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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Scott Miller

Senior Biodiversity Advisor, Senior Research Entomologist, and Curator of Lepidoptera
Department / Division
Entomology
Education
  • BS California at Santa Barbara 
  • PhD Harvard
Research Interests

Scott Miller has long led research and collections programs, with a focus on mobilizing information from museum collections, and his research focuses on the integration of systematics, ecology, biogeography and conservation of insects and plants.  

He is currently Senior Biodiversity Advisor and Senior Research Entomologist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.  He previously held a series of leadership positions in the Smithsonian Institution's central administration, including Deputy Under Secretary for Collections and Interdisciplinary Support and Deputy Under Secretary for Science, and served as Associate Director for Science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park and Interim Director of Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. Before coming to the Smithsonian, Miller held leadership positions at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya, and the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is co-chair of the US Government’s Interagency Working Group on Scientific Collections and is active in the development of other scientific infrastructure, including Mpala Research Centre, Kenya. He helped establish and lead the Consortium for the Barcode of Life - an international network developing DNA-based identification tools to make biodiversity information more widely available.

His current research uses museum-based taxonomy and systematics to mobilize biodiversity information to empower ecology, conservation, and agriculture, including demonstration of efficient workflows and/or new technologies to improve mobilization of biodiversity information, with a focus on the information-rich collection of moths (Lepidoptera) in NMNH. Major current themes are:

  • Moth systematics, biogeography and phylogenomics, including Dalceridae, Geometridae, and other families.
  • Insect food web and ecology projects in Papua New Guinea, Kenya and elsewhere, aimed at understanding tri-trophic interactions among plants, insect herbivores and their parasites, and the assembly rules for these communities.
  • Building DNA reference libraries from museum vouchers for immediate use in ecological and other projects, iteratively building global resources, and demonstrating workflows for scaling future projects.  Collaborating in developing methods for the use of the libraries in ecological and monitoring projects, including through metabarcoding and Malaise trap programs.
Publications
Journal Article
Book Chapter
  • Miller, Scott E. and Holloway, Jeremy D. 2022. "A New Species of Asota from New Guinea." In Aganainae of the World (Lepidoptera, Erebidae). Zwier, H. H., editor. 295–296. Munich, Germany: Museum Witt.
  • Onyia, Christie O., Ilo, Obianuju P., and Miller, Scott E. 2022. "Legal Standards Setting in the Use of Forensics/DNA Barcode: Evidence for Wildlife Crime Detection and Prosecution in Nigeria." In Medical Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutics, Forensic Science and Bioinformatics. Ubi, Benjamin Ewa, editor. 1–15. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. In Multidisciplinary Applications and Advances in Biotechnology: Contributions from the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria Working Groups, 3. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003178903-4.
  • Bechtol, Nancy and Miller, Scott E. 2015. "Foreword." In Proceedings of the Smithsonian Institution Summit on the Museum Preservation Environment. Stauderman, Sarah and Tompkins, William G., editors. vii–ix. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press. In A Smithsonian Contribution to Knowledge.
  • Miller, Scott E. 2014. "DNA barcoding in floral and faunal research." In Descriptive taxonomy: The foundation of biodiversity research. Watson, M. F.;Lyal, C.; Pendry, C. ed. 296–311. Cambridge University Press. 84 in Systematics Association Special Volume.
  • Novotny, Vojtech, Weiblen, George D., Miller, Scott E., and Basset, Yves. 2012. "The role of paraecologists in Twenty-first-century tropical forest research." In Methods in forest canopy research. Lowman, Margaret D., Schowalter, Timothy D., and Franklin, Jerry F., editors. 154–157. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • Schindel, David E. and Miller, Scott E. 2010. "Provisional nomenclature: the on-ramp to taxonomic names." In Systema Naturae 250: the Linnaean ark. Polaszek, Andrew, editor. 109–115. Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, London & New York: CRC Press.
  • Miller, Scott E. 2007. "Insects of Papua." In The ecology of Papua. Marshall, Andrew J. and Beehler, Bruce McP, editors. 515–531. Singapore: Periplus.
