Arizona Research Collection for Integrative Vertebrate Education and Study is a research center within the College of Graduate Studies at Midwestern University.
ARCIVES pursues an integrative strategy for anatomical research to promote the understanding of vertebrate morphology and its applications to clinical medicine, conservation biology, and uses both functional and evolutionary biology approaches to understanding the diversity of vertebrate life.
This mission of ARCIVES falls squarely under the One Health Initiative of Midwestern University through promoting public awareness of the importance of global biodiversity, sustainability, and health for all species, the interaction of human and animal health, and its relevance to contemporary society through a number of research innovations:
- Active research on vertebrate morphology
- Clinical applications of vertebrate anatomy, particularly of exotic vertebrate species
- Contribution to conservation of endangered species
- Evolutionary foundations of vertebrate morphology
- Biomechanical adaptations of vertebrates to changing habitats
ARCIVES currently has wide diversity of vertebrate specimens available for research by students, faculty colleagues, and qualified off-campus scholars. Both soft tissue and skeletal specimens are available for study. For a detailed list of specimens, contact ARCIVES staff: arcives@midwestern.edu
ARCIVES research scientists are faculty members in the Division of Basic Sciences in the College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University. ARCIVES faculty and staff participate in a variety of outreach programs in local schools or organizations.
ACRIVES Outreach Activities
ARCIVES Booth at the 2018 March For Science - Science Fair:
ARCIVES displayed skulls of various vertebrate species to science fair attendees.
The ARCIVES booth was extremely popular with children and adults alike.
Arizona Renaissance Festival - Student Days:
ARCIVES staff brought our popular skull booth to the Arizona Renaissance Festival during their 'Student Days' event.
Experimental Biology - Educational Outreach Poster Session:
A poster presented at the 2018 Experimental Biology annual conference to display the educational, research, and outreach opportunities of ARCIVES.
BASIS Peoria High School - Science Fair:
ARCIVES specimens were on display to show students why it's important to study living vertebrates to understand extinct vertebrates, like dinosaurs!
Midwestern University - High School Career Day:
Skeletal Studies Workshop held on February 28th, 2018 for high school students in the greater Phoenix valley.
Coming this summer
AZSciTech STEM Expo at Arizona State University
A conference for promoting leadership in building STEM curriculum and interest in STEM careers (including health care) in Phoenix valley junior and senior high schools.