Current Students
Sarah Walker - MA/MS expected 2008Prior Education: BA in Psychology, Minor in Dance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2003
Thesis: “Evaluating physical fitness trends and outcomes in children using FitnessGram standardized test scores.” For this study, I worked with the Broome County Health Department and a local middle school to analyze and interpret their recently collected standardized fitness test scores. I presented my findings at the Binghamton Biomedical Research Conference, the Human Biology Association’s annual meetings in Philadelphia, a local Steps to a Healthier NY planning meeting at the Health Department, and a CDC site visit for Steps at Johnson City Middle School.
Internship: Although I have not yet completed my internship, I have been mostly assisting Marc Lichtenfeld (a Ph.D. student) in his child health project in local middle schools, collecting anthropometric measurements and administering questionnaires. I have also been attending the Health Department’s monthly Steps planning meetings, presenting my work, and learning about local health initiatives.
About: In college I studied social psychology and neurobiology, but a course in nutritional anthropology opened my eyes to the anthropological/evolutionary perspective. After graduation, I spent some time in social work (mostly with autism and ADHD), where I became increasingly interested in childhood nutrition and obesity issues. Since I began the MA/MS programs at Binghamton, I have become involved in multiple infectious disease and general public health projects in addition to my own work. The Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Project, led by Dr. Ralph Garruto, has been an extremely valuable learning experience. Our group has been monitoring the health of a group of people from upstate NY who were accidentally exposed to CWD-infected venison in 2005. I am also involved in EvoS, the campus-wide evolutionary studies certificate program. Thanks to my professors, my colleagues, and their contacts in the community, the real world experience I have gained in both laboratory and community-based research projects has given me a tremendous advantage. I look forward to working in public or private sector public health and disease control/prevention research.
Christa DeHuff MS Expected 2008
Prior Education: BS in Psychobiology, Minor in Spanish, SUNY Binghamton
Internship: Health Transition Fieldwork in Vanuatu
About: While in Vanuatu I experienced hands-on fieldwork in a completely foreign setting. Our group examined the health transition that is currently taking place due to modernization on this South Pacific archipelago. This internship provided me with the opportunity to interact and live with people of another culture along with collecting data in the field. It was an invaluable experience. In addition, I have gained valuable laboratory experience working in Dr. Ralph Garruto’s Serum Archive Laboratory.
Current and Future Goals: While I am finishing my MS, I would like to complete a second internship at a local public health institution. I then hope to pursue a career in the public health sector. I am interested in nutrition, food policy, disease prevention as well as international health issues. The knowledge gained from the diverse curriculum of the MS, in combination with the internship and laboratory experience has prepared me for a great career path.
Angie DeLuca MS Expected 08
Prior Education: BS in Anthropology, a Minor in Art History from Mansfield University, Mansfield PA.
Internship: Disorders of Function Clinic in Vestal at Binghamton University
About: While in college I focused on archaeology until I was stricken with Crohn’s Disease. This life altering event led me here to the MS program to advance my knowledge in the health sector. This program allows me to continue being an anthropologist while enabling me to focus on the biomedical sciences. My health led me to do my internship at the Disorders of Function Clinic which is run by a gastroenterologist. While here, I gained knowledge on Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and became an assistant to the doctor and secretary.
Current and Future Goals: I am currently finishing up with the MS program and plan to go to nursing school after graduation. With the combination of the program and my internship I feel that I can use my knowledge the best by becoming a nurse and going on to work in the public health sphere.
Leah Robinowitz MS Expected 08
Prior Education: BS in Psychobiology from Binghamton University, Minor in Studio Art, Painting Concentration
Internship: Not yet completed
Current and Future Goals: I have always been fascinated with health and human behaviour. My undergraduate studies taught me a lot about physiopsychology, but I wanted to learn more about how the social, cultural, and biological aspects of health and behavior interact and fit together.
After graduating in May I'm planning on attending medical school, with an anthropological perspective.
