Hello BID Community!  My name is Laura Russell I work for both VertNet, http://vertnet.org, (at University of Kansas, my physical location) and for iDigBio, http://idigbio.org, (at University of Florida, my virtual location).  

Since September 2008, I have been providing data cleaning and data publishing support, including software installation and configuration, to institutions with biodiversity specimen collections to bring them into the vertebrate collections network (VertNet) and more recently into Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio). 

Through VertNet and iDigBio, I have maintained a close relationship with GBIF to ensure accessibility to data as well as serving as the VertNet Node Manager to GBIF. 

I'm invested in working with all groups to improve the quality of data and advance the technological infrastructures for sharing and using data online for research.  Through outreach activities and mentorship, I hope to share my knowledge and VertNet's and iDigBio’s experiences with developing groups in the interest of growing the content and quality of biodiversity information online.

I look forward to working with you.

Regards,

Laura