About
I am a biological and forensic anthropologist and anatomist, and an Associate Professor of Forensic Science at George Mason University . I am interested in applying quantitative genetic methods to study morphological variation in modern humans. My current research studies how growth influences morphological variation in human limb elements, and how different evolutionary forces affect that process.
I also have an interest in forensic anthropology. I am active in casework and have worked on cases in Illinois, California, Missouri, Kansas, and Virginia. I interned with The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) for a year and worked on excavating and identifying Somali Civil War victims with the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF) in Somaliland for two field seasons. Part of my research focuses on the practice of forensic anthropology in the medico-legal system. In addition, I also examine how populations differences in growth patterns can be applied to forensic settings.
I enjoy teaching and sharing knowledge with students. I taught Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Lab (BIOL365 and BIOL365L), Foundations of Genetics (BIOL321), and Foundations of Anatomy (BIOL109) at my previous institution. At the University of Illinois, I was an instructor for Biology of Human Behavior (ANTH143) and Forensic Science (ANTH246), and I have been a TA for Forensic Anthropology (ANTH346), Biological Anthropology (ANTH240), Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (MCB244 and MCB246), and Introduction to Anthropology (ANTH101). I also guest lectured for Human Biological Variation (ANTH241), Biological Anthropology and Introduction to Anthropology.
I also have an interest in forensic anthropology. I am active in casework and have worked on cases in Illinois, California, Missouri, Kansas, and Virginia. I interned with The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) for a year and worked on excavating and identifying Somali Civil War victims with the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF) in Somaliland for two field seasons. Part of my research focuses on the practice of forensic anthropology in the medico-legal system. In addition, I also examine how populations differences in growth patterns can be applied to forensic settings.
I enjoy teaching and sharing knowledge with students. I taught Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Lab (BIOL365 and BIOL365L), Foundations of Genetics (BIOL321), and Foundations of Anatomy (BIOL109) at my previous institution. At the University of Illinois, I was an instructor for Biology of Human Behavior (ANTH143) and Forensic Science (ANTH246), and I have been a TA for Forensic Anthropology (ANTH346), Biological Anthropology (ANTH240), Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (MCB244 and MCB246), and Introduction to Anthropology (ANTH101). I also guest lectured for Human Biological Variation (ANTH241), Biological Anthropology and Introduction to Anthropology.
Education
2021 PhD in Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2020 Graduate Minor in Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2016 MA in Physical Anthropology, New York University
2013 MS in Forensic Medicine, National Taiwan University
2008 BS in Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnoloy, National Cheng-Kung University
2020 Graduate Minor in Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2016 MA in Physical Anthropology, New York University
2013 MS in Forensic Medicine, National Taiwan University
2008 BS in Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnoloy, National Cheng-Kung University
Awards, Grants, and Honors
2022 - Short-term Visiting Scholarship ($1,000), American Association for Anatomy
2022 - Course Hero Teaching Grant ($2,000), Course Hero
2022 - Universal Design for Learning Course Redesign Award ($500), Truman State University
2021 - Present - Forensic Sciences Foundation Kenneth S. Field Grant ($1,000), Forensic Sciences Foundation
2021 - Demitri B. Shimkin Graduate Student Paper Award, Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2021, 2018 - (Spring) List of Teacher Ranked Excellent, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2021 - Conference Presentation Award, Graduate College, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2021, 2018 - Pollitzer Student Award, American Association of Biological Anthropologists
2021 - AAA Student Registration Award, American Association for Anatomy
2021 - SSE Membership Award, Society for the Study of Evolution
2021 - Anthropology Section Diversity and Inclusion Award, American Academy of Forensic Sciences
2020 - Graduate Teaching Certificate, Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2020 - 2022- Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant ($11,687), National Science Foundation
2017, 2018, 2020 - Conference Travel Fund ($250 each), Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2019 - 2021- Dissertation Fieldwork Grant ($9,335), Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research
2019 - Dissertation Travel Award ($3,931), Graduate College, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2017 - Summer Research Assistance Award ($3,000), Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2016 - Meeting Travel Fund ($250), Masters Program in Physical Anthropology, New York University
2022 - Course Hero Teaching Grant ($2,000), Course Hero
2022 - Universal Design for Learning Course Redesign Award ($500), Truman State University
2021 - Present - Forensic Sciences Foundation Kenneth S. Field Grant ($1,000), Forensic Sciences Foundation
2021 - Demitri B. Shimkin Graduate Student Paper Award, Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2021, 2018 - (Spring) List of Teacher Ranked Excellent, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2021 - Conference Presentation Award, Graduate College, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2021, 2018 - Pollitzer Student Award, American Association of Biological Anthropologists
2021 - AAA Student Registration Award, American Association for Anatomy
2021 - SSE Membership Award, Society for the Study of Evolution
2021 - Anthropology Section Diversity and Inclusion Award, American Academy of Forensic Sciences
2020 - Graduate Teaching Certificate, Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2020 - 2022- Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant ($11,687), National Science Foundation
2017, 2018, 2020 - Conference Travel Fund ($250 each), Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2019 - 2021- Dissertation Fieldwork Grant ($9,335), Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research
2019 - Dissertation Travel Award ($3,931), Graduate College, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2017 - Summer Research Assistance Award ($3,000), Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2016 - Meeting Travel Fund ($250), Masters Program in Physical Anthropology, New York University
