Leila Character is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, with expertise in machine learning and geospatial analysis. Her research bridges disciplines like archaeology, environmental science, and geospatial intelligence, often involving fieldwork and computational modeling. She has a multidisciplinary background as a professional geologist, environmental scientist, and AI researcher. Ph.D. and M.A. in Geography and the Environment from University of Texas at Austin B.S. in Geology with a minor in Anthropology/Archaeology from Sewanee: The University of the South Her active projects focus on underwater aircraft wreck detection for MIA service members, multimodal sensor fusion with autonomous underwater vehicles, seafloor characterization in West Africa, and ancient burial mound detection in Romania using vegetation indices. All projects emphasize combining computational rigor with field validation. Recent publications highlight deep learning applications in marine archaeology, Maya cave detection, and sensor fusion technologies. These articles span 2019–2025 and reflect cross-cutting themes in AI-driven geospatial analysis, underwater exploration, and archaeological discovery.
Dr. Chelsea Fisher is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of South Carolina, where she researches environmental justice, traditional ecological knowledge, and sustainable food systems. She directs the Yaxunah Haciendas and Lands Archaeological Project (PAHTY) in Yucatán, Mexico, collaborating with Maya community members to study colonial ranching sites and contemporary land relations. Education: PhD Anthropology - University of Michigan (2019) MA Anthropology - University of Michigan (2014) BA Archaeology - The College of Wooster (2011) Her interdisciplinary research bridges archaeology, environmental studies, and food systems. Fisher's 2023 book Rooting in a Useless Land examines colonial narratives, celebrity chef interventions, and Maya environmental justice. She has received numerous awards including the Louise Ann Williams Dissertation Award and multiple teaching honors. Research funding includes grants from Wenner-Gren Foundation, National Science Foundation, and U.S. Department of Education.
Jo-Marie Burt is an Associate Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. She holds affiliations with the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Women and Gender Studies, and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) . Her work spans comparative politics, transitional justice, and political violence in Latin America, with a focus on Peru and Guatemala. Education: Ph.D. in Political Science, Columbia University (1999); B.A., College of the Holy Cross (1986) Burt’s research examines post-conflict accountability, including high-profile trials in Peru (Fujimori) and Guatemala (Ríos Montt). She co-edited Politics in the Andes and authored Silencing Civil Society (2007), which analyzes state and insurgent violence in Peru. A 2011 recipient of Peru’s Award in Merit (Grand Official) , she advocates for victim rights and serves on advisory boards for human rights organizations in Guatemala and Uruguay. Her 15 most recent publications focus on transitional justice, perpetrator prosecutions, gender-based violence, and civil society activism in post-authoritarian regimes. Supported by grants from Fulbright, Open Society, and the MacArthur Foundation, she is completing a book titled In Pursuit of Justice in Post-Genocide Guatemala . Burt also contributes to media outlets like The New York Times and BBC World , blending academic rigor with public engagement. Scientific Awards: Honorable Mention, WOLA-Duke Book Award (2007) Award in Merit (Grand Official), Government of Peru (2011) Burt’s career bridges academia, advocacy, and policy, with a focus on dismantling systems of impunity and advancing human rights through judicial and societal mechanisms.
Marc Zender is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Tulane University, specializing in Maya epigraphy and Mesoamerican linguistics. His research reconstructs historical Mesoamerican languages to interpret ancient writing systems, with expertise in Maya hieroglyphic decipherment. Zender teaches courses on Maya writing, Classical Nahuatl, Yucatec Maya, and historical linguistics. His work has been featured in National Geographic and BBC Radio, and he has conducted archaeological research at sites across Belize and Mexico. Education: PhD in Archaeology, University of Calgary MA in Archaeology, University of Calgary BA in Anthropology, University of British Columbia Publications include Reading Maya Art and Writing and Civilization: From Ancient Worlds to Modernity .
