Smithsonian tropical research institute

In 1923 the Institute for Research in Tropical America, a group of private foundations and universities under the auspices of the National Research Council, first established a research laboratory on Barro Colorado Island, Panama Canal Zone, in order to investigate the flora and fauna of tropical America. In 1940 an act of Congress placed the facility under control of a board composed of the heads of certain executive departments and prominent scientists. In 1946 the operation of the laboratory was transferred to the Smithsonian and was named the Canal Zone Biological Area (CZBA). It was renamed the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in 1966.

James Zetek, an entomologist on the staff of the United States Department of Agriculture, served as Resident Manager of the CZBA (before 1946, the Barro Colorado Island research laboratory) from 1923 to 1956. He was succeeded by Carl B. Koford, Resident Manager, 1956-1957; Martin H. Moynihan, Resident Manager, 1957-1963, and Director, 1963-1973; Ira Rubinoff, Director, 1973-2007; and Eldredge Bermingham, Acting Director, 2007-2008, and Director, 2008- .

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