Alex Elvis Badillo

Dr. Alex Elvis Badillo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Systems at Indiana State University (ISU), within the College of Arts & Sciences. He is the founder and director of the Geospatial and Virtual Archaeology Laboratory and Studio (GVALS), where he leads research integrating advanced technologies into archaeological practice. His work spans Mexico, Peru, and the United States, focusing on Mesoamerican and Andean archaeology.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington (2019)
• M.A. in Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington (2013)
• B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish, Radford University (2005)

Dr. Badillo’s research centers on settlement pattern surveys, human-environment interactions, and the application of geospatial and 3D technologies—such as UAV (drone) mapping, Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, and digital heritage visualization—in archaeological contexts. His fieldwork in Quiechapa, Oaxaca, explores ancient land-use dynamics, while projects in Peru investigate ritual landscapes and mining traditions. He has pioneered digital workflows for documenting excavations at Pompeii and historic cemeteries in the U.S., contributing to both academic and public archaeology.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward digital archaeology, emphasizing paperless field methods, 3D data curation, and virtual reconstructions. These works span diverse subfields including ritual symbolism, burial documentation, urban archaeology, and cultural heritage preservation, demonstrating a cohesive focus on technology-enhanced archaeological science.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Associate Instructor of the Year Award, Indiana University (2015)
• President’s Diversity Dissertation Fellowship (2016-2017)
• Future Faculty Teaching Fellowship (2017-2018)
• Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, ISU (2018-2019)
• Nominated for multiple teaching and research excellence awards (2021, 2023)

Dr. Badillo has secured significant grant funding from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Geographic Society, and National Park Service, supporting projects on digital documentation, community archaeology, and cultural heritage preservation. He actively mentors students and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams. He also contributes to public outreach through museum collaborations and community presentations.

He directs GVALS, a dedicated lab for geospatial and 3D modeling, which supports both research and teaching in digital archaeological methods.