Risana Chowdhury
Bonnilyn Covey
Sean Fiore
Justin Garcia
Kito Nzingha
Rebecca Polmateer
Eric Shattuck
Pauline Van Goozen
Heather Schongar
Graduates
Melissa Gates MS '07
John Darcy MS '07
Prior education: 1996 B.S. Earth Sciences-Geosciences concentration, Minor in Geography, The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University
Professional Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales & Marketing, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Cardiovascular Division
Internship: Not Yet Completed
About: I am pursuing the MS in Biomedical Anthropology on a part time basis while working full time for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. Through professional experience and extensive volunteer work at the Garabed Fattal Community Free Clinic of Upstate Medical University's Clinical Campus, I have developed a keen interest in biomedical sciences. My interests in human health are global with a specific interest in how changes in environment, climate, human activity and technology affect health and medicine with respect to infectious and communicable disease. The MS program has allowed me to gain a breadth of integrated biomedical and anthropological sciences while providing the depth of contemporary laboratory and clinical applications. Coming from an Earth Sciences background and having experience and exposure with clinical medicine, the MS is an excellent bridge for more advanced Doctoral work.
Current and Future Goals: I plan on pursuing the doctorate with the intent of going into drug development and epidemiology.
Nicole Navratil MS '07
Prior education: BA in Anthropology with a Minor in Women’s Studies from SUNY Oswego.
Internship: Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.
About: While working at the Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization (LIVV) I was able to explore issues of homicide, domestic violence, and sexual assault from both a legal and public health perspective. I was also able to learn more about the field of forensic science and the prevention of infectious disease specifically pertaining to issues of sexual assault, as I observed the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training course and spent time shadowing the director of the SANE program. While in Binghamton I have been able to continue research for LIVV on the epidemiology of Murder-Suicide, while also working as a lab assistant for Dr. Ralph Garruto in the Serum Archive Laboratory.
The Biomedical Anthropology program has given me the tools and training I need to approach public health issues in an integrated and culturally sensitive way. I find the staff and students to be incredibly supportive and I have constantly felt challenged and motivated by the individuals I have had the privilege of working with in this program.
Amanda Tavares MS '07
Prior Education: B.S. (Honors) Laurentian University, Ontario, Canada.
About: I completed my undergrad degree with a specialization in Forensic Biology. This allowed me to take several Medical and Forensic Anthropology courses. I liked the profile of Binghamton’s Biomedical Anthropology program since it combined these two fields and has a mandatory internship. Originally I was leaning more towards the forensic path, but now that I have started my classes, public health and epidemiology are really interesting me.
Current and Future Goals: I would eventually enjoy working for a public health agency, but will wait until the completion of my internship to make any concrete decisions.
Carolyn Arber MS '06
Prior education: BA in Cultural Anthropology, University of New Hampshire
Internship: Wilson Memorial Hospital, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Binghamton, NY.
About: I worked as an employee of the Research Foundation of BU, in the Serum Archive Laboratory for Dr. Ralph Garruto. Some of the responsibilities included aliquoting sera and developing and maintaining the records, protocols and database information. In addition to being an excellent learning experience in laboratory life, the position was challenging and entertaining.
The Biomedical program has more than met my expectations for unique and stimulating course work and has provided a venue in which to explore my varied interests. Additionally, there are outstanding opportunities for independent and collaborative lab and field research and the faculty are encouraging and supportive (and patient) of any endeavor in which you may choose to participate.
While interning I was able to observe and participate in aspects of pathology including autopsy, surgical and gross pathology, microbiology and histology. Thanks to my experience in this program, my internship, and the demand for Pathology Assistants, I decided upon completion of the MS program in Biomedical Anthropology to persue this field. I currently attend the University of Maryland Baltimore's Pathologist's Assistant Program. I am taking classes in Gross Anatomy, Histology, Embryology and Pathology among others. My second year will consist of rotations with the Medical Examiner's, Johns Hopkins, Walter Reed and other hospitals. I'm a member of AAPA (American Association of Pathologist's Assistants).
Chim Chan MS '06
Prior education: BS in Biochemistry, Binghamton University.
Internship: Emergency Department, Lourdes Hospital
About: While studying biochemistry as an undergraduate, one of my many side interests was the application of textbook principles into real-life conditions in human populations. The Biomedical Anthropology Program is especially rewarding in that it is truly interdisciplinary.
The extensive scope of the courses offered, combined with top-notched laboratory facilities and the gratitude of the faculty ensure state-of-the-art training opportunities for future careers in all fields.
My current research interest is on the genetic basis of drug resistance in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Specifically I am studying the emergence and the selective sweep of these resistant alleles in parasites from Near Oceania. By utilizing the immense archival sera collection, the evolution of chloroquine resistance and the parasite population dynamics in response to drug pressure can be temporally examined, in an attempt to provide a candidate model to explain the resistance to other available treatments.
