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Binghamton University’s Department of Anthropology hosted a World Humanity Day celebration on February 15, where 12 archeology and biological anthropology labs in three science buildings showcased the department’s full range of scholarly work.
Featured research focuses on plants (paleoanthropology), animals (zooarchaeology), remote sensing and historical analysis, skeletal analysis (osteology), forensic anthropology, and human genetics, to name a few. This is a research laboratory. Professors shared their research topics and the opportunities that await curious students in the wide world of anthropology.
The Anthropometrics and Biomarkers Lab allows students interested in biology to learn about biological biology, exosystems, and biomarkers in the field of biological anthropology. Associate Professor Katherine Wonder led the presentation in Science 2’s new lab.
“I’m interested in the whole organism, what can be said about inflammation in this individual and iron deficiency in this individual,” Wonder said. “I’m interested in characterizing how much inflammation is occurring in this individual and how that affects fertility and health.”
Examining patterns in this information can further advance research in identifying biological changes, assessing disease risk, and contributing to public health advances. Wonder will be offering a new lab course in the fall called “Biomarkers: Measurement and Interpretation.” This course provides an in-depth understanding of how biomarkers are measured and why we use them.
“Biomarkers are easy to measure things that give system-level interpretation,” she said.
If students are interested in excavating artifacts and piecing together their place in our shared history, they may be inclined to visit the Public Archaeological Facility (PAF) in Science 1 . Scattered throughout the room were artifacts unearthed from around the Northeast, including rusted cannonballs. From the French and Indian War to stone tools discovered in the Susquehanna River.
“It’s really amazing to dig a hole and find something that people haven’t touched for hundreds or thousands of years,” said Kara Jonas, a doctoral student.
In addition to providing cultural resource management services to its clients, PAF also offers community-based programs and a lab open to student volunteers.
“What I really love is working with local communities[on the ground]. Getting their opinions and perspectives completely changes the stories you can tell and the questions you can ask,” Jonas said.
This summer, Maria O’Donovan, director of the Master of Public Anthropology program, will host an archaeological field school in Broome County, giving students the opportunity to learn a variety of archeology skills and earn six credits. To do.
“Archaeology is a wonderful combination of history and science,” O’Donovan says. For students who may be on the fence about anthropology, she offered some advice on where to start. You are interested in anthropology as a whole, but if so, please tell us specifically what you are interested in. ”
In Professor Rolf Quam’s paleoanthropology laboratory, animal skeletons and the skulls of human ancestors were prominently displayed. A degree in paleoanthropology gives students the opportunity to understand the wonders of human evolution by examining ancient fossils.
“I really enjoy learning about human evolution, but also the ability to travel and dig,” says Kai Kakkabari (MA ’23), a doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant. “There’s a lot of biochemistry in this field, but just looking at bones can only get you so far, so we rely heavily on biochemistry to understand relationships, not just look at morphology. ”
Biochemistry is an important part of investigating the past and is used in a variety of ways in anthropological research. Students can investigate the developmental growth of fossils in conjunction with human evolution while utilizing other tools such as CT scans.
“If you like biochemistry and human evolution, you might want to go to graduate school,” Kakkavalli says.
Lecturer Lubna Omar’s Archaeological Analysis Laboratory is dedicated to the study of human-animal interactions through bone remains. Through zooarchaeology, students can piece together small bone fragments to create a vivid picture of the lives of different animals.
“This is a kind of field for people with a certain kind of skill. The bones are fragmented, so you have to be obsessed with solving complex puzzles,” Omar said.
She said the research is closely related to the work of archaeologists, as excavations have uncovered many bones from ancient garbage dumps.
“The Department of Cultural Heritage usually hires zoo archaeologists like me to help with the job, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to understand what happened on site,” she explained.
In the Archaeological Education Laboratory, Assistant Professor Sébastien Lacombe studies people of the past by analyzing ancient technology. Students in his lab can also investigate the social meaning and purpose of creating these technologies and look at cultural changes across different periods of human evolutionary history.
“Anthropology is everywhere. Do you want to be a doctor? Biological anthropology. Do you want to work for the Park Service? Archeology,” Lacombe said. “It’s the human side that sets us apart.”
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