Graduate Students

Liz Brandt is a native of Southampton, PA (suburb of Philly). She graduated summa cum laude from Appalachian State University in Dec, 2006, where she majored in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology and received the department’s coveted Outstanding Senior award. This is a second career for Liz, who retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant, in 2004, after 21 years of service. Liz is a single Mom of daughter, Megan, age 18. The family also includes 2 dogs, 3 cats and any stray animals that happen to show up. Her major interests include running, backpacking, wine-making and genealogy. She has worked extensively on ASU’s osteology collection and would eventually like to work on cases involving mass disasters/atrocities, and perhaps work with an organization such as DMORT or JPAC.

Keri Brotherton is a native Texan and has resided in the state for all but six years, during which time her father was stationed on Crete, Greece. She graduated summa cum laude from Texas State University San Marcos, where she received a B.A. in Anthropology. Keri is a first year graduate student in the Forensic Anthropology Masters program and is enthusiastic about continuing her education with the growing Anthropology Department at Texas State. She is particularly interested in studying the effects that various cutting implements and chemicals in soil have on bone. After earning her Masters degree, Keri will pursue her Ph.D., continuing her focus in Forensic Anthropology. In the future, she would like to use her education not only to continue her research but also to work on current forensic cases.

Guten Tag! Mandy Brückner was born and raised in East Germany. In 2002, she earned a degree in Business Administration based on state and federal law and worked for the county of Aschersleben-Stassfurt for three and a half years. Upon leaving her position with the county, she studied Sociology at the Friedrich Schiller Universität in Jena, Germany for one and half years. She then moved to “The Great State of Texas” where she continued studying Sociology, as well as Forensic Anthropology, at Texas State University-San Marcos. While at Texas State, she developed a strong interest in the study and practice of Forensic Anthropology. In May of 2007, she earned a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Sociology and begin her graduate studies in Forensic Anthropology in August 2007.

Casey Callahan started out at Texas State University as a biology major, intending to go to medical school later on. She was always interested in anything having to do with science and it has always come fairly easy to her. Taking a cultural anthropology class prompted Casey to take another and she found herself taking Dr. Melbye's osteology class. It was in his class where she knew she had found what she wanted to do. This field has captured her interest like no other and allows her to incorporate her interest in biology, anthropology, and forensic science all into one.

Amber Davis (soon to be Amber Wheat after she marries the love of her life on August 4th) grew up in Louisiana and graduated from LSU in May with her B.A. in Anthropology. After job-shadowing a forensic anthropologist in eleventh grade, she knew she wanted to study anthropology. She is really interested in studying decomposition and comparative studies on sub-adult remains versus adult remains. She plans to get her Ph.D. after getting her M.A. She is looking forward to learning more and more and getting to actually “master” the field of anthropology and finally get some hands-on experience.

Paulyann Enwere is a second year graduate student in Forensic Anthropology. She is a Nigerian-born, London-raised, Houstonian. Paulyann received her Bachelor of Science degree from Emory University, Atlanta, GA in Human Biology and Anthropology, with an African Studies minor. She is interested in international human rights violations, especially against women and children, and hopes to conduct her own research on such forensic cases upon completion of this program.

Kristina Rhea Gavit is a first year forensic anthropology grad student at Texas State. She grew up in the Round Rock / Hutto area and received her BBA in accounting from Southwest Texas State University in 2003. After working as an accountant, she decided that forensic anthropology was her true passion and enrolled at Texas State University with the encouragement of her father and family.

Katherine 'Kate' Kitowski is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She is a first year graduate student at Texas State University where she is excited to pursue her M.A. in the growing forensic anthropology program. Kate graduated Beloit College in May 2006 where she majored in anthropology with a focus on international relations. Her interests include: pathology, forensic taphonomy, and epidemiology; as well as international human war crimes and mass graves. After earning a PhD she hopes to apply her knowledge toward work with the CDC and the international community at large.