Heidi Gastrich MA & MS '07
Prior education: BA in Anthropology, The Ohio State University.
Internship: Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
About: Half-way through my first year at Binghamton I decided to pursue both the MS and MA in Biomedical and Biological Anthropology. The MS offers a curriculum that is interesting, applicable and allows for the exploration of a variety of topic areas, through both course and laboratory work and internship possibilities. The first year of study made my internship possible, which has led into my MA thesis topic and has allowed me opportunity to present at different symposia.
Deanne Gebo MS '06 (MA expected '07)
Prior education: LA/AS, Broome Community College. BS in Biology, SUNY College at Oneonta.
Internship: BU Laboratory of Evolutionary Anthropology and Health/Ancient DNA and Forensic Laboratory.
About: During my internship, I performed mitochondrial DNA extractions from human and animal bone and teeth and subsequent PCR amplification and sequencing of regions of interest. I was also able to extract and sequence DNA from samples with potential forensic relevance, such as cigarette filters, hair, envelopes, toothbrush bristles and blood stained clothing.
The aspect of the Biomedical Anthropology program that has been most beneficial to my studies has been collaboration among the various state of the art laboratories, the tremedous support of faculty members, and research opportunities. Beyond my laboratory experience, I have been fortunate to be able to assist in forensic cases under the direction of Forensic Anthropologist, Dr. Dawnie Steadman.
Kristin Loos MS '06
Prior education: B.A in Anthropology and Biology from the University of Rochester.
Internship: New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health
About: I had been teaching high school biology before coming here last fall, and I am currently interning at the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH). Part of my internship at NYCAMH includes working on final revisions for the Migrant Clinician's Occupational Health Reference Manual which I will be pilot testing this summer. Additionally, I will also present the manual at the North American Agromedicine Consortium in Virginia.
My interests lie primarily with rural health in the United States, specifically women's health and other underrepresented groups. Thus, after graduation, I hope to return to NYCAMH.
For me the most positive aspects of the program have been the exceptional teaching by the faculty, and the collaboration among them, meaning that as students we are able to apply things learned in one course, to all of our other courses. The opportunities available for us in terms of research projects are also numerous. I find that all the faculty and students are supportive and friendly.
Daniel Lynch MS '06
Prior education: B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Biology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
Internship: National Institutes of Health, working in the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stoke (NIH, NINDS).
About: The Biomedical Anthropology Program has so far given me the tools needed to become a professional researcher, which is one of my future goals. I am in the midst of learning the many laboratory techniques for scientific study. The classes I have taken here in Binghamton have given me a terrific foundation of information and knowledge to have the ability to attain my goals as a researcher. The most distinguished aspect I learned from my classes has undoubtedly been problem-solving skills. As an anthropologist, I am learning to work through the many levels of inquiry, from the cell and molecular level, to the human population level as a whole. This is what I find most interesting and motivating about our program.
I thoroughly enjoy the relationship between the professors and their students. The classroom attention is up front and professional, while at other times personal, all of which I find to generate my enthusiasm as a graduate student. In short, the program teaches students to think about hypotheses, the ways to go about solving them (problem solving skills), and the many ways one can interpret their data.
Della Stumbaugh MS '06
Prior education: BA in Biology and Anthropology from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA.
Internship: Ancient/Forensic Laboratory, Binghamton University, WA
Internship: I had the unique opportunity to establish the Ancient DNA/Forensic Laboratory at Binghamton University. This included researching the requirements of such a facility, equipping it to meet a specific budget, and training students in the techniques employed there in extraction of DNA from ancient remains. While this laboratory is an ongoing part of the department, it was my privilege to help establish it.
Current and Future Goals: After being granted my MS in Biomedical Anthropology I moved back to Washington State. I am employed by Bio-Rad Laboratories. This company developed one of the first commercial tests available for Spongiform Encephalopathies, as well as employed one of the researchers who first identified the pathogen responsible for AIDS. I work in is the Clinical Diagnostics department, which field-tests many of the products Bio-Rad develops for diagnosing diseases, including rapid tests for diagnosing HIV1/HIV2, Hepatitis B and several groups of autoimmune diseases. My job role as Clinical Data Specialist is in preparing the data coming in from the current projects in the field for inclusion in reports to the FDA, as well as assisting in the establishment and organization of future projects. I am constantly drawing on the education I received at Binghamton University to help fulfill and understand the process and tasks that I perform. I am proud to be a part of this ground breaking company, knowing that my participation helps the development of products that save lives. I am also grateful to BU for helping get me here. My interests, as well as my eventual career path, lie in Forensic Genetics, but I also remain interested in Neurodegenerative diseases, International Health, Stress-effects and the consequences of modernization.
