Retired Kodak Employee Discovers New Tardigrade Species in New York State
Jody DuBell, a volunteer at a New York nature center, discovered a previously unknown tardigrade species. The microscopic organism was named Mesocrista Ojagwaji in collaboration with the Seneca Nation.
An extraordinary scientific discovery proves that finding new life on Earth does not always require massive laboratories or multi-million dollar budgets. Jody DuBell, a retiree from the finance department of photography giant Kodak and a volunteer at the Cumming Nature Center in Naples, New York, has uncovered a completely new species of tardigrade—a microscopic, ultra-resilient organism that had previously escaped scientific detection.
A Discovery on a Familiar Trail
The discovery began about a year ago when DuBell collected a moss sample from a log near a walking trail she had traversed hundreds of times. Upon placing it under her microscope, alongside the usual bacteria and protozoa, she noticed a tardigrade—an eight-legged microscopic animal also known as a "moss piglet"—whose physical characteristics did not match any known species.
To officially validate the find, DuBell contacted Dr. Piotr Gąsiorek of the Jagiellonian University in Poland, a global expert in tardigrade biodiversity. Following a rigorous verification process lasting about a year, the organism was officially recognized as a new species.
Currently, approximately 1,500 tardigrade species are known worldwide. Prior to DuBell's research, only 12 species had been documented in New York State; her observations have now pushed that number to 27, led by this new discovery.
Nature's Most Resilient Creatures
Tardigrades measure only about one millimeter in length, yet they are considered among the most resilient animals in nature. Studies have proven their ability to survive extreme conditions:
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Complete dehydration and prolonged starvation;
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Immense atmospheric pressure;
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Boiling water and freezing temperatures.
In a famous 2007 experiment conducted during the Russian FOTON-M3 space mission, tardigrades were exposed to the vacuum of space for ten days. Upon their return to Earth and reintroduction to water, they revived completely.
Honoring Indigenous Roots
Rather than following conventional scientific naming practices or naming the species after herself, DuBell chose to honor the historical roots of the region. She consulted Jamie Jacobs, a member of the Seneca Nation, who helped formulate the scientific name Mesocrista Ojagwaji. The second word of the name is derived from the indigenous language, describing the unique spots on the organism's body.
Today, about 2 million animal and plant species are documented worldwide, but scientific estimates suggest millions more remain undiscovered, particularly in soil and the microscopic world. This New York discovery highlights the growing impact of "citizen science," where hobbyists and volunteers contribute directly to expanding biological knowledge.
DuBell shared with a smile:
"People always ask me why I didn't name the creature after myself. My answer is—why would I do that? It is much more exciting to collaborate with other people, involve them in the process, and create a real connection to the area."
