Meet The Team
Co-Directors
Tara J. Cepon-Robins, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
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Education: B.A., Marquette University, 2007; M.S., University of Oregon, 2009; Ph.D., University of Oregon, 2015.
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I am interested in the effects of lifestyle and global climate change on immune system development and coevolutionary relationships between humans and parasites/pathogens. Ongoing research includes work with rural communities in the southern United States, with the Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador, and with the UCCS Gerontology Research Affiliates. My research centers around how lifestyle and environment affect disease exposure and how this affects human health.
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Theresa E. Gildner, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis.
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Education: B.S., University of Notre Dame, 2011; M.S., University of Oregon, 2013; Ph.D., University of Oregon, 2018.
I study how lifestyle variation and environmental conditions influence infectious disease risk (especially parasitic disease), and how these factors can produce and perpetuate health inequities. My work utilizes a biocultural approach, strongly rooted in life history theory, to examine how lifestyle variation influences individual physiology and immune function. I am also interested in understanding how these interactions can be used to design more effective disease intervention programs.
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Collaborators
Elizabeth Mallott
Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis
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Education: B.A., Grinnell College, 2006; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2016.
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Director, Microbial Ecology and Human Health Lab
I am interested in how social and environmental factors shape the gut microbiome, and how gut microbial plasticity influences health and fitness. My research uses a comparative approach across the primate order to examine how host-microbe relationships support energetic strategies in humans. I am also interested in the role of the gut microbiome in contributing to or reinforcing health disparities.
Samuel Urlacher
Assistant Professor in the Department of Anrhropology at Baylor Univeristy
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Education: B.S., Brown Univeristy, 2009; Ph.D., Harvard University, 2016.
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Director, Human Evolutionary Biology and Health Lab
I am an anthropologist and human evolutionary biologist with an integrative biocultural research program. My lab's primary aim is to define the evolved energetic pathways that drive variation in human development, metabolism, and health. To do so, we address a range of research questions that span the traditional disciplines of human biology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary medicine, and global health.
Courtney Manthey-Pierce
Senior Professional Research Assistant, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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Education: B.A., University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 2018; M.A., University of Colorado Denver, 2020.
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To say biological anthropology is my passion is an understatement. My name is Courtney Manthey-Pierce, and I recently earned my M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Colorado Denver. While earning my M.A. degree, I examined polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as an authentic evolutionary mismatch disorder using genome-wide association study data. I also completed a Master of Public Health Certificate in Maternal and Child Health from the Anschutz Medical Campus, focusing on nutrition and biological development.
This autumn (2021) I will begin applying to PhD programs. My goal is to further examine the impacts of maternal testosterone on the evolution of Hominin ancestors in order to gain a better understanding of the evolution of extant females’ endocrine systems and bone composition.
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Current Graduate Students
Jade Thomas
Anthropology PhD student at Washington University in St. Louis
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Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences, University of Missouri - Columbia, 2019; B.A. in Anthropology, University of Missouri - Columbia, 2019
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My name is Jade Thomas, I am a Biological Anthropology graduate student at Washington University in St. Louis under Dr. Theresa Gildner. I am most interested in researching the relationships between pathogens, inflammation, and the human immune system through the lens of evolutionary medicine and life history theory. I also hope to study how these relationships might influence the development and/or progression of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Katie Nemeth
Anthropology PhD Candidate at Washington University in St. Louis
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Education: B.S in biology, George Washington University 2019
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I study how lifestyle and environmental factors impact childhood development with a particular focus on how variation in immune function, physical activity, and food security associated with living in low-resource communities are associated with childhood bone growth. My research is grounded in life history theory and contributes to our understanding of the developmental origins of health and disease. Additionally, I have a strong interest in broadening access to science education and run regular science outreach activities with children in the communities involved in the REACH project.
Anna Samsonov
Anthropology PhD Candidate at Baylor University
Education: M.S. in Anthropology, Baylor University, 2024
B.S. in Biology, B.A. in Anthropology, University of Georgia, 2022
I am a PhD student in the Anthropology of Health program at Baylor, and am a member of the Human Evolutionary Biology and Health Lab led by Dr. Sam Urlacher. I am broadly interested in understanding how structural violence and social determinants of health are embodied. My current research focuses on how resource (food/nutrition & water) insecurity affects child health through oxidative stress, and how this dynamic may play a role in energetic and life history trade-offs.
Carlye Chaney
Carlye Chaney is an NSF SBE Postdoctoral Fellow at Washington University in St. Louis and a Preparing Future Faculty Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Missouri. She is investigating how pesticides and other environmental contaminants may influence childhood metabolic development. As part of this work, she is exploring how microbiome composition and diversity may mediate the relationship between environmental exposures and thyroid function in adolescence. Carlye received her PhD in Anthropology from Yale University in 2023, and her PhD research investigated the experiences and biological consequences of exposure to environmental contaminants among mothers and infants from Namqom, Formosa, Argentina, and New Haven, Connecticut. When not in the lab, Carlye enjoys crocheting, running, and reading fantasy / science fiction novels.
