2026 Student Research Conference | Presentation Abstracts

Master's Student

Abstract
Settlement by Euroamericans in Northern Texas began in the mid 1800s with many early arrivals earning or purchasing the title to their land. As time moved towards the turn of the century and more people began to arrive in Northern Texas many farmers became unable to purchase their own land and worked as tenants giving up a share of the crops they produced to a landlord. Historical documentation attests to a noticeable difference in the socioeconomic status of landlord and tenant in the South around the turn of the century. My thesis research tests the difference of economic consumption between landowner and tenant to see if socioeconomic status created different purchasing patterns. For this research I have examined the vessel glass assemblages, identifying the total number and types of vessels present, from six historic sites which date from the 1850s through the mid 20th century. Four of these sites were houses rented by tenants and two sites were houses owned and occupied by the same landowner families. During this presentation I will be sharing and comparing preliminary results from several of these sites.

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
International graduate students face disproportionate levels of academic burnout shaped by institutional pressures, cultural dislocation, and visa insecurity. This ethnographic study examines the lived experiences of burnout among Bangladeshi graduate students at Texas State University, an understudied yet representative international student group. Drawing on semi structured interviews and participant observation, the research reveals how the university’s accelerated Run to R1 initiative intensifies academic workloads, heightens funding insecurity, and exacerbates stress. Participants described burnout as a cumulative condition emerging from academic expectations, cultural isolation, gendered norms, and troubled interpersonal relationships. Visa insecurity further compounds emotional distress, influencing major life decisions, family dynamics, and long term planning. Coping strategies ranged from community engagement and recreational activities to spiritual practices and limited use of counseling services, though stigma and accessibility barriers persist. Grounded in anthropological theories of embodiment, institutional culture, and transnational mobility, this study demonstrates that burnout is not merely an individual psychological state but a structural and sociocultural phenomenon. The findings recommend the need for culturally responsive mental health support, more equitable institutional policies, and greater recognition of the unique vulnerabilities of international graduate students. 

Master's Student

Abstract
Three-dimensional printing and scanning technologies have appeared as potentially beneficial tools in cultural heritage repatriation, yet their application is still underutilized in practice and contested in theory. This thesis examines the feasibility of employing 3D replication as an intermediate step in repatriation negotiations through a case study of Ixtutz Hieroglyphic Bench 1, a Late Classic Maya monument taken from Guatemala, with pieces residing in situ, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and in a private gallery in Belgium. The project employed 3D scanning and printing technologies to produce physical replicas of the piece located in Belgium. Results from the applied methods show that contemporary 3D scanning and printing methods can capture sufficient sculptural detail to create near-identical replicas for research and display purposes, with only minor issues arising from the printers themselves.

Ph.D. Student 

Abstract
Dental modification has been well-documented from the coast of Ecuador, with practices including elaborate dental inlays and incisions. However, few examples come from recently excavated or well-provenienced sites, making the antiquity and changing significance of dental modification unclear. This paper presents a synthesis of known examples and types of dental modification from Ecuador, and recommendations for future study of South American dental modification. First, we will discuss the different styles of known Ecuadorian dental modifications, how they may vary by region, and the changes of styles over time. Then, we compare these examples from Peru, Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica. We suggest that dental modification was much more common in northwestern South America compared to the Central and Southern Andes or Amazonian lowlands. We also argue that it may be necessary to develop a South American chart of dental modification styles as the standard chart developed by Romero (1978) does not capture the diversity of South American dental modification.

Master's Student

Abstract
Yelling, fighting, hitting, restraining orders, jail? Dance Moms offers a dramatic portrayal of moms in the world of children’s competitive dance. But what is it actually like to be a dance mom during competition? Using a multi-method approach, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and survey data, this study examines how moms and those who occupy the mom role show support within a fast-paced and highly competitive environment. Findings highlight how these women cultivate a sense of community not only for their children, but also for themselves. Discussing these lipstick-sharing, dressing-room hyping, feral-screaming moms of the competitive dance world gives another view of the moms of the dance world.

