Kim Shearer

Kim Shearer serves as the Director of Collections and Curator at The Morton Arboretum since October 2016, overseeing the living collections program, including curation and plant health care, and leading the Haerther Charitable Trust New Plant Development Program. Prior roles at the Arboretum include Curator of Collections and Manager of New Plant Development, and Tree and Shrub Breeder, focusing on developing plant species suited to the urban environments of the Chicagoland area. Previously, Kim gained research experience as a Graduate Research Assistant at Oregon State University, contributing to studies on plant genetics and hybridization, while also serving as a lecturer and teaching assistant. Academic achievements include a Master of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from Oregon State University and dual Bachelor's degrees in Horticultural Science and Plant Biology from North Carolina State University, alongside various roles in molecular systematics and plant care.