  • Becker, Vitor O. and Miller, Scott E. 2005. "Moths: Lepidoptera." In Island: Fact and theory in nature.. Lazell, J. D., editor. 303–309. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
  • Schindel, David E. and Miller, Scott E. 2005. "DNA barcoding and the Consortium for the Barcode of Life." In Success Stories in Implementation of the Programmes of Work on Dry and Sub-Humid Lands and the Global Taxonomy Initiative.. 144–146. Montreal: Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
  • Lwande, Wilber, Miller, Scott E., Rogo, Lucie M., Bagine, Richard K. N., and Mukonyi, K. W. 2004. "An integrated package for the conservation of the Kakamega Forest." In ICIPE Annual Scientific Report 2002-2003. Ng'eny-Mengech, Annalee, editor. 145–151. Nairobi: ICIPE.
  • Basset, Yves, Hammond, Peter M., Barrios, Hector, Holloway, Jeremy D., and Miller, Scott E. 2003. "Vertical Stratification of Arthropod Assemblages." In Arthropods of Tropical Forests: Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Resource Use in the Canopy. Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L., editors. 17. Cambridge University Press.
  • Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L. 2003. "Canopy entomology, an expanding field of natural science." In Arthropods of tropical forests: Spatio-temporal dynamics and resource use in the canopy. Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L., editors. 4–6. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L. 2003. "Methodological Advances and Limitations in Canopy Entomology." In Arthropods of Tropical Forests: Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Resource Use in the Canopy. Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L., editors. 7. Cambridge University Press.
  • Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L. 2003. "Preface." In Arthropods of Tropical Forests: Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Resource Use in the Canopy. Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L., editors. xv–xvi. Cambridge University Press.
  • Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L. 2003. "Conclusion: Arthropods, canopies and interpretable patterns." In Arthropods of tropical forests: Spatio-temporal dynamics and resource use in the canopy. Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, Miller, Scott E., and Kitching, Roger L., editors. 394–405. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Miller, Scott E. 2002. "Statement of Scott Miller, Chairman, Department of Systematic Biology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC." In Invasive species: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, second session, October 2, 2002. Department Operations Oversight Nutrition and Forestry, editor. 12–22. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. United States.Congress.House.Committee on Agriculture. Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Miller, Scott E., Novotny, Vojtech, and Basset, Yves. 2002. "Case studies of arthropod diversity and distribution." In Foundations of tropical forest biology: Classic papers with commentaries. Chazdon, Robin L. and Whitmore, T. C., editors. 407–413. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  • Rogo, Lucie M., Lwande, Wilber, Chapya, Andrew, Herren, Hans R., and Miller, Scott E. 2001. "An integrated conservation initiative to conserve Kakamega forest and its biodiversity." In Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Diversity and Human Welfare (Supplement). Proceedings of the International Conference of Tropical Ecosystems. Ganeshaiah, K. N., Shaanker, R. Uma, and Bawa, K. S., editors. 56–60. Bangalore: ATREE.
  • Allison, Allen and Miller, Scott E. 2000. "Hawaii Biological Survey: Museum resources in support of conservation." In Nature and human society: The quest for a sustainable world. Proceedings of the 1997 forum on biodiversity. Raven, Peter H. and Williams, Tania, editors. 281–290. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
  • Basset, Yves, Novotny, Vojtech, and Miller, Scott E. 2000. "Studying host and microhabitat use by arthropods in tropical rain forest canopies: issues & perspectives [abstract]." In XXI International Congress of Entomology Abstracts. Gazzoni, Decio Luiz, editor. 902. Londrina, Brasil: Embrapa Soja.
