The theory, practice, and application of anthropology starts with the conscious consideration of the self and others viewed through the cultural and social milieu of the observer (Patterson 2021).
During my scholarship at PSU, I have successfully completed a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and a Master of Science in Biological Anthropology, specializing in morphometric forensic and molecular applications. Throughout my academic journey, I have consistently earned President’s or Dean’s List honors each term, reflecting my dedication to academic excellence.
As a participant in the McNair Scholars Program, I undertook rigorous macroscopic and analytical research, resulting in a successful symposium presentation and subsequent publication. These accomplishments are noteworthy given the backdrop of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which coincided with the first year of my MS studies and the final year of my BS program. I earned the distinction of Magna Cum Laude upon the completion of my Bachelor’s in anthropology.
The pandemic period provided invaluable experiences in effective communication through telecommunications and digital platforms. I honed my skills in video and audio recording and production, allowing me to proficiently deliver presentations in these new formats. Working closely with mentors, advisors, and professors has significantly enhanced my research proficiency and scientific writing skills.
Through engaging in research projects, collaborating with peers, seeking feedback on my work, engaging in the process of revision, and actively participating in academic events such as conferences and seminars, I have not only been able to publish my research but also effectively communicate with the academic community and my peers. This hands-on approach has provided me with valuable insights, guidance, and opportunities for growth in my academic journey.
Being part of a multidisciplinary field has allowed me to collaborate with anthropologists, sociologists, statisticians, criminologists, historians, biologists, and geneticists during my scholarship at PSU, broadening my perspective and enriching my academic experience. I have formed incredibly valuable and enriching connections with professors, mentors, and classmates in my field and cohort and am often consulted by members of my cohort and groups I am involved with on osteological finds in archaeology field contexts.
These skills are valuable in anthropological applications for analyzing skeletal remains and forming a biological profile estimation, medical fields for diagnostic and analytical purposes, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries for drug development and genetic research, criminal justice and law enforcement for crime scene investigations and forensic evidence analysis, museum and cultural heritage and preservation work, public health and epidemiology for studying disease patterns, environmental and conservation applications, education and outreach initiatives, and consulting and expert testimony in legal contexts.
Over the next five years, I aim to pursue an MD-PhD or PhD in biological anthropology, leveraging my skills in comparative human anatomy, biological and forensic anthropology, and related research methodologies. My research focus will be on HLA-B27 related skeletal modification, aiming to deepen the scientific understanding of this heritable pathology. Using evolutionary, molecular, and biological anthropological perspectives, I intend to contribute to our knowledge of the epidemiological movements of the HLA-B27 allele over time. This research will not only shed light on its historical genetic dispersion across populations but also enhance diagnostic differentials in heritable spondyloarthropathies when analyzing skeletal remains.
Autumn Baker 