RESEARCH
Current Projects
Please see the publications and links pages to learn about our past work.
INEQUALITY OF DEVELOPMENTAL STRESS AND HEALTH THROUGH THE LIFE COURSE
Human Biology, Forensic Anthropology, Bioarchaeology
Health and developmental stress are closely intertwined. Manifestations of the interactions between health and stress can be observed across numerous systems of living individuals or on skeletal remains. Unequal access to opportunity results in inequality in wellbeing. The consequences of inequality, health, and developmental stress can be traced throughout the human life course. We conduct research on various biological indicators of stress, including biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and HbA1C, skeletal indicators of physiological disruption such as fluctuating asymmetry, delayed development, and evidence of specific nutritional deficiencies, and the timing and causes of mortality. We couple these data with information from culture history to understand the patterns and consequences of inequality in society.
Involved lab members: Nikki Appel; Paige Lynch; Jana Valesca Meyer; Emily Moes; Cait McPherson
IMPROVING THE IDENTIFICATION OF MISSING AND MURDERED AMERICAN INDIANS
Forensic Anthropology
Per capita, more Native American women experience violence during their lives than any other group. Native Americans who are missing often remain that way for years, even decades, and are sometimes never found. Many factors contribute to these problems, including institutional violence, poverty, substance abuse, remote living, and poor communication among law enforcement agencies. We are working to advance forensic anthropologists' ability to recognize and document unidentified human remains as Native American, therefore improving the likelihood of their return to families.
Involved lab members: Nikki Appel; Kelly Kamnikar; Esteban Rangel
CULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL VARIATION IN NEW MEXICANS OF SPANISH-SPEAKING DESCENT
Human Biology, Forensic Anthropology
As a result of its unique history, almost half of New Mexicans use terms like Spanish, Hispanic, Chicano/a, Latino/a and Mexican to describe themselves and others in their community. Our research examines how continental ancestry, health, education, and other social factors map on to these cultural terms.
Involved lab members: Nikki Appel; Emily Moes
THE BIOHISTORY OF MEXICO AND THE MAYA REGION
Bioarchaeology
Mexico’s long history is characterized by the repeated rise and fall of complex, state-level societies. Relations among these states shaped the ways that kings and commoners interacted through trade, migration, and warfare. We study the ways these cultural factors have shaped patterns of phenotypic variation in Mexico’s population. Our current focus is on the consequences for wellbeing of the Castas system in place during the Viceroyal era. We are also interested in similar questions in different world regions.
Involved lab members: Paige Lynch; Emily Moes