Connie Parks’ specific forensic interests are focused mainly in the area of human rights violations, war crimes investigations and mass fatality incidents. Additionally, Connie is supporting her major area of interest with a solid foundation in archaeological excavation work. Her research interests include skeletal preparation and preservation techniques, pathological conditions, trauma and the identification of skeletal fragments. One of Connie’s goals is to pursue team membership on investigation missions throughout her graduate program. Her current independent projects involve the development of a comparative collection of indigenous animals, the creation of a comparative tool mark collection and the establishment and maintenance of the FACTS dermestid beetle colony. She brings to the table over twenty years experience in the high tech industry, a background in project management and specialized photography skills.

Cory Rebmann graduated Central Washington University-Ellensburg, WA in the spring of 2005. He graduated with a B.A. in Anthropology with honors, with an emphasis in forensics. He also graduated with a B.A. in Law and Justice. He decided to attend Texas State University for numerous reasons; including, the faculty, facilities, and the forensic anthropology program. After he completes his Ph.D., he would like to work on international human rights cases excavating and analyzing mass graves. He would also like to teach at the college level. He has a great desire for knowledge and research that may promote the field of forensic anthropology. Interests include: forensic anthropology, decompositional studies, human biology, human variation, genocide and mass graves, forensic taphonomy, and osteology.

Nicole Reeves is a native of Texas and has lived all across the state. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she received a B.A. in Anthropology. Currently, she is a second year M.A. student focusing on Forensic Anthropology and is proud to be a part of the growing program at Texas State University. She is presently working on her thesis research, looking at the effects of avian scavenging on bone. In the future, Nicole plans on pursuing a Ph.D. with the same emphasis. Ultimately, she hopes to teach at the university level while also conducting research and working forensic cases.

Carly Shattuck graduated from Central Washington University-Ellensburg, WA in June of 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Law and Justice overall focusing on osteology and forensic anthropology. She chose to attend the graduate program at Texas State University for several reasons. Mostly, she is really excited about the faculty, fellow graduate students, facilities, and the forensic anthropology program. She plans to complete her Master’s degree in May of 2009. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in Forensic Anthropology. In the future, she would like to work on international human rights cases excavating and analyzing mass graves. She would love to travel around the world working on genocide sites and helping families find their lost loved ones. She has a passion for Forensic Anthropology and hopes to contribute greatly to the field.

Angela Skarlatos was born in Cali, Colombia and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In the spring of 2006, she graduated from New York University (NYU), where she earned a B.A. in Anthropology as well as in Hellenic Studies. After witnessing the tragic events of 9/11 it became her mission to assist in cases of forensic interest, particularly those of genocide and mass burials. Currently, she is a second year M.A. student with a Forensic Anthropology concentration. After graduation she hopes to return to NYC where she may be of assistance to the NYPD and the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. In the future she hopes to obtain her Ph.D. in forensic anthropology. Her interests are broad and they include human biology and variation, taphonomy, osteology, rates of decomposition, human rights violations and entomology.

Master's Degrees Awarded in Forensic Anthropology/Bioarchaeology

(Dr. Jerry Melbye, Chair)

2007

Olivia Alley, M.A.: Aquatic Decomposition in Chlorinated and Freshwater Environments.

Katharine Chapman, M.A.: When the Bullet Hits the Bone: Patterns in Gunshot Trauma to the Infracranium.

Margaret Hyder, M.A.: A Study on the Rate of Decomposition of Carrion in Closed Containers Placed in a Shaded Area Outdoors in Central Tennessee.

Jessica Lyles, M.A.: The Role of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) on Decomposition Rate and Postmortem Interval (PMI).

Adam Richard, M.A.: Battered and Burned: An Investigation into the Identification of Blunt Force Trauma Fractures to the Ribs in Burned Remains.

Terrie Simmons, M.A.: Bioarchaeological Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains from Bee Cave, Val Verde County, Texas.

2006

Christine Alvarez, M.A.: Bioarchaeological Investigation of Human Skeletal Remains at The Stiver Ranch Burial Sinkhole (41KM140).

Daniel Jackson, M.A.: An Investigation into Identifying Sharp Force Trauma on Burned Bones.