Research Interests

I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Western Illinois University and a co-director of the Functional Morphology and Evolutionary Anatomy Working Group at WIU. I am a “holistic” anthropologist who is interested in how organisms adapt to their environment, either through evolutionary change or behavioral or social change. This means I am interested in fossil lemurs, as well as modern humans!

My research interests in physical anthropology covers a range of topics, generally focusing on land-use and environmental adaptations of primates, be they extant lemurs on Madagascar, or their ancestors now extinct for many millions of years. My current research foci include the study of dental shape and the dietary in living lemurs and lorises, as well as other mammal groups with a wide variety of dietary behaviors. As a corollary, I also study dental shape and the dietary adaptations of adapiforms from the Eocene and Miocene of Europe and Asia. I employ two-dimensional (and, hopefully soon, three-dimensional) geometric morphometrics to examine how the shape of different skeletal structures change. I have the distinct privilege of working with esteemed colleagues all over the world on these projects! I have also had the honor of participating in international workshops focusing on the use of geometric morphometrics, including the first MORPHOFEST in Vienna, Austria in 2006 (sponsored by EVAN).

In the FMEA program at WIU, I am interested in working with students who have an interest in mammalian ecological diversity and functional morphology. Through this unique program, I (along with Dr. Matt Bonnan, Department of Biological Sciences) train students to use geometric morphometric methods to investigate a variety of subjects and encourage our working group members to expand their own research interests as they prepare for graduate school, medical school, veterinary school, or other career goals. Our goal is to provide our students with a new perspective on biodiversity and an opportunity to participate in primary research with scientists in the field!

On the cultural side of the anthropology spectrum, I am interested in the pressure put on cultures in conflict zones, and particularly the role of women, family, and religion in economic development and "fair trade" practices. In this work, I investigate the origin of conflict and the role economic, environmental, and political sustainability play in conflict resolution.

I have conducted anthropological research in the US (Wyoming, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio) as well as Ireland, Bulgaria, France, India, China, and most recently, Israel and Palestine.

If you are a student interested in learning more about the new Anthropology major at WIU (beginning in Fall, 2009), the anthropology minor, or the goings-on in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, feel free to contact me or check out the Western Anthropology and Sociology Club. WASC is an incredibly dynamic group of students, involved in a host of activities here on campus – from hosting outside speakers, to discussing movies based on a host of current social and cultural topics, to hosting “aware-ness raising” sales of Fair Trade items to highlight the role of indigenous crafts and under-represented groups in the global economic market. We welcome ALL WIU students to our group, regardless of major or minor – we only require an interest in other humans!

Grants and Awards:

• 2009: WIU Faculty Mentor Grant
• 2008: Best in Track (Research Activities), WIU Faculty Research Symposium
• 2007: WIU Summer Stipend Award