Undergraduate Student 

Abstract
“Werewolves in media have taken many forms over the centuries. These interpretations all have deep roots in a long standing history of tales and culture. Using historical background and various forms of “monster theory” these interpretations can be analyzed within their own original contexts. These origins provide background for how we view portray them now in pop culture, and where these traits came from. While the love for the monstrous lycanthrope can be appreciated there are certain factors that should be acknowledged within their past in order for the genre to move forward. This essay is meant to serve as an analysis of werewolf history as well as a critique of the genre.”

Undergraduate Student

Abstract
Understanding the morphology of the post cranial skeletons of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) is something that is vital to understanding how chimpanzees' environments, nutrition, and habitats affect their skeletal makeup. However, there are large inconsistencies across the field of anthropology addressing our knowledge of the chimpanzee pelvis and how important it is to understanding our closest living relatives. The goal for this study is to figure out how the events of everyday life for a male chimpanzee leads to bilateral asymmetry observable after death. During my research period I looked at 16 features on a pelvis that belonged to a male chimpanzee who was wild born in Sierra Leone and was subsequently caught for biomedical research. For each of the 16 features on the pelvis I took 10 measurements and then averaged them accordingly. It was found that although my first impression of the pelvis was that it would be symmetrical, it proved to be that the pelvis has a majority right side bias.

Master's Student

Abstract
First languages are acquired, but second languages are learned. With learning new languages, especially as an adult, the time and effort for mastery can be extensive. With this burden of time and effort, there is always the search for an easier, quicker method. The presence of recognizable cognates in the typical speech of most North Americans is a daily occurrence. From our first words in the morning until we lay our heads to rest at the end of the day, we as English speakers will be using cognates on a constant basis. In German, the phrase “guten morgen” appears to be a cognate of the well-used English phrase “good morning”, and so goes the use of cognates throughout the day and into the night when English speakers say “good night” and German speakers say "gute nacht". The result of the highly used commonalities between English and several other languages places cognates in a favorable position to be used as a common tool for teaching a new language, and as a valuable tool for rapidly gaining communication skills in a non-native language, short of language fluency. Cognates can and do represent a favorable tool for teaching and learning languages.

Ph.D. Student and Mentors

Abstract
In West Africa, savanna landscapes are characterized by low annual rainfall and high temperatures. Ecological changes can drive shifts in the presence and richness of bacteria, which can affect an individual's gut microbiome, nutrition, immunity, and behavior. Previous research on primates suggests that gut bacteria composition will fluctuate seasonally, but a baseline standard for savanna chimpanzees remains unpublished. To describe how primates and nature interact in Senegalese savannas, we are investigating if dry habitats pose their own exclusive microbial patterns using West African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) gut microbiome data. Bacteria data was extracted from 314 fecal samples collected in 2020 - 2024 from savanna chimpanzees at Fongoli (159 in dry season, 139 in wet season, 16 in transition periods). Analyses of seasonality, climate and life history patterns were statistically compared using Kruskal Wallis with post hoc tests of alpha diversity metrics. Results demonstrate increased microbial loads in wet and transition months. However, beta diversity tests suggest season is a modest predictor of bacteria composition. Post hoc tests revealed strong variations between month-to-month comparisons, which illuminates the effects of short temporal availability of resources. Analyses revealed no significant effects of age and sex on bacteria richness and evenness. Next steps will investigate the effects of diet and space use.

Master's Student

Abstract
Deadheads have utilized live concerts as jam-band havens to experience the phenomena of the Grateful Dead. It is a space for shared beliefs, ways of living, and fans of the music to exist in a safe space. For decades, Deadhead culture has maintained a strong sense of community despite changes to the band and its performances. Drawing on participant observation at Dead & Company performances and semi-structured interviews with fans, I focus on practices such as gifting, miracle tickets, creative expression, and communal dancing. By framing concerts as liminal spaces, this study demonstrates how ritual practice sustains community identity and value systems within the Deadhead subculture.

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
Learn about disability inclusion confidence and how to build different types of accessibility into event planning. This was a project deliverable in conjunction with two Central Texas non-profits, Splash Coworking and DisABILITYsa, as an event for the Central Texas Learning Festival.

This presentation discusses the different models of viewing disability, the importance of language use, marketing considerations, and physical event space considerations. The main objective of this presentation is to provide awareness about the responsibility people have to communities when planning events. 

