I am interested in applying technical and quantitative methods to archaeological materials and sites to better identify and understand past cultural responses to and drivers of change. Much of my work involves using stable isotope analysis of organics from archaeological sites to investigate how people used the surrounding faunal landscape and to identify environmental constraints. I am also interested in spatial analysis both as a means of documenting sites and for investigating spatial aspects of cultures.

Career highlights

Retired as a fulltime academic in June 2021 and am now contributing on a part-time basis. I am currently an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Australian National University and also hold an academic affiliation at the University of Notre Dame.   Converted from dual Research Fellow/Research Lab Manager positions to fulltime Academic Fellow position in January 2017. Promoted to a Level C Research Fellow in January 2016.  Promoted to Level B Research Fellow in 2011.  Joined ANU as a  three-year Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in October 2008 and was converted to a pair of continuing appointments (Research Fellow and Research Lab Manager) in 2010. Prior to my current position, I was a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at ANU and a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the University of Wyoming Department of Geology and Geophysics. Prior to switching to archaeology, I spent 15 years working as a computer engineer for several American technology companies.

Stable isotope ratio analysis for archaeology and paleo-environmental estimation; Asian, Pacific, and North American archaeology; GIS, GPS and computer applications; Quantitative methods in archaeology; Faunal analysis; Human behavioral ecology; Human universals

BS (Michigan State), MS (Purdue), MA (ENMU), PhD (Wyoming)