It's nice to meet you.
I am currently a PhD student at the University of Montana, specializing in ancient DNA research under the mentorship of Dr. Meradeth Snow. In addition to my academic endeavors, I serve as the Project Manager for the NSF-funded project "The effects of shared markers of identity on inflammation and stress," which is a collaborative initiative with the University of Alabama and Baylor University. Furthermore, I hold a position as a Research Collaborator on the Rural Embodiment and Community Health project, which involves partnerships with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Washington University in St. Louis. My research interests are rooted in anthropological genetics and encompass a range of topics, including menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, women’s health issues, energetics, and Life History Theory, particularly within the context of the Pacific region. A critical aspect of my work is the emphasis on Indigenous data sovereignty, ensuring that the rights and perspectives of Indigenous communities are respected and integrated into the research process.
Formal Education
PhD in Anthropology
In Progress
The University of Montana
Advisor: Dr. Meradeth Snow
Dissertation Topic: Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, Women's Genetic Diseases, Ancient DNA, Pacific Islands
Master of the Arts in Anthropology
Master of Public Health Certificate in Maternal and Child Health
The University of Colorado Denver
Advisor: Dr. Anna Warrener
Thesis: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as an Evolutionary Mismatch Disease
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School
Concentration: Maternal Fetal Genetics, Childbirth
Bachelor of the Arts in Anthropology
Undergraduate Certificate in Cognitive Archaeology
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Advisor(s): Dr. Tara Cepon-Robins & Dr. Kimbra Smith
Thesis: The Immigrant Experience: Studying the Efficacy of Deep Maps as an Empathetic Teaching Method in Anthropology
The Center for Cognitive Archaeology (UCCS)
Advisor(s): Dr. Thomas Wynn & Dr. Fred Coolidge
Focus: FOXP2 Gene as a Marker of Neanderthal Language