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Alumna Susan Kooiman Receives Midwest Archaeology Conference Dissertation Award
The Department of Anthropology congratulates alumna Dr. Susan Kooiman for receiving the Midwest Archaeology Conference Dissertation Award for her research entitled, “A Multiproxy Analysis of Culinary, Technological, & Environmental Interactions in the Northern Great Lakes Region”. Dr. Kooiman received her PhD at Michigan State University in 2018 and is now an Assistant Professor with the Department of Anthropology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Read the abstract to Dr. Kooiman’s dissertation below. “A novel combination of analytic methods is used to address the decades-long debate about diachronic subsistence, settlement, and social pattern changes during the Woodland period (AD 1 – 1600)…
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New Department Chair, Dr. Todd Fenton
The Department of Anthropology is pleased to announce Dr. Todd Fenton (Professor of Anthropology) as our new Department Chair. On behalf of the department, we would like to thank previous Chairperson Dr. Jodie O’Gorman for her years of invaluable service. Dr. Fenton looks forward to continuing this legacy and building on this strong department. Dr. Fenton has served as a faculty member with the Department of Anthropology since 1998 and is a renowned forensic anthropologist. Over his career, Dr. Fenton has developed an internationally recognized PhD program focusing on forensic anthropology and established the MSU Forensic Anthropology Laboratory (MSUFAL) as…
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PhD Student Brian Geyer Receives Fulbright-Hays DDRA
The Department of Anthropology is proud to announce that PhD student Brian Geyer has received a Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) award for his research on technology professionals in Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya. His research project, entitled “Intersectional Identity Among Kenya’s Technology Industry Professionals.” His research will investigate how aspects of tech sector professionals’ identities, including gender but also ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status, affect their positions of social, political, and economic power in the sector. International development literature frequently discusses the importance of women’s empowerment as a means of lifting a population overall, especially within the most economically-productive…
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New Research Associate, Dr. Gabriel Sanchez
The Department of Anthropology is pleased to welcome Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, who joins us as a Research Associate after completing his doctorate in anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Sanchez is part of the inaugural class of the College of Social Science Dean’s Research Associate Program, which was established in 2018 and currently supports four distinguished research associates. This program promotes an inclusive scholarly environment, in which outstanding scholars in the social sciences support the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the academy. Dr. Sanchez is an indigenous and environmental archaeologist whose research investigates the ancient fisheries…
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Campus Archaeology Program (CAP)
The Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program (CAP) provides a wide array of opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Whether you are looking to get your hands dirty digging in the dirt or you want to help share some spooky archaeologically-inspired stories during CAP’s annual Apparitions and Archaeology event in October, CAP provides unique and innovative ways for both anthropology and non-anthropology students to learn about the past. CAP provides hands-on training and real-world experience in archaeological excavation, historical research, public outreach, and artifact identification and analysis. Every other summer CAP runs an archaeological field school where students can…
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PhD student Kelly Kamnikar publishes in International Journal of Osteoarchaeology on chronic infection and health-related caregiving at Holliston Mills, TN
Kelly Kamnikar, Department of Anthropology PhD student, recently published with colleagues in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology on their research from the site of Holliston Mills, Tennessee. The article discusses the bioarchaeology of chronic infection and health-related caregiving during the late Mississippian period at Holliston Mills. Read the full article at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oa.2805
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New Article in The Conversation by Associate Professor Mara Leichtman on Senegal’s History of Stability
Department of Anthropology Associate Professor Mara Leichtman recently published in a new article in The Conversation in which she explores the history behind and reasons for Senegal’s political stability compared to many other West African nations. Read the full article at https://theconversation.com/the-exception-behind-senegals-history-of-stability-113198
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New Article in The Conversation by Associate Professor Gabriel D. Wrobel on Ancient Maya
Department of Anthropology Associate Professor Gabriel D. Wrobel recently published in a new article in The Conversation in which he discusses how how trophies made from human skulls hint at regional conflict around the time of the Classic Maya civilizations collapse. Read the full article at https://theconversation.com/trophies-made-from-human-skulls-hint-at-regional-conflicts-around-the-time-of-maya-civilizations-mysterious-collapse-115025
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Anthropology Department Recognizes Graduating Seniors
This past Saturday, the Anthropology Department recognized the success of 29 undergraduates that either have completed, or will complete, their degree requirements this spring or summer. The department hosted a reception following commencement, in further recognition of our students’ achievements. As part of the festivities, we asked all of our graduates to provide us with a short description of their interests, successes, and their future plans. We congratulate everyone on their accomplishments, and wish them the best of luck with their future endeavors, wherever anthropology may take them! Erikka Arno: Erikka is primarily interested in cultural anthropology, and as such…
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Professor Joe Hefner Quoted in Washington Post Article on Sri Lanka Easter Bombing
In a recent Washington Post article (subscription required) Dr. Joe Hefner, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology, discusses the Easter terrorist bombing in Sri Lanka. Hefner, a board-certified forensic anthropologist who assisted in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, provided The Washington Post with his expert perspective on the incredible challenges in identifying victims in a disaster of this magnitude.