Smithsonian Institution

Department Member, Anthropology

Education and Outreach Specialist

About

I am a paleoanthropologist whose research focuses on the evolution of human carnivory. My PhD research was twofold: an actualistic study of free-ranging and captive carnivore bone damage and tooth mark patterning in Kenya, and a taphonomic analysis of fossil archaeofaunas from Koobi Fora, Kenya and Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. I am currently conducting modern and fossil taphonomic projects in Laikipia and Olorgesailie, Kenya (respectively); working with a team on early modern human footprints at Ngare Sero, Tanzania; and am becoming involved with (or continuing) projects in Indonesia and India.

I work at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in the Human Origins Program, where I am the Education and Outreach Specialist. I was a member of the core team for the development of the recently opened David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins. Besides my academic research, I manage website content, social media, public programming, training for exhibition-based volunteers, and other education and outreach activities for the Human Origins program. I am very dedicated to public understanding of, and engagement with, science - and am beginning to explore doing research into this field as well.

Contact Information