top of page

I specialize in forensic anthropology with an emphasis on skeletal variation and methods of age-at-death estimation for adults. ​I also have training and experience in forensic archaeology and outdoor scene processing. 

​

In the laboratory, I am involved in the development and validation of a new adult age-at-death estimation method (TA3), as well as further investigations of the TA3 traits and the use of transition analysis as a statistical technique. 

 

My most recent research used the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Forensic Investigation Crime Scene House Outdoor Research Facility (FICSH-ORF) to research the identification of clandestine graves, the use of drone-based imaging (collaboration with the Dept. of Computer Science and Software Engineering) and the weathering of fingerprints. 

​

I am always happy to talk to undergraduate students who are interested in applying to graduate school or pursuing anthropology or forensic-related careers. I also enjoy  hiking and rock climbing. I am excited to explore my new home in Oklahoma City with my husband and dogs - Biscuits, Graysen, and Mya. 

Visiting Researcher

(ADBOU - University of Southern Denmark) 

Education

Ph.D.

Anthropology

(2011-2017) 

M.S.

Forensic & Biological Anthropology

(2009-2011) 

B.S.

Biological Anthropology

(2005-2008) 

Penn State University - Dept. of Anthropology

Dissertation: Improved Skeletal Age-at-Death Estimation and its Impact on Archaeological Analyses (Click icon to download.)

Mercyhurst University - Dept. of Applied Forensic Sciences

Master's Thesis: Investigation and Critique of the DiGangi et al. (2009)  Age-At-Death Estimation Method (Click icon to download.)

Penn State University - Dept. of Anthropology

Honors Thesis: Investigation of "low-information" skeletal traits in an African American sample. 

Professional Positions

Forensic Anthropologist

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Assistant Professor of Forensic Investigation

CJ/FI Program Coordinator

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Dept. of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences

Assistant Professor of Anthropology 

 ISU Forensic Anthropology Laboratory 

Idaho State University - Dept. of Anthropology

Visiting Assistant Professor of Applied Forensic Sciences

Mercyhurst University

Dept. of Applied Forensic Sciences

Postdoctoral Researcher

Penn State University

Dept. of Anthropology

Online Course Instructor

Penn State University

Dept. of Anthropology, Penn State World Campus

 

Jan. 2023 + 

 

Aug. 2020 - Jan. 2023

 

Aug. 2018 - May 2020

 

Aug. 2017 - July 2018

 

Jan. 2017 - July 2017

 

Aug. 2012 - July 2014

bottom of page