Dr. W. Scott Persons

Dr. W. Scott Persons is the new Curator of Natural History at the South Carolina State Museum, where he leads research and collection initiatives in natural history, with a focus on paleontology. He brings a deep commitment to sharing scientific stories with the public through exhibitions, publications, programs, and the RTE project. Scott holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in Evolution and Systematics from the University of Alberta, along with a bachelor’s degree in Geology/Biology from Macalester College. Prior to joining the museum, he served as Curator and Assistant Professor at the College of Charleston’s Mace Brown Museum of Natural History for six years and held multiple roles in exhibition curation. His blend of academic excellence, research leadership, and passion for public engagement will enrich the museum’s mission and educational outreach.