Current Research
I am collaborating with researchers at the University of Indianapolis as well as the anthropology department here at Indiana State University for my project. I would like to thank Dr. Stephen Nawrocki, forensic anthropologist (UI); Dr. Mary Ritke, cellular and molecular biologist( UI); Dr. Shawn Phillips, bioarchaeologist (ISU); and Dr. Elaina Tuttle, population genetisis (ISU) for all of their help and guidance.
Below is an abstract of my project.
Determining Familial Relationships Using Ancient DNA from Urban and Rural Historic Burials
Abstract
Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis has the potential to answer a multitude of questions in the fields of genetics and bioarchaeology. Previous studies have primarily focused on developing DNA extraction and amplification protocols that have high success rates. However, applying these new technologies to solving questions about past populations is often relegated to determining the relatedness or lineage of a few individuals or determining the sex of individuals. Fitting these questions and protocols into a larger picture has the potential to give new insight into past lives that was never accessible before the advent of DNA technology. For my project I am interested in comparing human populations at the community level. The focus of my study would be to determine if individuals buried in rural cemeteries, where populations are low and there is a higher chance for family plots, are more related to each other than individuals buried in urban cemeteries, where populations are high and there are public as well as almshouse cemeteries. Sample cemeteries are located throughout Indiana and have been excavated by collaborators at the University of Indianapolis, who have already undertaken preliminary aDNA analysis. aDNA from approximately 30 individuals from 3 cemeteries have been extracted. I propose to examine familial relationships of these individuals using 15 Short Tandem Repeat (STR) loci. By comparing the frequency of individuals that are related in a cemetery, a better idea of burial practices of 19th century Indiana can be ascertained. Ancient DNA is often overlooked as a useful tool for bioarchaeologists in determining past life ways of a population, yet it promises to yield vast amounts of novel and exciting data.
Download Posters From Recent Conferences:
Midwest Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology Association
Upon completion of my master’s degree (scheduled for Spring 2005), I am interested in obtaining my PhD in anthropology and have therefore begun investigation of various graduate programs. I would like to combine my interests and skills in archaeology (from a historical and biocultural perspective), skeletal anatomy/pathology, GIS analysis, and possibly DNA analysis into an integrative plan of study. However, I would like historical archaeology to be the focus of my dissertation. I have become curious about how cultural practices and ideals have affected the physical layout of a community. For example, as the rural cemetery movement took hold it changed not only how cemeteries were constructed but how people viewed cemeteries. I would like to continue researching these ideas on landscape and material culture.
Lone Pine Koala Santuary, Brisbane, Australia
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