Miguel Vilar: MS '06, MA (expected '06), PhD Track
Prior Education: BA in Anthropology, Haverford College. MS in Journalism, Columbia University
Internship: Malaria Research in Vanuatu
Current Goals: I am currently publishing the results from my Masters' work on human gene flow in Papua New Guinea and its implications on the spread of Malaria. As part of my PhD work, I will continue my studies on human pre-historic movement in the Pacific by analyzing several DNA markers in search of polymorphisms indicative of evolutionary lineage divergence and malarial resistance.
Future Goals: In addition to teaching, after earning my PhD I hope to continue my anthropological research and incorporate that acquired knowledge with my magazine writing experience to produce more educational evolutionary and biomedical writing for a wider audience.
Jenn Weeks MS '06
Prior Education: B.S. in Biological Anthropology from Binghamton University, 2002.
Internships:
(1) Broome County Health Department- I worked with the Bioterrorism Coordinator on the planning and development of the first Anthrax Biological Disaster System (BDS) Drill in cooperation with the Binghamton Post Office. I also worked with the Environment Health and Safety Department developing a mock database of foodborne illnesses using Epi Info and GIS (ArcView) to aid in surveillance and detection of potential bioterrorism related outbreaks that might originally appear to be food illnesses.
(2) Onondaga County Division of Emergency Management- I worked with the Department Commissioner to develop training presentations, guidelines, and procedures for emergency response professionals for the county’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) which is activated for all kinds of emergency events. I also received training on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS), both of which are used during emergencies by many county and federal agencies.
Future Goals: As a Biomedical Anthropologist, my individualized training has provided me with unique perspectives and skills to apply towards problem solving among different issues concerning public health, bioterrorism and prepardness, epidemiology, and methods in fieldwork and research. After graduating in December of 2005, I hope to work at the Federal level, specializing in Public Health in Emergency Preparedness.
E-mail: sneaker246@hotmail.com
Christian Wanglund MS '06
Heather Worne: MS & MA '06, PhD track
Prior education: BS in Anthropology, University of Kentucky
Internship: Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office, Frankfurt
During my Internship I was able to observe and participate in numerous postmortem examinations of victims of natural disease, accidents, suicide, homicides, and deaths of undetermined manner. I became better acquainted with a number of disciplines including Forensic Anthropology, Death Investigation, Forensic Pathology, Law Enforcement, Criminalistics, and Jurisprudence. I also spent time with the Lexington Police Division of Robbery/Homicide and Patrol as well as observed the testimony of expert witnesses in murder trials in Central Kentucky.
Current and Future Goals: completed my M.S. in Biomedical Anthropology and M.A. in Biological Anthropology here at Binghamton University-SUNY in January '06. The title of my M.A. thesis was "Lower-Limb Biomechanics and Behavior in a Middle Mississippian Skeletal Sample from West-Central Illinois". I am currently pursuing a PhD in Biological Anthropology, also here at Binghamton University. My interests include skeletal biology, bioarchaeology, paleopathology, and forensic anthropology.
E-mail: hworne1@binghamton.edu
Tiffany M. Bauer: MS '05
Prior education: BS in Athletic Training, Stetson University, Deland, FL.
Internship: Neuropathology Laboratory, The University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
About: I recently graduated (Spring 2005) from the MS Graduate Program in Biomedical Anthropology. The aspect of the MS Program that I have enjoyed the most is its versatility. As the Program requires elective coursework, it is structured so that students have the ability to tailor their education around their personal academic goals, allowing for both growth and specialization. Another positive aspect of the Program is that it is very well suited for individuals who may not know exactly what area of biological anthropology they would like to focus upon. I entered the program with a strong interest in Forensic Anthropology and have been able to work under the direction of our Forensic Anthropologist, Dr. Dawnie Steadman, who has given me the opportunity to assist her with several forensic cases. Also while at Binghamton, I became interested in population-based perspectives of neurodegenerative disease and had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while completing a summer internship.
