Digging Deeper: UAF Anthropology Research

This spring has been a season of accomplishment for two PhD students in the UAF Department of Anthropology, Courtney Clough and Miranda Ehlers. Both presented their research at the American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA) annual meeting in Baltimore last month, and Courtney was awarded a $2,500 grant from the George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology to support her dissertation work.

The AABA conference is a major event for researchers in biological anthropology, providing an invaluable platform for presenting work and connecting with peers from across the globe. At this year’s conference, Clough shared her poster, “Persistence of Enamel Proteins under Thermal Exposure: Implications for Paleoproteomic and Forensic Applications,” while Ehlers presented her research on “Advancing Proteomic Analysis of Dental Tissues: Integrating Histology and Proteomics in a Spatially Targeted Approach.”

Ehlers reflected on the significance of the experience: “Having others evaluate your work and having the opportunity to discuss its potential is very valuable.” She also emphasized the importance of direct communication with other experts in her field. “I think it was very helpful for all of us, since proteomics is a method I think will continue to grow in the field,” she said.

AABA also offered many opportunities for networking, which Ehlers took full advantage of. “During the session, I met a lot of students from all over the world conducting fascinating research. I also met some prominent researchers in dental anthropology, including two retired UAF faculty. We also had the opportunity to participate in a workshop hosted by the Dental Anthropology Association, that focused on R statistical software. They offered advice and flowcharts with dental data in mind.”

Clough’s work also received a significant boost through the Frison Institute grant, which will allow her to expand the scope of her project both materially and professionally. “Receiving this award is very meaningful for me as it highlights the significance of bioarchaeological research and the value of exploring past human experiences through innovative scientific approaches,” she said. “Funding for scientific research has become significantly less secure lately, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to continue working to contribute to our understanding of human health, stress, and the impacts of social inequality.”

Clough’s advisor, Dr. Tammy Buonasera, praised her creativity and dedication: “Courtney is an enthusiastic scholar who is always thinking of new and creative ways to apply these and other archaeometric techniques to better understand the health of people in the past.”

Clough’s research aims to broaden conversations about inequality and health—particularly regarding the Gold Rush era—but also in regions like Alaska. “This perspective is highly relevant to Alaska, a region that has similarly experienced rapid social and economic shifts driven by resource extraction and settlement,” she explained. “The methods I use in this research can be applied in nearly any context.”

Clough also acknowledged the supportive research environment at UAF, which has been instrumental in their academic development. “Mentorship from faculty and collaboration with interdisciplinary researchers have been crucial in developing my methodological experience,” Clough said. “I am also a parent, and having access to childcare facilities on campus has been a resource that I could not have done without.”

When asked what advice she’d give to students just starting out in the field, Clough encouraged openness and collaboration. “My advice for students interested in bridging scientific analysis with human history would be to embrace interdisciplinary knowledge, seek collaboration across the academic community, and not be intimidated by new methods and techniques,” she said. “It's also essential to stay connected to the human dimension of your research and not lose sight of the people whose lives and experiences you aim to better understand through your research.”

The Department of Anthropology at UAF remains dedicated to supporting a wide range of graduate research across the subfields of anthropology. From conferences and lab work to grant-funded field projects, students continue to contribute significantly to the advancement of the discipline.