Doris Mable Cochran was an American herpetologist born in 1898. Before she formally began her collegiate education she was already working at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. She published over 90 taxonomic publications and devoted over 20 years of studies in the West Indies. Cochran established herself in the herpetology community and was well respected by those in her field for her knowledge and experience. For example, she was the 2nd elected distinguished fellow of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and served as its secretary.
Despite her contributions to the field, she experienced injustice within the Smithsonian. This was focused around her title and pay grade- which did not reflect her level of experience. Her supervisor, Waldo Schmitt advocated on behalf of Cochran. Yet, individuals such as Remington Kellogg within the Smithsonian, were adamant in opposing her efforts for recognition. Cochran retired before being properly acknowledged as a full Curator and died shortly thereafter. Despite her lack of recognition from the Smithsonian, Cochran was acknowledged by her peers with several neo-tropical frog species named after her.
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