Jennifer Muller

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I am a biological anthropologist, focusing on the analysis of human skeletal remains from both archaeological and forensic contexts. More specifically, my research involves the interpretation of blunt force trauma patterning. Skeletal remains provide a biological record of an individual's life. It is through the interpretation of such remains that the anthropologist may provide a window into the behaviors that led to the frequency of trauma and disease in past populations.

Rather than focusing on a specific geographical location, my historical skeletal research has concentrated on the biological health of the poor and disenfranchised in the US. Both human adaptation theory and biocultural theory in political and economic perspective provide the theoretical framework for this research. In these analyses, I seek to determine the types of stressors working on a population, how they developed, and ultimately, how they lead to disparities in health.

I earned by Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo in 2006. My dissertation research assesses the biological health of individuals from the W. Montague Cobb Human Skeletal Collection, Howard University. This collection is highly valuable to the anthropological community since the collection extends the time period for osteological assessment of African American remains by more than 30 years.

My research in skeletal trauma has naturally led to scientific interest within the field of forensic anthropology. In Buffalo, I managed a cadaver-based lab which included dissections of several human and nonhuman primate cadavers. Throughout my academic career, I have developed relationships with the local forensics communities. In Buffalo, I assisted on several autopsies. For Ithaca College students, one of the many benefits of this relationship includes a guest lecture by one of the leading homicide detectives in New York State on the Kendall Francois serial killings - a case requiring the knowledge and skills of multiple forensic anthropologists. I would look forward to continuing to develop relationships with more local New York State Police agencies in the identification of human remains. Fostering this relationship may lead to consultation on forensics cases, as well as internship opportunities for Ithaca College students.

As anthropology is a field-based discipline, I feel that it is essential that experiential learning be a major component in the courses that I teach. In my first semesteR at Ithaca College, students have several opportunities to engage in experiential learning, including: participation in a fossil collecting fieldtrip with the Museum of the Earth; observing primates at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse; and conducting search and recovery of mock homicide sites. This semester, students also joined me in attendance at the Northeast Forensic Anthropology Association annual meeting.

Courses taught at IC:

Introduction to Biological Anthropology

Introduction to Primates

Forensic Anthropology

The Biology of Poverty