Ph.D. Student and Mentors

Abstract 
Inquiry-based learning using archaeology helps elementary students practice careful observation, ask questions using evidence, and consider more than one interpretation. An inquiry-based Grades 3-5 unit was developed using the Fate Bell Shelter rock paintings in the Lower Pecos region of Texas. The lessons introduce students to the earliest people of Texas while focusing on cultural heritage and protecting the land. The unit follows Project Archaeology’s Investigating Rock Art model and uses the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework to organize instruction around essential questions and a final performance task. Students work with three rock art data sources: a panel photograph, a color-enhanced image, and an artist’s sketch. They practice observation, evidence-based questioning, and interpretation. A paint-order investigation (black, red, orange, yellow, white) is used to explore how the mural may have been created. Short readings provide regional context and introduce hunter-gatherer customs. Activities include making models of rock carvings and paintings as well as using a T-chart to compare different ideas. Materials include a complete curriculum and assessment package with a word bank, sample responses, a performance-task scoring guide, and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards alignment, prepared for classroom piloting. By using archaeological evidence as the learning context, the unit supports elementary instruction in heritage education, place-based learning, and inquiry.

Ph.D. Student and Mentor

Abstract
Age-at-death estimation remains a significant component of the biological profile in forensic anthropology. Nonetheless, the current methods lack statistical rigor and mostly rely on morphological assessments. Therefore, this project emphasizes using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) as a reliable quantitative method for analyzing bone chemistry and estimating age-at-death. Building on a previously presented pilot study, this project expands the sample size and the range of variation. Bone samples were collected from 64 individuals in the Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection. The samples were evenly divided between males and females and across eight age groups ranging from 18 to 103 years old. For each individual, 3-5 mg of bone powder was analyzed using an FTIR Bruker Alpha II at the Core Research Operations laboratory at Texas State University. During analysis, six commonly used FTIR indices were evaluated: crystallinity index, mineral-to-matrix ratio, collagen content, carbonate-to-phosphate ratio, and the content of carbonate type A and type B. The data was collected and pre-processed in the open-source software Spectragryph and statistically investigated in RStudio. This project is ongoing and will be further expanded. This poster will present the results of the 64 femoral samples. 

Master's Student

Abstracts
This study evaluates the effectiveness of reflective ultraviolet (UVR) photography as a tool in documenting outdoor death scenes. While UVR imaging has been widely used in forensic contexts to detect biological materials, its application in mapping decomposition-related soil changes remains underexplored. This research compares UVR photography to standard visible-light imaging using quantitative pixel value analysis to assess contrast between CDI soil and the surrounding environment.

Undergraduate Student

Abstract
My poster will focus on investigating and presenting evidence regarding a massacre in Southwestern Germany. This will expose on LBK culture, warfare, and family ties and structures. 

Master's Students

Abstract
Science communication is increasingly being utilized by the scientific community to convey science to the general public. This project highlights evolution in action through the lens of disease history and the ways human evolution has shaped our modern environment and genetic makeup. Using Instagram as a tool to engage the general public, we outline the evolutionary trade-off theory, the red queen theory, and the epidemiological transition theory, as well as diseases that are the result of evolutionary trade-off. This program aims to increase knowledge on evolutionary processes related to modern disease through engaging in science communication. 

Master's Students

Abstract
Clickbait science refers to the use of misleading or exaggerated headlines regarding scientific topics to increase the traction an article receives. While these headlines may appear exciting, they often contribute to widespread misinformation about scientific findings, creating inaccurate narratives and public misunderstandings of research. Biological anthropology topics, including human evolution and forensic anthropology, are often targets of clickbait science due to their public interest and potential for sensational interpretation. Although this project focuses on examples from biological anthropology, the issues discussed are relevant across scientific disciplines. The goal of this project is to emphasize the importance of thinking about science critically and analytically by providing resources that help audiences identify clickbait science, understand how misleading reporting can distort scientific findings, and learn strategies for communicating scientific findings accurately and responsibly. Improving public engagement with science requires not only accessible communication but also careful interpretation of research claims. Encouraging critical evaluation of scientific information can help reduce the spread of misinformation and support a more accurate understanding of scientific research.

