PROFILE
I'm a biological anthropologist specializing in anthropological
genetics. I'm especially interested in the relationship between
biological variation, cultural practices, and the environment.
My
primary research area is anthropological genetics. In my research, I
use statistical genetics methods to investigate the genetic and
environmental factors that influence human variation, including
variation in disease risk. My current research is focused on the
genetic and environmental factors that underlie type 2 diabetes risk in
American Indians, a population that is disproportionately affected by
this disease. Other aspects of human variation that I have investigated
include human handedness, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Most of my genetics research uses data from families, and methods that
can be applied to investigations of a variety of normal and disease
traits.
In addition to my human variation research, I use faunal
skeletal biology and paleopathology to examine the prehistory of
human-animal interactions. My research in this area includes the use
and treatment of domestic dogs in the prehistoric and early historic
American Southeast, Midsouth, and Midwest.
My research
profile
describes my research interests in more detail.
COURSES TAUGHT
General Anthropology (ANTH 1113)
Introduction to Biological Anthropology (ANTH 2503)
Human Variation (ANTH 4603)
Human Growth (ANTH 5913)
Anthropology Capstone (ANTH 4113)
I am also happy to supervise independent research!
EDUCATION
B.A., Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (1988)
M.A., Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (1994)
Ph.D., Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (2004). Dissertation: Skeletal biology and paleopathology of domestic dogs from prehistoric Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Postdoctoral Research: Department of Genetics, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX (2004 - 2006).