Our Experts 1
Smithsonian Journeys Experts are scholars from around the world who have an in-depth understanding of their fields, whether it’s history and culture, the fine arts, geology, or the natural world. They are eager to share their passion, knowledge, and insights about the places you visit together—through fascinating lectures and during casual conversations over a meal or on tour. Our travelers continue to tell us that our experts are a major reason they come back to Smithsonian Journeys again and again. Meet some of our experts below, and visit our website to learn more about them.
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Now in his twenty-seventh season, Keith Lockhart has served as conductor of the Boston Pops since 1995. Keith is also the artistic director of the Brevard Music Center summer institute and festival, continuing a relationship that began as a student there, nearly 50 years ago. Keith will join our Symphony on the St. Lawrence cruise—see page 24—and read our interview with him on the opposite page. 1
Franklin Knight is professor emeritus of history at Johns Hopkins University, where he focused on Latin America and Caribbean culture and politics. He has been a visiting lecturer at many universities throughout Spain, and has been featured on NPR, the BBC, and several television programs. Franklin will join our Cruising Southern Spain and Portugal voyage—see page 21— and Cruising the Caribbean’s Windward Islands—see page 30.
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2 Steven Paton has spent over 30 years in Panama working with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). His work includes managing STRI’s long-term climate and physical oceanographic monitoring programs, documenting Panama’s biodiversity, and studying the impacts of severe drought on mangroves. Steven will join our Panama and Costa Rica by Sea cruise—see page 28. 3
Gillian Hovell is an ancient historian and an archaeologist who is actively involved in digs at major sites, including Orkney’s famous Ness of Brodgar Neolithic site. She lectures at the British Museum in London and at York University, and is a published author. Gillian will join our Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage—see page 10. 4
Michelle Thaller is an astrophysicist with over two decades of science communication experience. Her research involves the life cycles of stars, and she has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center. She has appeared in many television science programs, has given TEDx talks, and has hosted a public radio podcast. Michelle will join Antarctica: The White Continent—see page 33. 4
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