Master's Students

Abstract
The purpose of this project is to provide US teachers with educational resources for teaching human evolution and paleoanthropology. Successful education of human evolution starts at an early age, with students understanding the nature of science principles and applying those principles to critical topics. The goal of this curriculum is to introduce students to the main concepts of human evolution and increase their understanding of evolution, by building upon lessons throughout their K-12 experience. Each lesson plan includes a mix of readings, worksheets, videos, activities, and labs to educate students about human evolution through comparative morphology, forces of evolution, and ecological change. These modules will be organized into a manual divided by age group, starting with primate locomotion and ending with hominin classification. At the end of these lessons, students should be able to understand the chronology of human evolution and the different factors that have shaped Homo sapiens. Additionally, these lesson plans are meant to be accessible for classrooms of different ages and resources. Teachers will be able to incorporate the lessons that feel appropriate for their classroom to fit public and private school district standards.

Master's Student and Mentors

Abstract
Mechanical forces cause strain on the bone, which leads to changes in trabecular and cortical bone structural properties. Load is not distributed evenly between the two plateaus, with a greater amount of load observed on the medial plateau during the loading phases of the gait cycle. Obese individuals adopt a wider stance during gait that increases loading on the medial condyle. Areas with high trabecular bone content are more metabolically active, so changes in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) are likely to occur earlier in those areas, like the proximal tibia. The purpose of this research is to determine how the biomechanical burden of obesity affects the tibial plateau's BMD. The BMD and Tissue Mineral Density (TMD) for the medial and lateral sides were found to be insignificant after T-tests. The medial Bone Volume (BV) had a true difference in means between BMI groups. A DFA was performed, and the probability of group membership is 50% for both BMI groups. The Medial BMD, Lateral BMD, and Medial TMD contribute the most to the DFA. Using K-means clustering, they did not cluster fully into their original groups, but they clustered cleanly compared to the high variance I found in assumptions testing.

Master's Student

Abstract
This study offers a brief analysis of a portion of the ceramic assemblage recovered from excavations at Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Specifically, the materials examined relate to leisure activities within the garrison. These artifacts serve as evidence of activities such as drinking, gaming, and tobacco use. Additionally, they highlight aspects of individual agency and decision-making. The study places the recovered materials in context to understand the availability of imported goods, the repurposing of ceramics, and associated social dynamics.

Ph.D. Student and Mentors

Abstract
Population affinity methods often underperform in highly admixed groups. This limitation impacts forensic identification in Brazil, where high admixture levels have been present for centuries. This study is a part of a broader dissertation project to test the performance and reliability of geometric morphometrics and quantitative genetics methods to understand human cranial variation and improve forensic efforts in Brazil. The sample consists of 190 individuals from the Centro de Estudos em Antropologia Forense (CEAF) and 86 three-dimensional coordinate cranial landmarks. Missing data were imputed via an iterative robust model-based approach. Variations were quantified using Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and R-matrix analysis. Preliminary findings suggest high within-group variance in the CEAF sample, as expected in modern populations with a history of high gene flow. Individuals had lower between-group differences with European and North African populations. There were subtle temporal patterns of cranial variation within the CEAF sample. Variation was greater in facial landmarks, particularly around the zygomatic and nasal regions. This pilot supports the sensitivity of these methods in detecting population structure despite high levels of admixture. These results provide a methodological basis for studying migration, admixture, and microevolutionary processes in complex populations, like Brazil. 

Master's Student and Mentors

Abstract
When commingled human remains are found in an assemblage, it is the responsibility of forensic anthropologists to determine the minimum number of decedents present and to separate the bones according to the individuals to whom each bone belongs. However, smaller bones are often overlooked in this process, as they can be more difficult to reassociate and may be viewed as less important than the long bones despite being just as much a part of the body. Here I demonstrate an assessment of a method for reassociating and pair-matching commingled ankle bones, specifically the tali and naviculars. The goal of this assessment is to determine the utility of talo-navicular osteometrics in identifying when these bones are from the same individuals within an assemblage. Furthermore, tests conducted on a sample with higher demographic diversity compared to one with lower diversity shed light on whether osteometrics can be applied to an assemblage with less human variation. These results demonstrate rates of accurate matches among commingled individuals and whether osteometrics become less reliable depending on the demographics of the individuals in the sample. These findings can inform how to adapt approaches when dealing with commingled assemblages in a variety of contexts.