E-mail: purplecav7@hotmail.com
Kathryn Lahn: MS '05
Natalie Ochs: MS & MA '05 PhD Track
Prior education: B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior from Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA.
Internship: Broome County Public Health Department.
About: I recently completed my second year in the Biomedical Anthropology program. During the time between receiving my B.A. and starting the M.S. program at Binghamton, I worked as a biomedical research and health policy reporter for a weekly journal. The work I was engaged in at the journal combined with my growing interests in medical anthropology led me to BU's Biomedical Anthropology program.
The Biomed program provides numerous opportunities for students to develop their research interests ranging from lab-based to field-based research. This program has encouraged and enabled my involvement in lab research, and has been highly supportive of my interests in developing education and prevention strategies for infectious and chronic disease, with a focus on increasing communication with minority populations. For example, my master's thesis involves an assessment of the types of communication barriers that may exist among young deaf women to potentially impede their access to HIV/AIDS education and prevention strategies in the U.S. My thesis topic is inspired to a large extent by my internship experience with the county health department.
The Biomed program, its professors and students provide a supportive and creative learning environment. In the Fall (2005) semester I will serve as a research assistant for Laura Soloway’s study regarding the effects of modernization on hypertension and obesity in the population of Saba.
Kristen Saari: MS'05
Prior education: Bs in Biological Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Internship: Ingham County Health Department, Lansing, MI.
About: I am planning to get a job in Public Health, so I can develop my interests and apply my knowledge in Epidemiology, Disease Investigation, Evolutionary Biology, and Bioterrorism Preparedness. The biggest lesson I take with me from the Biomedical-Anthropology program is how important an interdisciplinary background is to understand the differences within and between populations and these lesson learned are essential to apply to any field. I am currently working on the high altitude adaptation project that I started when I got to Binghamton University in 2003. I am using mtDNA from Ethiopian, Tibetan and Bolivian blood samples in hopes to find a correlation between how these high altitude populations adapted different phenotypic patterns to their possible different genotypic patterns. I have also worked on projects with mtDNA from peoples of Rigo and other populations in Papua New Guinea in order to look at migration patterns in the South Pacific, a well as on finding the origins of peoples from Afghanistan.
The most positive aspects of the program to me include: 1) The internship requirement, which we get to choose, really allows us to branch out, do something we think we would enjoy and helps us pursue our own specific goals. 2) The laboratories we all have access to in the Biomedical-Anthropology program are really coming together and we are going to have one of the best Molecular Anthropology, Forensic and ancient DNA labs in the country!!!
E-mail: pixiesaari4@yahoo.com
Rita Warner: MS & MA '05, PhD Track
Maggie DiVita: MS '04
Prior Education: BA in Anthropology from SUNY-Geneseo
Internship: Broome County Public Health Department
About: During my internship I primarily worked within the clinics that the BCHD offers. With the STD clinic I helped with patient interviews and spinning and sending out blood samples for testing. I also worked on the Seroprevalence study designed to discover real incidences of HIV. I worked with the Communicable Disease Nurse on the Smallpox Emergency Plan, an action plan to vaccinate all of Broome County should there ever be a smallpox outbreak. Other activities included working within the TB clinic, and learning how to use the program EpiInfo for foodborne outbreaks.
Future Goals: The MS program has allowed me to realize my career goals in Applied Epidemiology. I have developed an anthropological mind which allows me to look at the bigger picture in disease. I have been accepted to the Public Health School at the University of Buffalo in a Ph.D. Program in Epidemiology. The MS has given me the background to begin this degree with confidence, knowing that I will always have the perspective of an anthropologist.
E-mail: faridah27@hotmail.com
Liz Forshay: MS '04
Laura Soloway: MS &MA '04, PhD '07
Prior education: BA in Anthropology, University of Massachusetts, Boston. MS in Biomedical Anthropology, Binghamton University. MA in Anthropology, Binghamton University.
Internship: New York Center for Agricultural Management and Health
About: My Master’s thesis is entitled “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinsonism Dementia among the Chamorro People of Guam: Development of an experimental clinical rabbit model”. My Doctoral work is entitled “Hypertension and Obesity: Health Effects of Modernization on Saba, Netherlands Antilles”. This island has undergone rapid modernization in the past 40 years and is a perfect natural experimental model for these diseases. This study began in the Fall ’05.
