Busching/Morgan IECC Scholarship - 2026

Cincinnati Zoo • Cincinnati, OH

5d

About The Position

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s World of the Insect opened August 5th, 1978, and was the first zoo building in the United States designed and built specifically to display live terrestrial arthropods. Nearly 48 years later the World of the Insect is regarded as one of the best insect-zoos in the world. It displays a diverse collection of live terrestrial invertebrates, and its staff participates in invertebrate-related public engagement, education, and conservation initiatives.

Two entomologists, Milan Busching and Randy Morgan played integral roles in the World of the Insect’s success.

Milan Busching (1951-2022) was the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s first Curator of Invertebrates, a role he fulfilled from 1977 until 2002. In the 1980’s and 1990’s Milan was considered a leader in the burgeoning insect-zoo field and enthusiasts from across the country and around the world sought out his advice.

Randy Morgan was the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Curator of Invertebrates from 2002 until his retirement in 2013 and was a part of the World of the Insect for 32 years. Randy is credited with having wild-collected and working to establish several species in insect-zoo collections including Sunburst Diving Beetles, Giant Jumping Sticks and Peruvian Firesticks.

It is to honor Milan and Randy that the Busching/Morgan IECC Scholarship was created in 2023. This scholarship sends an aspiring tri-state entomologist to the Invertebrates in Education and Conservation Conference (IECC). This conference, held annually in Tucson, Arizona brings together people from across the entomological community to experience paper presentations, specialty workshops and field trips that are blended together to create a one-of-a-kind curriculum. Topics covered typically include (but are not limited to):
Terrestrial invertebrate husbandry.
The design and operation of insect zoos, butterfly houses and other invertebrate exhibitions.
Education programs that utilize invertebrate animals.
Regulatory issues.
Conservation initiatives and programs that focus on terrestrial invertebrates.

It is our hope that by attending the IECC an aspiring entomologist will have their passion for entomology strengthened, build connections across the entomological community, and identify potential career paths.
The Busching/Morgan IECC Scholarship will cover.
IECC 2026 registration, one workshop and one field trip
Round-trip airfare to Tucson, Arizona
Transportation while at the conference
Lodging at the conference host resort
Meals and beverages (non-alcoholic)

Requirements

• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of application.
• Have a passion for, and a demonstrable interest in the study, zoological display, educational use and/or conservation of terrestrial invertebrates.
• Live in Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky.
• Submit a letter explaining why they would like to attend the IECC.
• Provide one letter of recommendation.
• Be attending the IECC for the first time.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees