Alumni Profiles

(BA Anthropology & History, 2003 Brandeis University; MA Anthropology, 2009 University of Colorado, PhD Anthropology, 2020 University of Colorado). Jessica Hedgepeth Balkin examined human land use in the Río Verde Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico for her PhD research. She approached her analysis through geospatial techniques (GIS). Hedgepeth Balkin also has research interests in ceramic production using statistical and petrographic analysis. Her advisor was Arthur Joyce. Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Balkin!...

(BA Anthropology, 2007, University of Florida; MA Anthropology, 2011, University of Central Florida, PhD Anthropology, 2019 University of Colorado). Jeff specializes in the archaeology of Mesoamerica, particularly southern Mexico. His dissertation research focused on the collapse and regeneration of early complex societies in coastal Oaxaca during the Terminal Formative period (150 B.C. - A.D. 250). His advisor was Art Joyce.

Kaitlyn Davis (MA Anthropology, 2017 University of Colorado Boulder) is an archaeology PhD student focusing on the Pueblo Southwest. Her advisor is Dr. Catherine Cameron. Her interests include frontiers and borders, particularly trade interaction processes, and transitions in settlement patterns and landscape use that occurred in the Pueblo Southwest. Kaitlyn’s master’s thesis topic centers on Plains-Pueblo interaction in the protohistoric period, and analyzes how trade and interregional interactions were mediated...

(BA Anthropology, 2008 University of Colorado Boulder; MA Anthropology & Maya Studies, 2011 University of Central Florida,PhD Anthropology, 2019 University of Colorado ). Rachel’s research area of interest is Meso and Central America. Her dissertation explored the interrelationship between human societies and natural disaster in the Tilaran-Arenal region of Costa Rica. Her advisor was Payson Sheets.

(MA Anthropology, 2018 University of Colorado) Samantha's research interests focused on Southwestern United States archaeology during the Pueblo III period. She is interested in the Tewa migration and the use of ceramic designs to track changes within pueblo communities. She has worked in the Southwest area since her undergraduate career. Her ultimate goal is to contribute to public knowledge regarding the vast archaeological record in the United States and emphasize...

Congratulations to Dr. Pascale Meehan Pascale Meehan completed a successful defense of her doctoral dissertation! A huge congratulations to Pascale and her advisor Art Joyce. Title: Collapse as Constrained Possibility: Rural Action at Early Postclassic Monte El Santo Following the Río Viejo Political Collapse Time: 8 AM April 3, 2020 Place: Virtual

(BA Anthropology, 1996 University of Wyoming; MA Anthropology, 2008 Colorado State University; PhD Doctor of Philosophy, 2018 University of Colorado Boulder). Cody studies the archaeology of the western Great Plains and middle Rocky Mountains. His dissertation research focused on the early contact period and the development of Plains Indian equestrianism. Other research foci include Paleoindian studies, early European exploration and settlement, the historic bison robe trade, and the Plains Indian...

(BA Anthropology, 2015, Binghamton University, SUNY, MA Anthropology, 2017 University of Colorado). Heather was an archaeology MA student interested in the archaeology of colonial encounters and response among the Rio Grande Pueblos. Heather's master's thesis compared trends in ceramic iconography from Rio Grande Pueblos from the thirteenth through eighteenth century and analyzed how Pueblo people maintained an active resistance and cultural revitalization in response to Spanish colonization. Her advisor was Catherine Cameron.

(BS Life Sciences, 2008 National University of Singapore; MS Biology, 2010 National University of Singapore; Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy, 2017 University of Colorado Boulder). Andie’s research interests are in the social behavior and feeding ecology of Asian colobine primates, in particular, the threatened and untended species. She has worked on the banded leaf monkeys in Singapore and Malaysia, and the white-handed gibbons in Thailand. Through her research, Andie hopes to...

(BA Anthropology, 2005 University of Colorado; MA Anthropology, 2009 University of Colorado; PhD Anthropology, 2019 University of Colorado). Bender is primarily interested in nutritional anthropology, human biology, and quantitative methods. His research focuses on human energetics, biological and cultural influences on dietary behavior, and population-level transitions in diet and health. His advisor was Darna Dufour.

(BA Anthropology, 2008 Colorado College; MA Anthropology, 2011 University of Colorado;PhD Doctor of Philosophy, 2018 University of Colorado Boulder). Jen is interested in the paleoecological context of early hominin evolution. Her focus includes the reconstruction of faunal community structure and isotopic ecology in South Africa during the Plio-Pleistocene. Her advisor was Matt Sponheimer. Summer 2017 News Jennifer has been awarded a Summer Graduate School Fellowship to work on her dissertation...

(BA Anthropology 1996, Pomona College ; MA Anthropology, 2011 University of Colorado, PhD Anthropology, 2019 University of Colorado). Paine is interested in the dispersal and speciation patterns of the australopithecines, focusing on the broad ecological and biogeographical context in which they occurred. His advisor was Matt Sponheimer.

(BS Evolutionary Anthropology, 2015 University of Michigan; MA Anthropology, 2017 University of Colorado Boulder). Jenny is primarily interested in understanding the physiological connections between mother and offspring, with a particular focus on breast milk composition, impacts of early nutritional environments, and infant gut development. Her PhD research examines raw cow's milk bacterial quality, traditional milk consumption practices, and use of raw milk in weaning foods in The Gambia in West...

