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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

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