Mary Vermilion

Mary Vermilion, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds affiliations with organizations such as the Register of Professional Archaeologists, Cave Research Foundation, and the American Anthropological Association. Her research focuses on prehistoric North American archaeology, forensic anthropology, and bioarchaeology, with notable work at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2005
• Master of Arts in Anthropology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1999
• Master of Science in Written Communications, National-Louis University, 1998
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Sociology/Anthropology and Science minors, National-Louis University, 1997
• University of Detroit, Dental Hygiene

Research Interests:

• Prehistoric Mica utilization
• American Indian cultural practices
• Shamanism in archaeological contexts
• Paleopathology and bioarchaeological analysis

Key Awards and Grants:

• Multiple Stolle Awards (2024, 2023, 2022, etc.)
• Billiken Boost Award ($5000, 2022)
• Cahokia “Milestone” Exhibition inclusion (2020)
• Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award (2019)

Professional Involvement: Active in archaeological organizations including the Illinois Archaeological Survey and Cahokia Mounds Museum Society. Her work emphasizes community engagement and undergraduate mentorship, reflected in awards like the Chauncey E. Finch Undergraduate Mentoring Award.

Contact: Located at Morissey Hall, Saint Louis University, mvermili@slu.edu