Sarah Newman is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Social Sciences at the University of Chicago's College and serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies. She holds a PhD from Brown University (2015). Her research integrates archaeological, historical, and art historical methods to examine themes such as waste, human-animal relationships, and long-term landscape transformations in Mesoamerica and beyond. Key projects include the Invisible Landscapes initiative, co-directed with Felipe Rojas and Eduardo Góes Neves, which explores anthropogenic landscapes through multidisciplinary collaboration. Newman’s fieldwork in Jordan investigates water management systems near Petra, while her Maya-focused studies address zooarchaeology, sensory experiences, and knowledge systems. Her monograph Unmaking Waste: New Histories of Old Things (2023) redefines waste as a culturally contingent concept, challenging Eurocentric narratives through cross-cultural comparisons. A current book project, Animal Archaeology , extends archaeological methodologies to non-human histories. Newman’s affiliations include the Committee on Environment, Geography, and Urbanization, the Institute for the Formation of Knowledge, and the Center for Latin American Studies. Publications span topics from Classic Maya animal categories to Neolithic sites in Jordan. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, including remote sensing and 3D imaging technologies. Recent research explores sensory archaeology, particularly olfactory practices in Mesoamerica, and critiques traditional archaeological frameworks through comparative global perspectives.
Judith Maxwell is Professor of Anthropology at Tulane University, specializing in linguistic anthropology with primary focus on Mayan languages (Kaqchikel, Chuj, Nahuatl) and discourse analysis. Her work bridges theoretical linguistics and applied language revitalization, particularly through the Tunica-Biloxi language project since 2010. Education PhD in Anthropology, University of Chicago (1982) Research Focus : Maxwell investigates discourse structures in Mayan languages regarding artistry canon, cultural constructs, coherence mechanisms, and societal relationships. Her colonial manuscript analysis explores language change in Kaqchikel/Nahuatl, while contemporary work examines bilingual education, language shift, and gender performance across English and Indigenous varieties. She pioneered the revival of Tunica language through community-academic collaboration. Publication Trends : Recent works (2014-2024) demonstrate consistent focus on Mayan language documentation ( Kaqchikel chronicles , Chuj Narratives ), revitalization pedagogy ( Maja'il Kaqchikel ), and sociopolitical dimensions of language ( Mayan Languages and Guatemala Law ). Key themes include decolonizing methodologies, Indigenous knowledge systems, and practical applications for endangered language communities. Advising & Grants : Maxwell leads the Tunica-Biloxi Language Revitalization Project training Tulane students in documentation techniques. Her collaborative model integrates tribal knowledge with academic research, securing sustained community engagement despite specific grant details being unreported. Research Teams : Directs the Tunica-Biloxi collaborative team comprising Tulane students, tribal scholars, and native speakers, developing e-learning tools like the Q'anil Kaqchikel lessons filmed in Guatemala with native instructors.
Dr. Elizabeth Webb is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Western University, specializing in stable-isotope biogeochemistry. She holds a Ph.D. from Western University (2000) and leads the Laboratory for Stable Isotope Science (LSIS). Her primary affiliations include the Faculty of Science and involvement with the Richard W. Hutchinson Geoscience Collaborative Suite. She teaches undergraduate courses such as Earth Sciences 1086, 2240, and 3341, and graduate seminars (Geology/Geophysics 9580/9680). Dr. Webb's research focuses on understanding climate-vegetation interactions through isotopic analysis of plant materials, soil systems, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Key themes include: soil-plant-atmosphere continuum dynamics, paleoclimate modeling using ancient plant remains, carbon sequestration mechanisms, water resource availability in changing ecosystems, and fire history reconstruction in North American prairies. Her lab (BGS 0159, WSC 54) supports projects like developing multi-proxy paleoclimate models through calcite/calcium oxalate/silica biomineralization studies, Si-isotope indicators of weathering rates, and botanical magnetite-based aridity proxies. Recent work explores thermoregulating plant biomineralization processes and fire frequency-climate links. Dr. Webb collaborates with institutions globally, including fieldwork in Maya archaeological sites (Belize/Guatemala) and Canadian prairie ecosystems. She advises students on topics ranging from phytolith isotope analysis to geochemical cycle modeling. Research facilities include access to the Hutchinson Suite's mineral collections and advanced geochemical labs.
