Myra Keen

Myra Keen (1905-1986) was an American malacologist, a zoologist who specialized in the study of mollusks. She was a prominent figure in the field of paleontology and invertebrate zoology, known particularly for her work on the molluscan fauna of the Eastern Pacific region.

Keen obtained her Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1934. She spent the majority of her career at Stanford, serving as Curator of Paleontology at the Stanford University Geological Survey from 1926 until her retirement in 1970. After retiring, she was made Curator Emerita.

Her most significant contribution was the publication of "Sea Shells of Tropical West America: Marine Mollusks from Baja California to Peru," a comprehensive and widely used guide for identifying mollusks in the region. First published in 1958, a second, revised, and expanded edition was published in 1971, becoming a standard reference work for both amateur shell collectors and professional malacologists. The book featured detailed descriptions, illustrations, and keys for identification.

Beyond her major publication, Keen authored numerous scientific papers and articles on mollusks, contributing significantly to the understanding of their taxonomy, distribution, and evolution. Her research had a lasting impact on the study of marine mollusks, and her work continues to be consulted by researchers today. She also described several new species of mollusks.