The MS in Biomedical Anthropology is a wonderful program. It is designed to educate the student in various aspects of biomedical, biological, public health, and forensic areas of study in anthropology. One of the best parts of the program, I feel, is the internship. With the internship, one can choose any area of interests and work for a semester or summer in that field. This allows for students to branch out of strictly academic work and learn what happens in the real world. The other amazing part of this program is the professors. They are all top in their fields and willing to work closely with students at all stages of academic advancement.
E-mail: laura_soloway@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Stummer: MS '04
Prior education: BS in Psychobiology from Binghamton University.
Internship: Bamburgh Research Project, England.
About: The MS program has allowed me to develop my role in the medical field while giving me an anthropological perspective to health-related problems. As I completed the MS degree, my interests in health and medicine shifted from forensics to environmental health. I currently see my role as a Biomedical Anthropologist in the environmental health and health education sector. After completing the MS program, I joined Teach For America where I committed two years to the fight for educational equity. I taught two years on the Navajo Reservation, one teaching math and science at a small middle school in Tohatchi, NM, and my second year at a large high school teaching AP Biology in Shiprock, NM. The experience, although somewhat astray from my career goals in public health, allowed me to draw on my anthropological perspective to understand the factors contributing to social inequities many communities face. What remains after my two years in the classroom is a strong connection to the communities in which I taught and a motivation to work within for positive change. I currently work as a Growth Strategy Associate for Teach For America · New Mexico. My role is to develop our program as well as work to expand our impact in New Mexico. I also serve as a board member for the New Mexico Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Board, reviewing monthly cases and advocating for the welfare of children in my community. Lastly, I am an adjunct instructor at the University of New Mexico Gallup Campus, where I teach introductory biological anthropology courses.
Email: Elizabeth.stummer@teachforamerica.org
Heather A. Junkins (Tulloch) MS ‘04
Prior Education: BS in Biological Science, NY-Oswego. A.A.S. in Veterinary Science Technology, SUNY-Delhi. Licensed New York State Veterinary Technician.
Internship: Center City Coordination Project (C-3), Binghamton.
About: After graduating from Binghamton, I moved to Washington, DC to pursue a career in public health. The past 3 years I have found myself exploring the various avenues of scientific research. I worked at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. I worked as a Research Analyst for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. I was involved in bioinformatics' projects that directly affect our Institute and disseminate pertinent health information to the general public. I was also involved in projects relating to program officer duties, individuals who help shape the future of NIH research within our domain. With my background rooted in biomedical anthropology and the biology, I am able to offer an interdisciplinary view on medical issues. Within the next few years, I do plan on going back to school to pursue a Ph.D. in public health.I am now a Program Analyst for the National Human Genome Research Institute with Dr. Teri Manolio and Institute Director Dr. Francis Collins. I am working in the Population Genomics division and will be providing support for our numerous projects including the Genone-Wide Association Studies.
E-mail: hjunkins@gmail.com
Helene Van Berge-Landry: RN '88, MS & MA '03, PhD track (ABD)
Prior education: Registered Nurse. MS in Biomedical Anthropology, MA in Anthropology, Binghamton University.
Internship: Ruttenberg Breast Cancer Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NYC, NY. Migrant farm workers project. Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY.
About: My research interests include the interconnections among the brain, behavior, immunity and health in human populations. My objective, after completing the doctoral degree, is to pursue a career in biobehavioral medical research. I am interested in multidisciplinary approaches that integrate culture, ethnicity, and psychobiology within a framework of human biological variation.
Right now I am in the process of working on my dissertation, which examines the dynamic relationships among neuroendocrine responses, inflammatory markers and cardiovascular outcomes in African American and European American women. The central hypothesis is that elevations in proinflammatory markers of the immune system are mediated by elevations in neuroendocrine hormone levels, and will differ between ethnic groups with varying perceived stress levels as evidenced by cardiovascular variation under real life circumstances.
The Biomedical Anthropology program helped to prepare me for a research-oriented career by providing a broad-based foundation in the fundamentals of human population variability, epidemiology, and statistical methodology under the mentorship of Drs. Ralph Garruto and Gary James.
E-mail: bj92739@binghamton.edu