Paula Summerly, MSc, PhD

Paula Summerly, PhD, joined the Provost’s Office in September 2021. Paula serves as the curator of the Old Red Medical Museum and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pathology who reports to Scott Hermstein, Assistant Vice President, Faculty Group Practice.   

Paula has over a decade of academic experience in the history of medicine. She has researched and curated exhibitions on both sides of the North Atlantic including the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow and Northwestern University, Chicago. She has also served as a curatorial consultant for the Wellcome Collection, London for several exhibitions including Forensics: The Anatomy of Crime.  

Paula holds a doctorate in the history of medicine from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She has published peer-reviewed articles, delivered conference papers, and taken part in local history activities (e.g., Galveston Unscripted podcast). Paula was invited to serve as Chair of the 2024 Programming Committee for LAMPHHS (Librarians, Archivists and Museum Professionals in the History of Health Sciences).  

When Paula is not developing a new medical museum, undertaking research, managing and conserving the historical collections, leading tour of Old Red, Paula enjoys learning about the history of photography.