Australian Museum's Chief Scientist Appointed to Lead Hawaii's Bishop Museum

On April 3, 2025, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Hawaii announced the appointment of Professor Kristofer Helgen as its new President and CEO. Helgen has served for five years as Chief Scientist and Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI) in Sydney, where he led a team of 120 researchers and collections staff while also conducting his own recognized scientific work. Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay, AO, expressed congratulations on Helgen's advancement to this leadership position at the Bishop Museum, noting it as a major institution in the Pacific region and expressing anticipation for future collaboration. Helgen's move marks a return to the United States, where he previously held the position of Chief Curator of Mammals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The transition represents a significant career development for Helgen, who has contributed to the growth of AMRI through his research and administrative guidance during his tenure.