  • Miller, Scott E. 2000. "Biodiversity studies at Mpala Research Centre: Inventory of moths (Lepidoptera)." In 1998-1999 ICIPE Annual Scientific Report. Ng'eny-Mengech, A., editor. 166–167. Nairobi: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
  • Miller, Scott E. 2000. "African Arthropod Biodiversity: Gaining Knowledge for Utilisation and Conservation." In 1998-1999 ICIPE Annual Scientific Report. Ng'eny-Mengech, A., editor. 160–180. Nairobi: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
  • Miller, Scott E. 2000. "Keynote address: Taxonomy for understanding biodiversity - the strengths of the BioNet International model." In Proceedings of the Second BioNet-International Global Workshop (BIGW2). Jones, Tecwyn and Gallagher, Simon, editors. 13–18. Egham, Surrey, England: BioNet International.
  • Miller, Scott E., Gemmell, Barbara, Herren, Hans R., Rogo, Lucie, and Allen, Melody. 2000. "Biodiversity of terrestrial invertebrates in tropical Africa: assessing the needs and plan of action." In Nature and human society: the quest for a sustainable world. Raven, Peter H. and Williams, Tania, editors. 204–212. National Academy Press.
  • Weiblen, George D., Novotny, Vojtech, Basset, Yves, and Miller, Scott E. 2000. "Insect herbivores as predictors of plant phylogeny: examples from New Guinea Ficus [abstract]." In XXI International Congress of Entomology Abstracts. Gazzoni, Decio Luiz, editor. 144. Londrina, Brasil: Embrapa Soja.
  • Novotny, Vojtech, Basset, Yves, Samuelson, G. A., and Miller, Scott E. 1999. "Host use by chrysomelid beetles feeding on Moraceae and Euphorbiaceae in New Guinea." In Advances in Chrysomelidae Biology 1. Cox, M. L., editor. 343–360. Leiden: Backhuys Publishers b.v.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1998. "Taxa group summary: Insects/terrestrial invertebrates." In The Irian Jaya Biodiversity Conservation Priority-Setting Workshop: Final Report. Burnett, John Burke, editor. 46–47. Washington, D.C.: Conservation International.
  • Novotny, Vojtech, Basset, Yves, Miller, Scott E., Allison, Allen, Samuelson, G. Allan, and Orsak, Larry. 1998. "The diversity of tropical insect herbivores: An approach to collaborative international research in Papua New Guinea." In Taxonomy and Biodiversity in East Asia: Proceedings of International Conference on Taxonomy and Biodiversity Conservation in East Asia. Lee, B. H., Choe, Jae Chun, and Han, H. Y., editors. 112–125. Chonju, Korea: Korean Biodiversity Council and Korean Institute for Biodiversity Research. In KIBIO Series 2.
  • Allison, Allen, Samuelson, G. A., and Miller, Scott E. 1997. "Patterns of beetle species diversity in Castanopsis acuminatissima (Fagaceae) trees studied with canopy fogging in mid-montane New Guinea rainforest." In Canopy arthropods. Stork, Nigel E., Adis, Joachim A., and Didham, R. K., editors. 224–236. London: Chapman & Hall.
  • Miller, Scott E., Nishida, Gordon M., and Evenhuis, Neal L. 1997. "Preface." In Insular evolution, speciation, and revision of the Hawaiian genus Nesiomiris (Hemiptera: Miridae). Gagne, Wayne C., editor. v–vi. In Bishop Museum Bulletins in Entomology 7: x + 226.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1996. "Biogeography of Pacific insects and other terrestrial invertebrates: a status report." In The origin and evolution of Pacific Island biotas, New Guinea to eastern Polynesia: Patterns and processes. Keast, Allen and Miller, Scott E., editors. 463–475. Amsterdam: SPB Academic Publishing bv.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1996. "A history of entomological exploration on Santa Rosa Island." In Island of the cowboys: Santa Rosa Island. Allen, Kerry Blankenship, editor. 193–200. Santa Barbara, California: Santa Cruz Island Foundation.
  • Allison, Allen, Miller, Scott E., and Nishida, Gordon M. 1995. "Hawaii Biological Survey." In Our living resources: a report to the nation on the distribution, abundance and health of U. S. plants, animals, and ecosystems. LaRoe, E. T. et al, editor. 362. Washington, D. C.: National Biological Survey.
  • Gielis, Cees and Miller, Scott E. 1995. "Family Pterophoridae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 2. Heppner, John B., editor. 106–109. Gainesville: Association for Tropical Lepidoptera.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1995. "Family Dalceridae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 2. Heppner, John B., editor. 127–128. Gainesville: Association for Tropical Lepidoptera.
  • Allison, Allen, Miller, Scott E., and Nishida, Gordon M. 1994. "Hawaii Biological Survey: a model for the Pacific region." In Marine and Coastal Biodiversity in the Tropical Island Pacific Region. Volume 1. Species Systematics and Information Management Priorities. Maragos, James E., editor. 349–355. Honolulu: East-West Center.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1994. "Biosystematic centres statements: Bishop Museum." In Proceedings of the First BioNET-INTERNATIONAL Consultation, London, June 1993. Jones, T. and Cook, M. A., editors. 31–32. Wallingford: CAB International.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1994. "Insects of the California Channel Islands: Status of systematic and biogeographic knowledge." In The Fourth California Islands Symposium: Update on the status of resources. Abstracts. Halvorson, W. L. and Maender, G. J., editors. 24. Santa Barbara, California: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1994. "Development of World Identification Services: Networking." In Identification and characterization of pest organisms. Hawksworth, D. L., editor. 69–80. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1991. "Introduction to the symposium: Evolution in island archipelagos: The emerging picture." In The unity of evolutionary biology: Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of Systematic and Evolutionary Biology. Dudley, E. C., editor. 265–266. Portland, Oregon: Dioscorides Press.
  • Miller, Scott E. and Holloway, Jeremy D. 1991. "Priorities for conservation research in Papua New Guinea: Non-marine invertebrates." In Conservation and environment in Papua New Guinea: Establishing research priorities. Pearl, Mary, Beehler, Bruce McP, Allison, Allen, and Taylor, Meg, editors. 44–58. Washington, D.C. and New York: Embassy of Papua New Guinea and Wildlife Conservation International.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1989. "Foreword." In Catalog of Diptera of the Australian and Oceanic Region. Evenhuis, Neal L., editor. 9. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1989. "Foreword." In Catalog of the Diptera of the Australasian and Oceanian Regions. Evenhuis, N. L., editor. 9. Honolulu;Leiden: Bishop Museum Press;E.J. Brill. In Bishop Museum Special Publication (86).
  • Miller, Scott E. 1986. "Systematic paleontology: Class Insecta." In Holocene vertebrate fossils from Isla Floreana, Galápagos. Steadman, David W., editor. 37–38. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. In Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 413.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1985. "The California Channel Islands--Past, present, and future: an entomological perspective." In Entomology of the California Channel Islands: Proceedings of the First Symposium. Menke, Arnold S. and Miller, Douglass R., editors. 3–27. Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
  • Miller, Scott E. and Miller, Pamela Mercer. 1985. "Beetles of Santa Barbara Island, California (Coleoptera)." In Entomology of the California Channel Islands: Proceedings of the First Symposium. Menke, Arnold S. and Miller, Douglass R., editors. 121–136. Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
  • Davis, Donald R. and Miller, Scott E. 1984. "Gracillariidae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 1. Heppner, John B., editor. 25–27. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk Publishers.
  • Davis, Donald R. and Miller, Scott E. 1984. "Lyonetiidae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 1. Heppner, John B., editor. 25. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk Publishers.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1984. "Alucitidae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 1. Heppner, John B., editor. 54. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk Publishers.
  • Miller, Scott E. and Reynolds, Richard L. 1978. "Pleistocene dermestid beetle damage in Equus conversidens bones from caves in California and Mexico." In Southern California Academy of Sciences, Annual Meeting, May 5-6, 1978, Occidental College, Abstracts. 12. Los Angeles, California: Southern California Academy of Sciences.
