Undergraduate Research
“I recently completed a yearlong internship at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. Last December, I was asked to explore a new 3D modeling computer program. After about 2-3 months of trial and errors, I mastered the program and began 3D modeling a group of civil war skulls. I created models that can then be used and shared online for research and teaching. I also made models that can be 3D printed. This new technology not only preserves accurate replicas of skeletal material, but also opens up a whole new avenue of research. The attached picture shows two different sizes of a 3D print of one civil war skull that I modeled. “- Audrey Schaefer, Spring 2016 grad, Forensic focus
“This summer I started working at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) as the Citizen Science Program Assistant. SERC is home to 18 research laboratories ranging from the archaeology lab to the global change research wetland, and almost all of them use volunteers in some capacity. My day-to-day activities vary a lot: I work alongside volunteers in the field, update our webpage content, plan for new and ongoing citizen science projects, give tours of SERC's 3000 acre campus, contribute to grant applications--the list goes on! The flexibility in my work has given me the ability to explore what citizen science at SERC really hopes to achieve, which is providing access to relevant research projects to communities that don't traditionally participate in scientific research. This is important to the study of global change, for the sake of education, outreach, and preparing for an uncertain future. “ – Maria Sharova, Spring 2016 grad, Environmental Focus
Caroline (L) and Maria (R) search through crates of oyster shells for mud crabs (Rhithropanopeus harrissi). A parasitic barnacle (Loxothylacus panopaei) infects and castrates the crab. Scientists at SERC are studying how this parasite affects the mud crab population.
“I had the opportunity of continuing an internship this summer with the Smithsonian Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics after receiving the Smithsonian Minority Fellowship. This summer I continued past projects analyzing human interaction with foxes through the utilization of ancient DNA from archaeological remains. I also began a new project examining the phylogeography of a second fox species. I had the opportunity many times to present my research, sometimes in a less official setting such as giving tours to visiting groups and other times at research symposiums. I will continue my research here through next semester.”-Sabrina Shirazi, Anthropology Senior, ASA president, Environmental focus.
"We volunteered at the Swiss Embassy for the Swiss National Day celebration, hosted at the ambassador's residence. The celebration included traditional Swiss music, foods, and dress." - Kayla , Anthropology Junior, Forensic Interest, VP of ASA, and Hope, Anthropology Sophomore, Environmental/Human Evolution, Secretary of ASA.
“This summer I participated in a Forensic Anthropology course with the National Museum of Health and Medicine. Various individuals from different specialties within forensic anthropology presented on the basis of information they use in their own work. Other participants ranged from medical examiners to Army personnel- it was a great experience to be in a class surrounded by different talents and perspectives.”- Alaska Burdette, Anthropology Senior, Medical focus
"Through the Leadership and Community Service Learning, I was able to go to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Maryland Oyster Restoration Center in Annapolis, Maryland. Before this experience, I had been taking Environmental Anthropology courses so I really wanted to get a field experience to what conservation and protection of the environment meant. Through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, I was able to camp at the beach with other UMD undergraduate students who came from different majors. At the Maryland Oyster Restoration Center, we learned about the importance of oysters and reef balls. Oyster restoration helps clean the water and keep the oyster population growing. This experience taught me how the community can help restore the bay by contributing in the oyster restoration project. A lot of projects done through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are possible because they accept many volunteers and interns who are passionate about protecting the Chesapeake Bay and their environment. It is important to conserve the bay from pollution for ourselves, but also to help protect the species living in the bay." - Delmis V. Umanzor, Anthropology Senior, Medical Anthropology Focus
Published on Mon, 08/24/2015 - 14:39