2022 REU Fellows

Name: Laura Allen

University/College: University of New Hampshire

Year: Junior

A bit about me: I’m from the North Fork of Long Island, and I am studying anthropology and earth science at UNH. I play three instruments: the bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone. I had wanted to major in genetics for the longest time since I was interested in the genetics of early humans, but when I had the opportunity to take a biological anthropology class my senior year of high school, I jumped on it! Since then, it has become my world! I intend to eventually get my Ph.D. in the subject, though I am torn on what I want to focus on. I am so glad to be a part of this REU as it offers a valuable experience that I will use in the future and aid in narrowing down which topic I would like to specialize in during grad school.

Fun fact: At my first job, I was the emcee for pig races.

What is your favorite bone, and why?: My favorite bone is the ulna! I love the crescent-like shape of the proximal end, as well as how perfectly it articulates with the humerus!

Name: Janeth Cabañas

University/College: University of California, Berkley

Pronouns: She/They

Year: Junior

A bit about me: Hello, I’m Janeth and I am currently an Anthropology major with a minor in Disability Studies at UC Berkeley. I grew up in Los Angeles, California around the Westlake Macarthur park region, and am a first-generation college student and daughter of immigrant parents from Hidalgo, Mexico! Growing up I always had an interest in the skeletal system, and upon taking an introductory biological anthropology course at Cal, I loved it. I became interested in the interdisciplinary nature that bioarchaeology had to offer and saw it as an insightful way of storytelling past individuals’ life courses. I then took osteology and paleopathology courses with amazing anthropology instructors that intensified this passion. With my heavy interest, Professor Agarwal then recommended that I apply to this REU program to further my knowledge.
In the future, I plan to attend graduate school and make my way into forensic anthropology or bioarchaeology.

Fun fact:I can draw most of 206 bones by memory. Because of this, I plan to publish a book containing my own hand-drawn illustrations for educational purposes!

What is your favorite bone, and why?: The trapezoid bone located in the hand !! To me, it looks like a tiny boot with a zipper, and that is why it’s my favorite.

 

Name: Sarah Caminito

University/College: University of Pennsylvania

Pronouns: She/Her

Year: Senior, Class of 2023

A bit about me: Hi! I grew up in central New Jersey (yes, it exists), but now I live in Philadelphia, where I attend the University of Pennsylvania. When I started college, I was on track for medical school, but an archaeological science course in the Penn Museum changed my mind. I’m currently majoring in anthropology with a minor in classical studies. My personal research focuses on orangutans with broken and re-healed long bones. I am studying asymmetry to learn about how they were able to survive in the wild after a debilitating injury. In my free time, I love crocheting, hiking, and playing Guitar Hero. I was excited to apply to this REU because of my interest in bioarchaeology. After I complete my undergraduate degree, I’m looking forward to graduate school for bioarch.

Fun fact: This picture was taken at Glacier National Park in front of Grinnell Glacier. During the hike down I ran into a longhorn sheep on the trail!

What is your favorite bone, and why?: My favorite bone is the femur since my research started with the femoral neck. It’s what first got me interested in bioarchaeology.

Name: Madison Hull

University/College: Dickinson College

Pronouns: She/Her

Year: Junior

A bit about me: Hi there! I’m Maddy and I’m from South Whitley, Indiana. I’m a double major in anthropology and Spanish. During the upcoming school year I’ll be studying
abroad in Spain, Ecuador, and Argentina, where I plan to take anthropology classes to gain a more global perspective on the field. I’m particularly interested in bioarchaeology, which is what led my advisor to recommend this REU program to me–and I’m so excited to be participating! When I return to Dickinson for senior year I will write my theses and apply for graduate school, where I hope to pursue bioarchaeology. I’m always reading or listening to an audiobook; sci-fi is my favorite genre, and I plan to write my Spanish thesis about it.

Fun fact: I interned for the Indiana Department of Historical Preservation and Archaeology for a summer!

What is your favorite bone, and why?: The femur. I know everyone says the femur, but that doesn’t make it less cool.