Dataset
Book
  • Adamski, David, Copeland, Robert S., Miller, Scott E., Hebert, Paul D. N., Darrow, Karolyn, and Luke, Quentin. 2010. A review of African Blastobasinae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Coleophoridae), with new taxa reared from native fruits in Kenya. In Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 630. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.630.
  • Krupnik, Igor, Lang, Michael A., and Miller, Scott E., editors. 2009. Smithsonian at the poles: contributions to International Polar Year science. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.097884601X.0.
  • Chitwood, D. J., Diaz-Soltero, H., Hoberg, E. P., Miller, Scott E., Millsop, S., Reynolds, R., Rosenthal, B. M., Rossman, A. Y., Sitnik, M., and Solis, M. Alma. 2008. Protecting America's economy, environment, health, and security against invasive species requires a strong Federal program in Systematic Biology. Beltsville, Maryland: Systematic Subcommittee, Federal Interagency Committee on Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens (ITAP).
  • Basset, Yves, Kitching, Roger L., Miller, Scott E., and Novotny, Vojtech, editors. 2003. Arthropods of Tropical Forests: Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Resource Use in the Canopy. Cambridge University Press.
  • Kushlan, J. A., Steinkamp, M. J., Parsons, K. C., Capp, J., Cruz, M. A., Coulter, M., Davidson, Ian C., Dickson, L., Edelson, N., Elliot, R., Erwin, R. M., Hatch, S., Kress, S., Mildko, R., Miller, Scott E., Mills, K., Paul, R., Phillips, R., Siliva, J. E., Sydeman, B., Trapp, J., Wheeler, J., and Wohl, K. 2002. Waterbird conservation for the Americas: the North American waterbird conservation plan, Version 1. Washington, D.C.: Waterbird Conservation for the Americas.
  • Holloway, Jeremy D., Kibby, Geoffrey, Peggie, Djunijanti, Carter, David, and Miller, Scott E. 2001. The Families of Malesian Moths and Butterflies. Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers. In Fauna Malesia Handbooks.
  • Lyons, Elizabeth E. and Miller, Scott E. 2000. Invasive Species in Eastern Africa: Proceedings of a Workshop Held at ICIPE, July 5-6, 1999.
  • Evenhuis, Neal L. and Miller, Scott E., editors. 1998. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1997. Honolulu. In Bishop Museum Occasional Papers, 55.
  • Miller, Scott E., Ubaidillah, Rosichon, Peggie, Djunijanti, Yaku, Alexander, Polhemus, Dan A., and Polhemus, John T. 1998. Insects of the PT Freeport Indonesia contract of work mining and project area, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Jakarta: P.T. Freeport Indonesia. In Biodiversity Study Series, Vol. 11.
  • Evenhuis, Neal L. and Miller, Scott E., editors. 1997. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1996. In Bishop Museum Occasional Papers.
  • Sekhran, Nikhil and Miller, Scott E., editors. 1996. Papua New Guinea Country Study on Biological Diversity. Waigani, Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea Department of Environment and Conservation.
  • Evenhuis, Neal L. and Miller, Scott E., editors. 1996. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1995. Part 1: Articles. In Bishop Museum Occasional Papers, 45.
  • Keast, Allen and Miller, Scott E., editors. 1996. The origin and evolution of Pacific Island biotas, New Guinea to eastern Polynesia: Patterns and processes. Amsterdam: SPB Academic Publishing bv.
  • Evenhuis, Neal L. and Miller, Scott E., editors. 1996. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1995. Part 2: Notes. In Bishop Museum Occasional Papers, 46.
Report
Abstract
  • Miller, Scott E. 2000. "Challenges and opportunities in understanding and utilizing African insect diversity." .
  • Miller, Scott E. 1996. "Advances in the phylogenetic study of the Zygaenoidea." .
  • Miller, Scott E. 1980. "Fossil Coleoptera from Late Pleistocene asphalt deposits of Southern California." .
  • Miller, Scott E. 1979. "Butterflies of the California Islands: A progress report." , 40.
  • Miller, Scott E. 1979. "Pleistocene insects of the Rancho La Brea and other California asphalt deposits." .