the College of Science and Math Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity's Student Ambassador program! The COSAM OIED Student Ambassadors seek to make Auburn’s campus a better place for ALL students by empowering those underrepresented in STEM fields. As a Student Ambassador, I help perform OIED services and programs to create an inclusive student community for all. I also help cultivate the next generation of scientists and leaders by encouraging interest in STEM fields for students grades K-12. As a queer woman in STEM, I am so proud that I am a part of such an important organization that is working to right the inequities seen in STEM.

Honors College

I have been a member of Auburn University's Honors College since my freshman year. I was one of a hundred students that participated in the 2019 K(no)w Poverty Week of Service. During our Week of Service, we volunteered at various organizations in the Auburn community, such as the Salvation Army, Tallapoosa Girls Ranch, and Storybook Farms. In the picture to the right, you can see me and my fellow honors students smiling after a long day of painting fences at the Tallapoosa Girls Ranch. As of this semester, I have completed all of my honors college requirements and will be graduating with honors in December of 2023.

Honors students resting after painting fences

Here I am resting with my fellow honors college students after painting fences at the Tallapoosa Girls Ranch

Honors students resting after painting fences

Here I am resting with my fellow honors college students after painting fences at the Tallapoosa Girls Ranch

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Aubie ziplining with an Auburn student

Aubie ziplining with an Auburn student at the 2020 Fall Fling, an event I helped create

Aubie ziplining with an Auburn student

Aubie ziplining with an Auburn student at the 2020 Fall Fling, an event I helped create

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University Program Council

I was a member of the University Program Council during the 2020-2021 school year. As a member of the Tiger Nights committee, I helped put on events that provided Auburn students with a safe and sober choice for fun. I assisted in putting on the fall carnival, roller skating night, spikeball tournament, and retro arcade night. I am grateful for my time with UPC because it taught me how to be a better event planner, customer service representative, and friend to all on campus.

Red Mountain Animal Clinic

I began volunteering at RMAC the summer of 2018, where I learned valuable skills such as protective holds, taking blood, and prepping animals for surgery. At the end of the summer, I was offered a paid, permanent position at the clinic. As a veterinary technician, I drew up and administered shots, gave anesthesia, performed x-rays, placed catheters, and assisted in surgery. I continued working at RMAC until I moved to Auburn full time at the end of the summer of 2020. While I am no longer considering going to veterinary school, I am very thankful for my time spent at RMAC. Working in a veterinary clinic taught me how to think on my feet and trust my gut, as well as giving me a foundation in animal care.

Allison Sharp with a cat that just woke up from anesthesia

Nigel the cat giving me kisses after waking up from his neuter.