Current Undergraduate Students
Doyoon Kim
I am an undergrad at WashU studying Anthropology and Educational Studies. I am interested in learning how social and environmental factors impact health disparities with childhood development. In the future, I aim to work around healthcare and education to address inequalities in the experience of childhood.
In my free time, I am a huge fan of the Sounders, enjoy taking my dog on walks to the park, or going down to the beach.
Victoria Galina
As a WashU undergrad, Victoria has a major in Latin American Studies and minors in Global Health and Environment and Biology. In general, she is interested in the ways that social and political systems sustain injustice across the US and Latin America.
Within the REACH study, Victoria is interested in studying how parasitic infection can serve as a tool to understand embodied experiences with inequality within the wider St. Louis Region. She has a personal goal to perfect her Portuguese and she loves learning about Mexican and Brazilian food!
Regan Cannon
I am a sophomore on the pre-med track studying Anthropology: Global Health and Environment. I am passionate about the field of medical and biological anthropology and how one’s social and cultural environment shapes their physical health and perspective on medicine. Another passion of mine is language and I am pursuing a minor in both Spanish and French.
When I’m not in the classroom, you'll find me out on the field for WashU women’s soccer, cooking up a new recipe, or with my nose in a good book!
Past Student Research Assistants
Sophie Waimon
I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis studying Anthropology: Global Health and Environment with a minor in Spanish. I hope to complete an MD/MPH program in the future. I am interested in how social and Enironmental factors shape human health and am passionate about providing health care that considers the many social determinants of health.
In my free time, you'll probably find me in a theatre working tech crew for a production. I also enjoying hiking, spending time outdoors, and baking!
Angela Zhang
I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis studying anthropology and biology. I’m interested in biological and cultural anthropology, and I want to learn more about how sociocultural factors influence human health. My goal is to work in the medical field and play a part in improving health disparities and outcomes.
In my free time, I like to crochet, read, and watch sunsets at the beach (when I’m home in California).
Alex Shing
Alex has graduated with a major in Environmental Biology and minoring in Global Health and the Environment at Washington University in St. Louis. He is interested in tackling health and environmental inequities, especially involving NTDs.
Samantha Weaver
I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2022 with a degree in Anthropology: Global Health and Environment with a minor in Spanish.
In the future I hope to get into an MD/MPH program. I am passionate about the intersection of the environment and human health and using that knowledge to be an engaged community member and provide informed healthcare.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing varsity basketball for the WashU Bears, volunteering, and spending time outdoors.
Sarah Riley
I am a junior at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) majoring in Anthropology with a minor in Criminal Justice. In the future, I hope to attend graduate school in Tennessee to receive my doctorate in forensic anthropology.
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Currently I am assisting Dr. Cepon-Robins and Dr. Gildner with the REACH project. I am hoping to get the opportunity to work with them in the field soon and learn more about the research process in-person.
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When I am not studying or working, I am typically hiking some of my favorite trails, such as the Bluffs and Red Rock Canyon, with my dog. I also spend my free time watching my favorite shows like Criminal Minds and Bones.
Isabella C. Recca
I am a recent graduate (class of 2021) of University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) studying Anthropology with a minor in Psychology.
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I accompanied Dr. Cepon-Robins and Dr. Gildner to rural Mississippi (Summer 2019) as a research assistant and have continued to assist Dr. Cepon-Robins in the lab at UCCS.
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Outside of academics, I spend my time with a camera in my hand taking nature photographs. Some of the photos featured on this site were taken by me.
Brianna Miller
I graduated from UCCS in May 2021 with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Philosophy.
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I was been a student of Dr. Cepon-Robins for three years and have expressed great interest in Biological Anthropology.
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I plan on furthering my education in Medical Anthropology and eventually studying the processes that contribute to disease diagnoses and the systems that inform and create treatment plans. I am passionate about understanding and documenting the variety of treatment plans people experience when faced with disease, especially the complexity of those plans as they relate to different types of illnesses.
Julie Deleger
Hi, I’m Julie! I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, from Oakland, California. On the Pre-Health track, pursued a double major in Anthropology: Global Health & Environment and Biology, with a minor in General Economics.
I’m excited to join the REACH project team and am looking forward to contributing to Dr. Gildner’s and Dr. Cepon-Robins continued research! I hope to incorporate the knowledge and perspectives I acquire to promote more structurally sound and sensitive approaches to healthcare.
In my free time, you’ll find me making crêpes for my friends or hiking with my dog, Maddie.