The Diatom Section of the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History houses a research collection of diatoms that is worldwide in scope, with particular strengthes in North America, Asia, and Africa.
Research in the Diatom Section focuses on important questions of taxonomy and ecology of diatoms, as well as examining questions about evolution, biogeography, phylogenetics, and fossil taxa. Researchers collaborate with colleagues at the United States Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, California Academy of Sciences, and other organizations across the U.S. to add to the body of knowledge about diatoms and develop new tools for diatom research.