ABOUT

I recently graduated with a Ph.D. from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas. I specialize in historical and industrial archaeology. In 2003 I received an M.S. in Industrial Archeology from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, and I graduated with a B.A. (Honors) from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, in 2001.

During my research I've developed skills including surveying, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and computer assisted drawing (CAD) mapping/modeling. I also have training in zooarchaeology, though I haven't performed faunal analysis in a while. I incorporated these, and other research methods in my dissertation research.

My Ph.D. study was at the site of Van Winkle's Mill, a nineteenth-century sawmill community in the Arkansas Ozarks. Field excavations took place as the University of Arkansas field school in the summer of 2005 with follow-up fieldwork during October 2005. Through this research, I determined the layout of the mill complex and the impact of the mill on the region (this is said to be the most advanced steam-powered mill in the region). In particular, excavation of the blacksmith shop helped provide an understanding of the role of the Hollow with outside communities, as well as technological skill and growth in Van Winkle's industry.

This work examined elements of industry including location, technological development, relationships with neighboring communities, and dynamics of enslaved African-Americans (later freedment) and seasonal white laborers working side-by-side.

The basis of my Masters' research was a survey of the West Point Foundry site in Cold Spring, New York. Through the incorporation of historic maps and modern survey data, I created a visualization of the growth and development of the foundry.

In addition to schoolwork, I have also taught the Archaeology Lab at the University from Fall 2003 through Spring 2005, and worked part-time at SPEARS, Inc., a local contract firm. During the academic year 2005-2006 I wrote up the site report from fieldwork at Van Winkle's Mill for Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Archeological Survey. I currently work for Summit Envirosolutions, Inc. in Carson City, Nevada.

When I get some free time I try to travel and go mountain biking and rock climbing (it's nice up at Lake Tahoe).