AnthroBiology Podcast

Dr. Janna Andronowski of Memorial University of Newfoundland talks about bone histology. We're bringing it back to basics with how bones grow, how they "know" what shape they should be, and how bones regulate themselves. Also, we discuss what a cellular examination of bone can tell you about a person. Visit the  Andronowski Lab  to learn more about her work. Find links to articles, books, and pics...

Dr. Nathan Young of UCSF discuss evolutionary developmental biology using the limb as a model to understand the perspective. We talk about the importance of marrying all three disciplines to discover insights that otherwise wouldn't be within the purview of a single field. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com. Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology.

Dr. Eric Bartelink of CSU - Chico guides us through an intro to stable isotope analysis, and how it can be used in forensic and historic or ancient contexts to understand how people migrated and what their diets were like. Dr. Bartelink highlights the importance of embracing a multi-disciplinary approach to advancing anthropology. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com. Find...

Dr. Sean Tallman talks about crafting new sex estimation methods for modern populations and the importance of DEI in forensics and anthropology. How can diversity shift how research is done? What are some ways to make the field more inclusive? Listen to Dr. Tallman's take on all of it in this episode. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com. Find the show on Instagram and Twit...

Dr. Barbara J. King joins us in this week's episode to discuss animal cognition and emotion. Along the way, we hear about her start in biological anthropology studying baboons and how her career shifted several times to focus on animal cognition more broadly, followed by a turn towards advocacy and science communication. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com. Find the show o...

Chris Aris is a PhD candidate at the University of Kent in the UK. In this week's episode, we discuss grad school survival strategies, mental health, the differences between the US and UK grad school systems, choosing the right path for you, and some of the things we wish we'd known before we went to grad school. Plus, teeth!  Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com. Find the...

Jill McCormick is a historic preservation officer working for the Quechan Tribe near Yuma, Arizona. This week, she joins the show to discuss what it's like to be an archaeologist trying to preserve Tribal history, Tribal perspectives on working with CRM archaeology firms, and how folks can get involved if they're interested. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com. Find the sh...

Meet Chris Webster, a CRM archaeologist, anthropology podcast mogul, and all-around hustler. He joins the show to give a different perspective on making a career out of anthropology and what it's like to work in commercial settings as a cultural resource management archaeologist. Webster also discusses what it's like working with biological anthropologists and tribal monitors. Find links to articl...

Dr. Tanya Smith of Griffith University talks about teeth -- everything from individual development to using teeth to understand past environments and lifestyles. She also discusses some of the cultural practices surrounding teeth. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com. Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology

Dr. Daniel Lieberman of Harvard talks about considering human evolution through adaptations to run. He also explains mismatch diseases and the types of preventative care we can take to keep ourselves healthy. We also chat about diversity and the importance of including your study population in your work.  Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com. Find the show on Instagram and...

Dr. David Raichlen of USC talks about using evolutionary biology to understand modern health consequences. For example, can aerobic exercise paired with mental stimulation result in the formation of neurons? If so, why? And how can we apply that information to helping modern humans live healthier lives? Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com . Find the show on Instagram and T...

I couldn't get up the gumption to edit an interview this week. Instead, I put together a list of things that we can do right now to help. I'm also making a commitment to ensure more diversity and more active discussion of race on the show. You can find links to learn more about Black Lives Matter on the website at AnthroBiology.com .

Dr. John Verano of Tulane University wades into forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. He discusses some of the realities of working with the recently deceased before switching gears to talk about a giant sacrifice site that he's been working on in Peru. Plus, find out what mummies smell like. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter...

Dr. Sara Becker of UC - Riverside studies the Tiwanaku culture of Lake Titicaca. She specializes in understanding hierarchy and labor patterns via physical activity markers on the bone. She also has some sound advice for acclimating to high elevations. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology!

Dr. Bill Billeck is the program manager for the National Museum of Natural History repatriation office at the Smithsonian. Dr. Billeck explains how repatriation works and what it's like working with tribes. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology!

Dr. Katharine Jack of Tulane University talks about non-human primates, reproductive strategies, and what to do if you run into a capuchin in the wild. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology!

Dr. Carlina de la Cova of the University of South Carolina discusses forensic anthropology, historical bioarchaeology focusing on marginalized groups, and the overlap between the two. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology!

Dr. Scott Williams of NYU talks about transitional fossils, the evolution of different forms of locomotion, old books, and new ideas. Find links to articles, books, and pics at AnthroBiology.com . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology!

Dr. Sara Juengst of UNC - Charlotte talks about bioarchaeology, trepanation, pre-Columbian Titicacans, power structures detected via human remains, field work, and potatoes. Find links to articles and books at AnthroBiology.com . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology!

Dr. Rachel Watkins of American University talks about the current state of race in biological anthropology. We discuss the importance of diversity and problems the field is currently facing. Find a link to her article at AnthroBiology.com .

Dr. Levy talks about cold adaption in ancient and modern populations. She explains the three-part system that helps keep us warm: cultural adaptions, short-term changes in the body, and evolutionary changes to the body's structures. Along the way, we discuss Bergmann's Rule and Allen's Rule. Both help to explain why groups living in certain climates have the proportions they do. Dr. Levy also shar...

Some anthropologists try to reconstruct activities during life by using changes to the skeleton. Dr. Wilczak talks about occupational stress markers in this episode, along with providing advice for folks thinking about majoring in anthropology.

What can we actually know about the evolutionary past? Dr. Wood grapples with this question and others about the nature of science. The professor also gives some valuable advice for students along the way. Visit anthrobiology.com for show notes and book recs.