Abby Richardson

Advisor: Dr. Lydia Light

Education:

B.A. Biology, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2021

Research Interests:

Primate behavioral ecology and conservation.

Current Research:

My intended thesis research will focus on the ranging behavior of ring-tailed lemurs in a semi-free ranging setting in the US.

Olivia Kipple

Advisor: Dr. Sara Juengst

Education:

B.A. Applied Anthropology and Criminal Justice, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2021

Research Interests:

Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology

Current Research:

My thesis research focuses on the skeletal pathology and trends that are common amongst domestic violence and sexual assault victims. I focus heavily on violence against women in a western, democratic society and the key pathological findings prevalent on the human skeleton after these tragedies have occurred.

Rose Vetter

Advisor: Dr. Dennis Ogburn

Education:

B.A. Anthropology, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 2020

Research Interests:

Paleopathology, bioarchaeology, osteology, archaeology

Current Research:

My thesis research focuses on the analysis of Linear Enamel Hypoplasia on individuals from Peru to compare Northern and Southern coastal living 300 years ago.

Sam Wiedre

Advisor: Dr. Sara Juengst Education: BS in Law Enforcement Technology from SUNY Farmingdale; MA in Anthropology from UNC Charlotte 2022 Research Interests: Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology Current Research: My thesis focuses on how osteoarthritis in the pelvis, femur, and vertebral column can affect age determination. Specifically, the methods used to determine age and the accuracy of the age determination.

Heather Dinkins

Advisor: Dr. Nicole Peterson

Education:

B.A. Anthropology with a minor in Earth Science, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2018

Research Interests:

Applied anthropology, cultural anthropology, environmental science, environmental education

Current Research:

My thesis research in collaboration with Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) investigates the efficiency of the center’s visitor experience in promoting environmental values and the activation of pro-environmental behaviors. Through surveys, follow-up interviews, and site observations, I aim to determine the similarities and differences in environmental values and motivation between three groups related to CRC in different capacities: those visiting CRC, those living within two miles of CRC, and those interacting with CRC via social media.

Alexandra Pardo

Advisor: Dr. Nicole Peterson

Education:

B.A. Anthropology and Classical Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2020

Research Interests:

Applied anthropology, food insecurity, accessibility, political economy

Current Research:

My thesis research focuses on food insecurity at UNC Charlotte.

Himali Liyanage

Advisor: Dr. Nicole Peterson

Education:

B.A. in Criminal Justice, UMUC, Maryland

Research Interests:

Applied Anthropology

Nyja Grant

Advisor: Dr. Andrea Freidus

Education:

B.A. Organizational Management, Ashford University , 2010

Research Interests:

Gender roles, applied anthropology, medical anthropology, and Mapping healthcare availability within the brown and black communities.

Current Research:

The effect ethnicity has in the maternal and neonatal mortality rate in western medicine.

Sharon Haywood Gillard

Advisor: Dr. Nicole Peterson

Education:

Early Entry Student at UNCC enrolled in 2018 – concurrently working on my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree

Research Interests:

Environmental anthropology concerning waste

Current research:

My specific area of study is regarding how societies can be constructed by waste and about the boundaries created in the process.

Mackenzie Sweitzer

Name: Mackenzie Sweitzer

Advisor: Dr. Dennis Ogburn

Education:

B.A. in Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2018

Research Interests:

Archaeology and bioarchaeology; Iron Age Eurasia, Sarmatians/Scythians, embodied gender; the Andes, Ecuador, the Inca, ceramics, agency, politics, pXRF analysis

Current Research:

My thesis proposal is dealing with sherds from Ecuador, dating to around the Late Intermediate Period to the Late Horizon, the period of Inca expansion and control. I will be analyzing sherds with pXRF to determine if there are shared source materials between Inca and local style wares.