The Smithsonian's rich and vast collections differentiate them from every other museum on the planet, but it is their people that truly distinguish them. From astrophysics and American art to sociology and zoology, they represent a staggering breadth of knowledge and depth of commitment, yet the most exciting thing to watch is what happens when…

Two big milestones marked 2014 for the Smithsonian Institution. First, Dr. David Skorton was elected 13th Secretary. Academic leader, cardiologist, and musician, Dr. Skorton and his wife, Professor Robin Davisson, come to the Smithsonian from Cornell University. Dr. Skorton has served as Cornell's president since 2006 and holds academic…