EDUCATION
PhD Anthropology, The University of Montana (Expected May 2026 )
Dissertation Title: Tatau and Female Health in Sāmoa: Applied Medical Anthropology Approaches to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Cultural Identity
Advisors: Dr. Meradeth Snow and Dr. Tara Cepon-Robins
MA Anthropology, The University of Colorado Denver (May 2021)
Thesis Title: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome as an Evolutionary Mismatch Disorder: An Argument for the Significance of Hyperandrogenism on Reproductive Fitness in Ancestral Populations
Advisor: Dr. Anna Warrener, with Dr. Sarah Horton
Master of Public Health Certificate in Maternal and Child Health, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (Dec 2020 )
BA Anthropology, The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (Dec 2018 )
Thesis Title: The Immigration Experience: Testing the Efficacy of Deep Maps as an Empathetic Teaching Method
Advisor: Dr. Kimbra Smith
Undergraduate Certificate in Cognitive Archaeology, The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (Dec 2018 )
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
2025
Lynn C, Manthey C, Copeland T, Samau B, Muehlenbein M. Cultural Identity and Tatau: Participatory Approaches to Understanding Sāmoan Heritage in the Pacific. Pacific Studies Journal. (Submitted & Under Review)
2025
Novak T, Manthey C, Gassen J, Baker E, Weaver S, Muehlenbein M. Perceptions of Disease Risk Across Sex and Reproductive Stages: A Biocultural Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Evolutionary Medicine and Public Health. (Submitted & Under Review)
2025
Manthey C, Gildner TE, Urlacher SS, Mallot EK, Chaney C, Zhang A, Waimon S, Nemeth KL, Beauregard JA, Shing A, Samsonov A, Pfaff-Nash M, Cepon-Robins TJ. Embodiment, Immunity, and Reproductive Outcomes: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Pregnancy Loss. American Journal of Human Biology. (Submitted & Under Review)
2025
Nowak M, Manthey C, Samau B, Lynn C. Cultural Perceptions of Mental Health in Sāmoa: Exploring Sex Differences and Community Contexts. American Journal of Human Biology. (Submitted & Under Review)
2025
Lynn C, Manthey C, Fonoti D, Sanele L, Samau B. Tattooing as a Gateway to Anthropology.
The Contemporary Pacific. (Submitted & Under Review)
2025
Manthey C, Samau B, Savusa K. Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Women’s Health: A Collaborative Case Study in Sāmoa’s Upolu and Savai’i. Journal of Sāmoan Studies. (Accepted)
2025
Manthey C. Humanizing the Genome: Deep Mapping as a Pedagogical Tool in Migration Studies. Teaching Anthropology. (Accepted)
2025
Manthey C, Lynn CD, Ocobock C, Cepon-Robins TJ, Warrener A. Age at Menarche and Its Potential Role in Early Detection of Hyperandrogenic Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Am J Biol Anthropol. 186(4):e70046. doi:10.1002/ajpa.70046
2024
Lynn C, Nowak T, Manthey C, Muehlenbein M. Physiology of Pe’a and Malu: Biocultural Case Studies of the Physiological Response to Sāmoan Tatau. Pacific Journal of Health. Vol 7(1). doi: 10.56031/2576-215X.1006
2024
Manthey C, Super M, Cepon-Robins TJ. Childhood Developmental Environment Affects Adult Intestinal Inflammation Levels: Preliminary Evidence From Older Adults in the United States. Ann Hum Biol. 51(1):2427593. doi:10.1080/03014460.2024.2427593
2024
Lynn CD, Manthey C, Ocobock C. The Value of Publicly Engaged Podcasting in Human Biology. Am J Hum Biol. 36(9):e24105. doi:10.1002/ajhb.24105
2024
Manthey C, Cepon-Robins T, Warrener A. Hyperandrogenism Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome May Have a Protective Effect Against Fracture Risk in Female Athletes: A Pilot Study. Am J Hum Biol. 36(8):e24070. doi:10.1002/ajhb.24070
PUBLICATIONS IN PREPARATION
Hazelwood, L, Manthey C, Snow M. Indigenous Data Sovereignty in Practice: Applied Research Frameworks for Community-Engaged Anthropology. American Anthropologist. (Submission planned for November 2025).
Manthey C, Ocobock C, Sievert L, Leonard W, Muehlenbein M. Applied Biocultural Perspectives on PCOS: Life History, Energetics, and Women’s Reproductive Health. Medical Anthropology Quarterly. (Submission planned for December 2025).
Manthey C, Phimpasone-Brady N, McKenney K. Stigma, Embodiment, and Reproductive Health: Applied Medical Anthropology Approaches to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in underserved Communities. Anthropology & Medicine. (Submission planned for February 2026).
Manthey C, Samau B, Lynn C. Embodied Sovereignty: Fa’a Sāmoa Theory and the Relationship Between Malu Tatau and Fertility. Medical Anthropology Quarterly (MAQ). (Submission planned for May 2026).
PUBLICATIONS (not listed above)
2025
Manthey C. Embodying Resilience: The Malu as a Rite of Passage in Sāmoan Culture. Alliance of Professional Tattooists. Newsletter.
2024
Manthey C. Women’s Health and Tatau Research. Tattooing and Human Nature. Research Blog Contribution.
2024
Manthey C. Embodying Resilience: The Malu as a Rite of Passage in Sāmoan Culture. Alliance of Professional Tattooists. Newsletter.
ACADEMIC POSTERS WITH PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS
2026
Manthey C, Phimpasone-Brady N, McKenney K. Beyond the Clinic: Understanding Stigma and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Through Applied Medical Anthropology. Submitted to the Society for Applied Anthropology annual conference.
2026
Manthey C, Phimpasone-Brady N, McKenney K. Embodiment and Stigmatization: Biocultural Perspectives on PCOS and Women’s Health. Submitted to the Human Biology Association annual conference.
2025
Manthey C, Gildner TE, Urlacher SS, Mallott EK, Chaney C, Zhang A, Waimon S, Nemeth KL, Thomas JB, Shing A, Samsonov A, Pfaff-Nash M, Cepon-Robins TJ. 2025. The Rural Embodiment and Community Health Project: Link Between Lifelong Immune Dysregulation and Pregnancy Loss. American Association of Biological Anthropologists. Baltimore, Maryland.
2025
Snow M, Searcy M, Bolhm T, Jensen S, Manthey C. Unraveling Population Histories: Mitochondrial DNA Analysis in the Casas Grandes Region of Mexico. American Association of Biological Anthropologists. Baltimore, Maryland.
2025
Novak M, Manthey C, Koncan C, Nowak T, Samau B, Muehlenbein M, Lynn C. Inking of Immunity: Community Perceptions and Cultural Identity in Upolu, Sāmoa. Human Biology Association Conference. Baltimore, Maryland.
2025
Lynn CD, Manthey C, Koncan C, Samau B, Nowak T, Muehelenbein M. Perceived Vulnerability to Disease and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Stress: Inking of Immunity in the Sāmoan Islands. American Association of Biological Anthropologists. Baltimore, Maryland.
2024
Manthey C, Cepon-Robins TJ, Warrener, AG. 2024. Investigating the Relationship Between Early Puberty and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Implications of PCOS on Recalled Menarche Timing. Androgen Excess & PCOS Society annual conference. Remote.
2024
Lynn C, Sanele F, Manthey C, Muehlenbein M. 2024. Inking of Immunity: Tattoos as Sexy or Indications of Service in Sāmoa and American Sāmoa. The Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association annual conference. Remote.
2024
Manthey C, Cepon-Robins TJ, Warrener, AG. 2024. Early Puberty and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Preliminary Investigation Suggesting Females Affected by PCOS May Experience Menarche One Year Earlier than Unaffected Individuals. Human Biology Association annual conference. Los Angeles, California.
2024
Cepon-Robins TJ, Mallott EK, Manthey C, Nemeth KL, Recca IC, Samsonov A, Shing AB, Super M, Thomas JB, Waimon S, Zhang A, Gildner TE. 2024. Rural Embodiment and Community Health (REACH) study: Disparities in Gastrointestinal Health and Inflammation in Older Adults from Three U.S. Samples. Human Biology Association annual conference. Los Angeles, California.
2022
Manthey C, Cepon-Robins TJ. 2022. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) as an Evolutionary Mismatch Disorder: Preliminary Evidence that PCOS May Reduce Fracture Risk Among Female CrossFit Athletes. American Association of Biological Anthropologists. Denver, Colorado.
2022
Manthey C, Cepon-Robins TJ, Gildner TE. 2022. Point of Care Device Testing: An Examination of Intestinal Inflammation Diversity Amongst Males and Females. Human Biology Association annual conference. Denver, Colorado.
2022
Gildner TE, Manthey C, Weaver S, Zhang A, Deleger J, Cepon-Robins TJ. 2022. Point-of-Care Testing Applications in the Measurements of Intestinal Inflammation. Human Biology Association annual conference. Denver, Colorado.
2021
Manthey C, Cepon-Robins TJ. Testing the Hygiene Hypothesis Among Older Adults Residing in the United States. Human Biology Association annual conference. Remote.
2021
Manthey C, Warrener AG. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) as an Evolutionary Mismatch Disorder: An Argument for the Significance of Hyperandrogenism on Reproductive Fitness in Ancestral Populations. Society for Evolution, Medication, and Public Health annual conference. Remote.
INVITED TALKS
2025
Public Engaged Scholarship in Academia. Workshop for the University of Montana. Missoula, Montana. (scheduled November 12, 2025)
2025
Applied Medical Anthropology and Women’s Health: Rethinking PCOS in Cultural and Biocultural Context. University of Toronto. Remote.
2025
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome from an Applied Medical Lens. PCOS Tour: Understand Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Diagnosis, and Treatment. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Aurora, Colorado.
2025
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Biocultural Context: A Look at Reproductive Health and Cultural Identity in Sāmoa. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs, Colorado.
2025
Culture, Biology, and Women’s Health: Rethinking Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Biocultural Context. Montana Anthropology Student Association. Missoula, Montana.
2024
The Old Friends Hypothesis and Healthy Aging: Childhood Environment Affects Intestinal Inflammation Levels in Older Adults. Age Friendly University Launch Invited “EN-Lightning Talk” at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. October 1, 2024. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Co-Author.
2024
PCOS and Stigmatization. National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association: The State of Research. September 27, 2024. Remote.
2024
Hyperandrogenism Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome May Have a Protective Effect Against Fracture Risk in Female Athletes: A Pilot Study. Lambda Alpha Research Conference at the University of Montana. September 20, 2024. Missoula, Montana.
2024
Beyond Fertility: The Multifaceted Health Implications of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. National University of Sāmoa Seminar Series. May 23, 2024. Apia, Sāmoa.
2024
Make No Bones About It: Preliminary Evidence that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an Evolutionary Mismatch Disease that May Have Benefitted Bone Health in Ancestral Populations. The American Association for Biological Anthropologists 2024 conference podium presentation. Los Angeles, California.
2023
The Importance of Diversity in Lived Experiences. The Preeclampsia Foundation Annual MoMMA’s Voices Summit. November 5, 2023. Orlando, Florida.
2023
The Importance of Diversity in Lived Experiences: A Cultural Look at Medicine. The Preeclampsia Foundation Annual MoMMA’s Voices Summit. November 5, 2023. Orlando, Florida.
2023
The ‘Applied’ in Applied Medical Anthropology. The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association. January 12, 2023. Remote.
2022
Pregnancy and Skeletal Systems: Why Pregnancy Accommodations are Necessary. Department of Human and Safety Resources, Wilson Logistics. September 2, 2022. Seattle, Washington.
2022
Corporate Anthropology and Considerations for Pregnant People. Department of Human and Safety Resources, Wilson Logistics. May 24, 2022. Remote.
2021
Graduate School: Things to Know. Guest speaker at the Graduate School Q & A Seminar, Department of Anthropology, The University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs, Colorado.
PRESS
2025
Human Biology Association Student Webinar Series Host. 20 Episodes (17,000 views). Remote.
2024
Courtney Manthey Educates Us About PCOS and Evolutionary Mismatches. The Sausage of Science Podcast. Virtual. Episode 227.
2021
SIRIUSXM Radio: Women in Trucking and The State of Research. Sirius XM Talk Show. May 9, 2021. Virtual. Women in Trucking
2021
Applied Medical Anthropology in Long-Haul Trucking. The Truck Boss Show: Season 4 Episode 16. Aired April 22, 2021. Remote.
2020
Pregnancy and Long-Haul Trucking: Lived Experiences. www.TruckNews.com, article published December 8, 2020 by Adbul Latheef. Remote.
2020
The Impacts of Long-Haul Trucking on Women. Fleet Article Magazine, article published on December 1, 2020 by Cristina Commendatore. Remote.
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
2025
Bertha Morton Scholarship ($3,000)
University of Montana
2020
Chancellor’s Fellowship ($2,500)
University of Colorado Denver
2019
Chancellor’s Fellowship ($2,500)
University of Colorado Denver
2018
Most Outstanding Anthropology Undergraduate
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
2018
Highest Thesis Honors
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
2025-Present Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA)
2021-Present Society for Medical Anthropology
2021-Present Colorado Public Health Association
2020-Present American Anthropological Association (AAA)
2020-Present National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association
2020-Present Androgen Excess and PCOS Society
2019-Present American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA)
2018-Present Human Biology Association (HBA)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Sept 2025
Peer Reviewer, Scientific Reports
Sept 2025
Peer Reviewer, Archives of Women’s Health
2025-Present
Editor of RISE Magazine, Colorado Public Health Association
2025-Present
Medical Anthropology Mentor, University of Colorado Denver
2025-Present
Community Engagement in Research Committee, Human Biology Association
2025-Present
Advisory Board, Preeclampsia Foundation
2025-Present
Elected Student Committee Member, American Association of Anthropologists
2024-Present
Executive Committee Student Chair, Human Biology Association
2023-Present
Junior Service Fellow, Human Biology Association
2023-Present
Sausage of Science Podcast Co-Host (22 episodes hosted)
2023-Present
Certified Patient Family Partner (Lived Experience Expert), MoMMA’s Voices
2023-Present
Advisory Board, PCOS Multidisciplinary Clinic Anschutz Medical Campus
2022
Session Chair: Birth and Breastfeeding, American Association of Biological Anthropologists annual conference
2020-Present
Research Committee, National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association
2020-Present
Pro Bono Childbirth Doula (adolescent and LGBTQIA+ communities)
CERTIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING
2025
Pacific Studies (Sāmoan Language) Certificate, University of Hawai’i West Oahu (in progress)
2024
Lived Experience Expert Certification, The Preeclampsia Foundation: MoMMA’s Voices
2024
Indigenous Data Sovereignty Certification, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
2023
Veteran Educators and Training Support (VETS) Certification, The University of Colorado Colorado Springs