Jennifer P. Mathews is a Professor of Anthropology in the Sociology and Anthropology Department at Trinity University, where she teaches courses in archaeology and biological anthropology. Her academic career is deeply rooted in Maya studies, with particular expertise in ancient and historical Maya archaeology, as well as issues of sustainability and tourism. She has received significant recognition for her teaching excellence, including the prestigious Dr. and Mrs. Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship (2019-20), the state-wide Piper Professor award (2020), and the Murchison Term Professorship (2023-2026). Dr. Mathews earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in anthropology, with a specialization in Maya archaeology, from the University of California at Riverside, and her undergraduate degree in anthropology from San Diego State University (1991). Since 1993, she has conducted extensive fieldwork and archival research in Mexico, establishing herself as a leading expert in Maya archaeology. Her research has evolved from focusing on ancient Maya studies—particularly roads, architecture, and site layouts—to examining the post-Colonial period of the Yucatan Peninsula (1850–1950), with particular attention to commodity extraction including sugarcane, chicle (the base for chewing gum), rum production, and avocados. Her scholarly output includes numerous journal articles, book chapters, and several edited books such as Quintana Roo Archaeology , Lifeways in the Northern Maya Lowlands , The Value of Things: Prehistoric to Contemporary Commodities in the Maya Region , and Construction of Maya Space: Causeways, Walls, and Open Areas from Ancient to Modern Times . She has also co-authored significant works like Chicle: The Chewing Gum of the Americas: From the Ancient Maya to William Wrigley and Bittersweet History: Sugarcane, Rum, Labor and Life on the Yucatán Peninsula . Currently, she is working on a book about the deep history of the avocado, tracing its journey from Mesoamerican origins to California in the nineteenth century. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on historical archaeology of the Yucatan Peninsula, particularly examining how 19th century practices relate to contemporary issues. She explores topics ranging from chicle gum's role in popular culture to the preservation challenges facing archaeological sites amid modern development pressures. Her work consistently bridges ancient and modern contexts, demonstrating how historical practices inform current sustainability challenges. Dr. and Mrs. Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship (2019-20) Piper Professor award (2020) - a state-wide teaching award for superior teaching at the college level Murchison Term Professorship (2023-2026) Dr. Mathews actively engages with the community through collaborations with local institutions like the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA), where she teaches docents about ancient Mesoamerican cultures. Her students contribute research papers to museum collections and help develop e-Museum descriptions. She incorporates service learning into her courses, organizing projects that support causes like the San Antonio Food Bank, the San Antonio Zoo's primate conservation efforts, and Maya women artisans in Mesoamerica. Additionally, she has curated two significant exhibits: 'The Modern Maya: The Photographs of Macduff Everton' and 'Crafting Maya Identity.' Her academic affiliations span multiple interdisciplinary programs including Environmental Studies, Global Latinx Studies, Museum Studies, and the MAS: Mexico, the Americas, and Spain program.
Stephen J. Burns is a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, within the College of Natural Sciences. His research centers on paleoclimatology using speleothems as high-resolution archives of continental climate change. He investigates stable isotopes and trace elements to reconstruct past precipitation and monsoon dynamics, with a focus on tropical and subtropical regions such as Mexico, Madagascar, South America, and Southeast Asia. Education: Ph.D., Duke University, 1987 (Dolomite Geochemistry) M.S., University of North Carolina (Carbonate Sedimentology) B.A., Rice University Post-11 years at University of Bern, Switzerland His research focuses on understanding climate variability on orbital to decadal timescales, especially in continental regions where data are sparse. He uses speleothems—cave deposits like stalagmites—as 'underground ice cores' to extract paleoclimate signals from oxygen and carbon isotopes. His work explores climate-culture interactions, including links between climate shifts and the decline of the Mayan civilization and Madagascar's megafauna. He has led major projects in the Yucatan, Peruvian Andes, Oman, Yemen, Brazil, and Vietnam, often in collaboration with anthropologists and international climate scientists. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in tropical paleoclimatology, with emphasis on monsoon systems, interhemispheric climate dynamics, and human-environment interactions during the Holocene and Late Pleistocene. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as Science , PNAS , and Geophysical Research Letters , demonstrating both methodological rigor and broad scientific impact. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Stephen J. Burns actively mentors students and leads interdisciplinary research teams. He has secured sustained funding for field expeditions and laboratory analyses, though specific grants are not listed. His collaborations span departments (e.g., Anthropology at UMass) and institutions (e.g., MIT, Duke, international universities). He is currently engaged in three major speleothem-based projects: (1) climate variability in the Yucatan and its link to Mayan cultural evolution, (2) environmental history of Madagascar and megafaunal extinction, and (3) climate change in Vietnam with David McGee (MIT). These efforts are supported by advanced geochemical facilities and fieldwork logistics. Labs and Research Teams: Geochemistry and Paleoclimate Laboratory at UMass Amherst (implied through research activity) Collaborative network with stable isotope labs (e.g., Cheng/Edwards lab for U-Th dating) Field teams in tropical cave systems across multiple continents Interdisciplinary group including anthropologists and climate modelers
Benjamin Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Massachusetts Boston. His research focuses on indigenous social and political responses to colonialism in Latin America, with primary emphasis on Nahuatl speakers in central Mexico. Specializes in post-Spanish invasion social order in 16th-century Mexico Compares colonial experiences across Maya, Andean, and Brazilian coastal populations Teaches courses on Latin American history, pre-Columbian civilizations, and historical methods His current book project, Remaking the Hinterland , examines how marginalized groups in central Mexico adapted native and Spanish institutions to create new social systems. Professor Johnson holds a PhD (2011) and MA (2005) from the University of Chicago, along with a BA (2002) from Northwestern University.
Stephen J. Leisz is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Geography at Colorado State University (CSU). As a leading scholar in land change science and remote sensing, he directs the Land Change Science and Remote Sensing Laboratory and co-directs the Center for Archaeology and Remote Sensing. His research integrates remote sensing, GIS, and participatory methods to study human-environment interactions in Southeast Asia, Melanesia, and West Africa. Key areas include land-use transitions, peri-urbanization, agricultural systems, and climate change impacts. Leisz holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Copenhagen (2007), an M.Sc. in Environmental Monitoring from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a B.A. in American Studies from Georgetown University. Leisz’s recent work focuses on agrarian transitions in Vietnam’s Mekong and Red River Deltas, impacts of transportation corridors on rural transformations, and applications of LiDAR in archaeology. He has led projects funded by NASA’s Land Cover/Land Use Change program and co-founded the Earth Archive Initiative to digitally preserve global landscapes. His fieldwork spans over 30 years in Southeast Asia and Melanesia, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and policy-relevant outcomes. Leisz advises graduate students in CSU’s International Development Studies program and the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (GDPE). He teaches courses on remote sensing, spatial analysis, and land change science. His career includes Peace Corps service in Senegal (1980s) and recognition as a First-Generation College Graduate.
Cynthia Robin is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Northwestern University specializing in anthropological archaeology, with research focused on household dynamics, gender relations, and everyday life in ancient Maya society. Since 2001, she has directed the Chan Project, an international multidisciplinary investigation of a 2000-year history of the Maya farming community at Chan, Belize. Education PhD, University of Pennsylvania, 1999 Research Focus Her work explores how ordinary individuals shaped and were shaped by broader societal transformations in pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Key research areas include household archaeology, gender theory applications, spatial analysis of settlements, and the interplay between domestic life and political complexity in Mesoamerican societies. Publication Trends Robin's publications demonstrate consistent engagement with household archaeology and gender studies within Maya research, evolving from early burial analyses to contemporary spatial and ethnographic approaches. Her work bridges archaeological evidence with social theory to illuminate non-elite experiences in ancient complex societies. Scientific Awards No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the source text. Advising and Funding Professor Robin is not accepting new graduate students for 2025-2026. Her research has secured significant funding from: National Science Foundation National Endowment for the Humanities National Geographic Society John J. Heinz III Charitable Trust Northwestern University Research Infrastructure She leads the ongoing Chan Project, coordinating an international team conducting long-term archaeological research at the ancient Maya farming community of Chan in Belize, utilizing interdisciplinary methodologies across archaeological subfields.
