Alisha Palmer (Class of 2022)

Alisha Palmer graduated from USA with a major in Anthropology and Biomedical Sciences minor. Her favorite class was the Archaeology Field School with Dr. Erin Nelson, where she discovered a passion for hands-on archaeology. This experience deepened her appreciation for fieldwork and allowed her to assist with pottery analysis. This opened the door for publications, conference opportunities, and networking. Alisha also participated in a study abroad program with the College of Allied Health, entitled “Partners in Caring: Medicine in Kenya.” This experience fueled her passion for anthropology and healthcare. After graduation, she was hired to work on the I-10 Mobile River Bridge Project, where she performed a variety of tasks including processing artifacts, conducting oral histories, and engaging in public outreach.

Alisha is a current PhD student in cultural anthropology at the University of Florida, with a concentration in medical anthropology and women’s studies. Her research interests revolve around infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiences in Tanzania. Her ethnographic research will combine participant observations, interviews, and photovoice to understand how women are navigating their sociocultural spaces and the healthcare system while experiencing infertility. Alisha credits her time at South Alabama for helping her build meaningful connections across the subfields of anthropology and for guiding her towards a career path she deeply enjoys. She is especially passionate about teaching, sharing the intersections of anthropology and healthcare with undergraduate students and the broader public.