The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) paleoanthropologist and assistant curator of human origins Dr. Emma Finestone was recently awarded the Robert J. and Linnet E. Fritz Endowed Chair of Human Origins.

In March, the museum announced a $3 million gift from Robert “Bob” and Linnet Fritz, which funds the endowed chair, supports its Transforming the World Of Discovery campaign, and sponsors the museum's exhibit of Australopithecus afarensis fossil Lucy. 

CMNH hosted its first chairing ceremony in 21 years when Finestone’s chair began in April.

Dr. Emma Finestone in the field in Kenya last summerFinestone uses archaeological fieldwork to investigate adaptive shifts in the human lineage that relate to the early manufacture and use of stone tools. she is on the CMNH team that conducts research in 11 scientific disciplines, publishes findings in peer-reviewed journals, and brings the work back to the museum to share with the public.

Since joining the museum in 2022, Finestone was awarded a research grant from the Leakey Foundation, led research studies that were published in the journal PLOS One and the Journal of Human Evolution, and conducted field research in western Kenya. 

Finestone was part of the group of scientists in Nyayanga, Kenya who discovered some of the oldest stone tools ever found. 

In 2023, Finestone co-authored a study on this discovery—considered one of the top discoveries in science and human evolution—hat was published in the Journal Science.

The Fritz gift was inspired by Bob Fritz’ longstanding interest in the natural sciences and motivated by a desire to give back to the community. “My interest in human origins goes way back. It has always intrigued me, and I have sought to learn more about it over time,” he said in a statement. “Making this gift means that Linnet and I will truly make a difference in the field of anthropology. And to make this investment right here in Cleveland, at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, makes this gift even more meaningful to us.”