Joyce Marcus is the Robert L. Carneiro Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the Museum of Anthropological Archaeology and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (1974) and has conducted groundbreaking fieldwork in Nevada, California, Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru. Her research focuses on the political evolution of ancient Mesoamerican and Andean societies, particularly the Maya and Zapotec civilizations. She pioneered the use of emblem glyphs to trace Maya state hierarchies and developed the 'Dynamic Model' explaining political cycles. Her work at San José Mogote in Oaxaca revealed Mexico’s oldest hieroglyphic monument, while her excavations at Cerro Azul, Peru, explored economic specialization and labor division. Marcus has been honored with prestigious awards including membership in the National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Her publications span over four decades, addressing themes like urban development, ritual practices, and comparative state formation in ancient societies. Educational Background: M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Harvard University (1971, 1974). Research Interests: Maya and Zapotec political systems Writing systems and hieroglyphic analysis Archaeological method and theory Ceramic and settlement analysis Gender and ritual practices in ancient societies Key Contributions: Dynamic Model of Maya political cycles Discovery of Calakmul’s significance Co-direction of San José Mogote excavations Analysis of Cerro Azul’s economic specialization Scientific Awards: National Academy of Sciences (1997) American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1997) American Philosophical Society (2008) Cotsen Book Prize (2008) Shanghai Archaeology Award (2013) Grants and Advising: Extensive funding for fieldwork and publications; mentorship reflected in the Mentor Recognition Award from UC San Diego. Active in collaborative research projects, including the University of Michigan’s Oaxaca Valley initiatives. Labs/Teams: Leading figure in the Museum of Anthropological Archaeology’s research programs; co-directed major excavations in Mexico and Peru.
Julia A. Hendon is Professor of Anthropology at Gettysburg College, where she also serves as Interim Associate Provost for Academic Technology Initiatives & Faculty Development and Dean of Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Programs. She directs the Johnson Center for Creative Teaching and Learning, demonstrating her commitment to both research and pedagogy in anthropology. Her research expertise focuses on Mesoamerican archaeology, particularly the Maya societies of Honduras. Dr. Hendon's work examines how material culture shapes social identities and relationships in ancient societies. Her extensive fieldwork in the Ulua Valley, especially at Cerro Palenque, has produced significant insights into settlement patterns, household organization, and craft production in prehispanic societies. Dr. Hendon's research reveals consistent themes across her publications: the relationship between material objects and social identities, the role of households in larger social structures, and the ways that everyday practices create meaning in ancient societies. Her work bridges theoretical approaches with empirical data from archaeological sites, particularly examining how people interacted with materials like clay, textiles, and metals to shape their social worlds. Her scholarly contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of social complexity in ancient Mesoamerica through detailed analyses of domestic architecture, settlement patterns, and material culture. Her publications demonstrate a sophisticated integration of archaeological data with anthropological theory, particularly in examining how people create meaning through their interactions with the material world. Dr. Hendon's leadership roles at Gettysburg College reflect her standing in the academic community as both a researcher and administrator committed to advancing teaching and learning. Her work continues to influence how archaeologists understand the connections between material culture, social organization, and identity formation in ancient societies.
Andrew Scherer is the Pierre and Patricia Bikai Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Brown University, where he also serves as Director of the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World. His work focuses on Mesoamerican (particularly Maya) archaeology, integrating bioarchaeology, landscape analysis, and political studies to examine Classic Maya polities along the Usumacinta River. Co-directs interdisciplinary projects in Mexico/Guatemala (Lacanja Tzeltal, Piedras Negras, Tikal, El Zotz, Yaxha) Research themes: mortuary archaeology, ritual practice, warfare, political organization, and diet/subsistence Selected Publications : As the Gods Kill: Morality and Social Violence among the Precolonial Maya (2025), Mortuary Landscapes of the Classic Maya (2015), and co-edited volumes including Substance of the Ancient Maya (2024) and Embattled Bodies, Embattled Places (2014). Research Funding : Multiple NSF grants (2003-2015) National Geographic Society support (2009) Wenner-Gren and Heinz Trust grants Academic Affiliations : Society for American Archaeology, Dental Anthropology Association, Dumbarton Oaks (as Pre-Columbian Fellow 2008-2009) Teaching : Courses on human evolution, bioarchaeology, Maya violence studies, and archaeological principles at Brown University.