Name: Angelique Jean Lindberg

University/College: Boston University

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: Junior

A bit about me: Hi, I’m Angelique! While I’m originally from Minnesota, I’ve lived in California for about a decade. I wanted to return to a state with actual seasons so I decided to attend college on the east coast and ended up choosing BU! As a double major in biological anthropology and archaeology, I’m planning to pursue graduate studies in bioarchaeology. This REU is going to be the first time I’m really able to apply myself to bioarchaeology specifically so I’m very excited. I’m particularly interested in exploring the role of storytelling and fiction in both archaeological outreach and in the research process of archaeology. To that end, I’m working on a project, in collaboration with an indigenous Maya community in Guatemala, to write several fictional graphic novels aimed at teaching younger children about archaeology. In my free time, you will probably find me crocheting or reading and writing poetry.

Fun fact: I can quote most of Criminal Minds from memory.

What is your favorite bone, and why?: My favorite bone is the patella because it is the largest sesamoid bone in the body (a sesamoid bone is a bone embedded in the tendons surrounding a joint). Also, it’s really easy and fun to identify which side of the body a patella is from.

Name: Caden Rijal

University/College: Wellesley College

Pronouns: no pronoun preference

Year: Senior, Class of 2023

A bit about me: Hi, I’m Caden! I was born and (half) raised in Nepal. After my family immigrated to the U.S., we moved frequently before settling down in Austin, TX. I am an anthropology major and psychology minor. My first year of college, I enrolled in courses from many departments, but was undecided about what I wanted to major in. When I completed Introduction to Archaeology fall of sophomore year, I knew I wanted to major in anthropology. Junior year, I took a bioarchaeology course and realized that I am interested in bioarchaeology more specifically. Currently, I am planning on applying to graduate school in the fall to study bioarchaeology. My hobbies include reading (fantasy, memoir, historical fiction), running, and photography (portrait, landscape, architectural).

Fun fact: I went to four different schools for the first grade and nine different schools for kindergarten through 12th grade.

What is your favorite bone, and why?: My favorite bones are the ribs because they are fun and easy to side.

Name: Abby Sargent

University/College: University of South Alabama

Pronouns: She/Her

Year: Sophomore, Class of 2025

A bit about me: Hi, I’m Abby! I’m from Pensacola, Florida, but I spent my childhood moving between several states in the southern US. As a student here at South, I’m pursuing dual degrees in Anthropology and English. In my free time, I love to read, write, crochet, and watch any kind of show with a fantastical or mysterious element. Reading and writing have always been passions of mine, but my interest in anthropology wasn’t sparked until I took a course with Dr. Gregoricka last fall. I immediately fell in love with the archaeological aspect of the field. When I heard about this REU opportunity, I knew I had to apply. Despite this program being my first real experience with hands-on anthropology, I have a feeling that bioarchaeology is going to play a large part in my future.

Fun fact: When I was nine years old, I almost broke my back playing Wii archery.

What is your favorite bone, and why?: My favorite bone has to be the mandible. It always brings to mind those pictures of grinning skeletons that you see next to cheesy bone jokes.

Name: Sarajane Smith-Escudero

University/College: University of Notre Dame

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: Senior

A bit about me: Hello! My name is Sarajane, but most people call me Sj. I grew up in a border town called Laredo, Texas, ten minutes away from the Rio Grande. I always wanted to go far away from home for college, and that’s how I ended up at Notre Dame in Indiana, originally wanting to go to medical school after interning at my county’s medical examiner’s office; however, after taking anthropology courses to supplement my then pre-med track, I ended up falling in love with bioarchaeology while taking a course with Dr. Sue Sheridan. I switched my major to Anthropology, focusing in biological anthropology and bioarchaeology, and recently added a supplementary major of Latino Studies, with the hopes of going to graduate school to study forensic anthropology or bioarchaeology. I love social media, true crime, painting, cooking, and
music. I always have Airpods in, and though I love listening to reggaeton - especially Bad Bunny - if you see me, I am most likely listening to one of the 8 true crime podcasts I have in my rotation. I am so excited to participate in our REU this summer, and cannot wait to explore Arabian prehistory and bioarchaeology, and Mobile, Alabama!

Fun fact: I can do the worm - but only backwards.

What is your favorite bone, and why?: My favorite bone has to be any lumbar vertebra because I fractured the majority of mine in the eighth grade whilst passionately, albeit clumsily, playing volleyball (and that consequently doubles as a fun fact about me)! They quickly became my favorite because of the various X-rays I got to see of mine and the cool back brace I got to wear and decorate as a result of the fractures.