Brian has a BA in architectural studies and a minor in environmental studies. Served in Peace Corps, Mali, West Africa under the sector of Natural Resource Management. Previous career in architectural design includes design/build internship at the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems; service in the AmeriCorps in East Biloxi as part of the rebuilding effort post-hurricane Katrina as a member of the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio; 3 years...

(BA Sociology & Anthropology, 2015 Millsaps College, MA Anthropology, 2017 University of Colorado Boulder) Bailey's current research focuses on the experiences of mixed race individuals in the United States. She works in New Orleans, Louisiana with Creoles of color and utilizes a Critical Mixed Race Studies framework to address issues of colorism, heritage, history, and ethnoracial fluidity in her research. Alongside her doctoral work, Bailey is a race educator with...

(BA Anthropology & History, 2009 University of Nebraska; MA Anthropology, 2011 University of Colorado; PhD Anthropology, 2018 University of Colorado). Allison’s research considered the extent to which sociocultural ideas about risk, trash, and pollution contribute to material dispossession and stigmatization of vulnerable populations. Specifically, she is interested in how mobile home residents in Lincoln, Nebraska are prefigured by community leaders, political figures, and financiers as "risky" populations subject to removal...

(BS Environmental Studies, 2004 Drexel University; MS Environmental Studies, 2011 Florida International University; Ph.D. Cultural Anthropology, 2021 University of Colorado Boulder). Emily's research examined the intersection of Indigenous rights and hydropower development within the context of climate governance. She conducted ethnographic research in Costa Rica (where policy is enacted) and at international climate and hydropower meetings (where policy is orchestrated). Her dissertation research was funded by the National Science Foundation...

(BSocSci Social Anthropology and French Language and Literature, 2008 University of Cape Town; MA Social Anthropology 2009 University of Cape Town; PhD Anthropology, 2019 University of Colorado). Ben has conducted fieldwork around issues of belief and ritual practice in contemporary occultism, magic(k) and Neo-Paganism in South Africa. Working with the very few Tibetans living in South Africa, his MA dissertation explored questions surrounding Tibetan identities in exile. Currently, his doctoral...

(BA Interdisciplinary Studies, 2007 Miami University; MA Cultural Anthropology, 2010 University of Denver; PhD University of Colorado Boulder 2018). Willi works with communities and indigenous media organizations in the Kimberley region of Northwestern Australia. By following the social life of media, he seeks to understand diverse Aboriginal conceptions of indigeneity. Willi is also interested in the emerging film genre of Native American science fiction. His advisor was Jennifer Shannon. Spring...

(MA Anthropology 2020)

(BA Anthropology, 2005 Columbia University; MA Anthropology, 2010 University of Colorado; PhD Anthropology, 2018 University of Colorado). Meryleen’s research examines current human rights organizing in São Paulo, Brazil. She investigates the ramifications of police violence and how subjugated communities both embody and deal with social, economic, and political adversity. Her advisor was Donna Goldstein. Spring 2017 News Meryleen has garnered another award. CARTSS awarded her $1000 in Graduate Student Funds...

(BA Sociology/Anthropology and Studio Art, 2009 Cornell College; MA Anthropology, 2011 University of Colorado; PhD Anthropology, 2018 University of Colorado). Merriman's research focuses on the peace and reconciliation process in Colombia. She analyzes the creative ways rural Colombian communities display their victimhood to the state and general public in order to 1) demand reparations for decades of war-related violence, and 2) demonstrate the longue-duree of institutionalized violence that has systematically...

(BS Anthropology, 2012 Baylor University; MA Anthropology, 2018 University of Colorado Boulder) Gregorio is a PhD candidate whose research examines the social and environmental impacts of fracking in the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, and how the region’s Chicano history and heritage influences perspectives of economic development. He has collaborated with research projects funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Institute for Economic Development in...

(BA Anthropology, 2007 Washington State University-Vancouver; MA Anthropology, 2009 University of Colorado; PhD Anthropology, 2018 University of Colorado). Morgan Seamont compled his dissertation on how transgender men are redefining masculinity, bodies and sexuality. Rejecting heteronormative and homonormative masculinities trans men are expanding the binary construction of gender by identifying as trans first and man second. Their refusal to deny their feminine socialization and history, trans men are adopting gender identities...

(BA Anthropology, 2004 Washington University in St. Louis; MA Social Sciences, 2006 University of Chicago; PhD Doctor of Philosophy, 2016 University of Colorado Boulder). Thomson’s research is in cultural anthropology, with a focus on the politics of humanitarian intervention across the borders of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her advisor was Carole McGranahan. Summer 2017 News Marnie has accepted a position as Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology in...

Hannah van Eendenburg Completes her MA! Congratulations to Hannah van Eendenburg for her successful defense today of her MA paper, “Colorado Seed Savers: Resistance and Resilience in the Face of Global Seed Commodification.” Hannah’s research was based on 13 months of multi-sited research around Colorado on high-altitude seed savers, their exchange networks, and their resistance to the corporate control of seeds. Her committee was me (chair), Kate Goldfarb, and Terry...

Kelly Zepelin (MA Cultural Anthropology, 2015 Colorado State University) is PhD Candidate in Cultural Anthropology. Her advisor is Dr. Kathryn Goldfarb. Kelly works with wild plant foragers in the American West to study wild food cultures, ethics, soil microbiology, decolonization, and the connection between ecological and human health. Publications Kelly Zepelin’s Research Featured in Boulder Magazine. Click here to read more about her research and learn about hunting wild edibles...