• Message from the Chair: Dr. Jodie O’Gorman

    Welcome to the Spring 2017 newsletter! As usual, there is a lot going on at this time of the year. I am happy to announce that we have hired Dr. Fredy Rodriguez as our new teaching professor. He will be an important link to new undergraduate majors, mentor teaching assistants, and bring a strong interest in […]

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  • The Biomarker Laboratory for Anthropological Research

    In 2011 Dr. Masako Fujita founded the Biomarker Laboratory for Anthropological Research, where she and her students could conduct cutting edge anthropology research using biomarkers: measurable biochemical substances in bodies that can indicate various aspects of health. Recent grants from the Wenner-Gren Foundation and the National Science Foundation are funding two separate projects that together […]

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  • 2017 Fieldwork Photography Winners

    First Place “Stone Skipping in Matemwe“ Taken in Zanzibar in 2016 by graduate student Jessica Ott           Second Place “Fishing Boat on the Zambezi” Taken in Zambia in 2014 by undergraduate Robert Billette               Third Place (not pictured) “Sassy” by graduate student Deon Claiborne Congratulations […]

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  • skipping stones

    Fieldwork Photography Contest Winners for 2017

    First Place: “Stone Skipping in Matemwe” Zanzibar, 2016 Jessica Ott, Graduate Student   Second Place: “Fishing Boat on the Zambezi” Zambia, 2014 Robert Billette, Undergraduate   Third Place: (not pictured) “Sassy” Costa Rica, 2015 Deon Claiborne, Graduate Student

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  • Monir Moniruzzaman Presents Research on Human Organ Trafficking at the Vatican

    Dr. Monir Moniruzzaman presented his research on human organ trafficking at the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Science during the Summit on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism this April. Dr. Moniruzzaman hopes that bringing increased attention to black market organ sales will reduce this “form of slavery that exploits bonded laborers, migrants and refugees fleeing the genocide in […]

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  • Mara Leichtman helps launch “World Anthropology Day” in Kuwait

    Mara Leichtman helped launch American University of Kuwait’s first celebration of World Anthropology Day with Professor Pellegrino Luciano (AUK), Kuwaiti anthropologist Professor Abdullah Alajmi (Arab Open University), and AUK’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Anthropology Club (February 16, 2017). Mara Leichtman is currently conducting international research, having received three grants for her new project entitled, “Humanitarian […]

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  • Anthropology Students Present Research, Win Recognition at UURAF

    Anthropology undergraduates presented their excellent research in the form of poster presentations at the 2017 University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF). The UURAF is a university-wide event focused on highlighting unique and creative research endeavors of undergraduates across disciplines. Students at UURAF are mentored by faculty, and have the opportunity to present a poster […]

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  • Dr. Joseph T. Hefner releases new text with Dr. Marin A. Pilloud

    Biological Distance Analysis, 1st Edition Forensic and Bioarchaeological Perspectives Edited by: Marin A. Pilloud and Joseph T. Hefner Biological Distance Analysis: Forensic and Bioarchaeological Perspectives synthesizes research within the realm of biological distance analysis, highlighting current work within the field and discussing future directions. The book is divided into three main sections. The first section […]

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  • Guest Speakers Offer Fresh Perspectives

    Two dynamic scholars visited the department this fall. Dr. Donna Yates (University of Glasgow, pictured on left) brought her expertise on antiquities trafficking to campus. She gave a public lecture to an audience of almost 100 with another 41 people watching it stream live. The talk traced factors enabling looting and illicit antiquities sales around […]

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  • Digital Archaeology Grant Wraps Up

    The Institute for Digital Archaeology Method and Practice successfully held its second and final meeting at MSU this past August.  Directed by Professors Ethan Watrall and Lynne Goldstein and generously supported by a $250,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the goal of the institute was to bring together scholars, practitioners, and […]

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