Kathryn Olszowy

Dr. Kathryn Olszowy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Her research focuses on biomedical anthropology, particularly health transitions in developing nations, gender disparities in obesity risk, and the impacts of natural disasters on mental/physical health. She collaborates internationally with institutions like the University of Quebec and the Vanuatu Ministry of Health on studies in Vanuatu, the U.S., and Colombia.

Research interests include economic development and chronic disease, water insecurity in New Mexico colonias, and the intersection of household conditions with health outcomes. Her work emphasizes biocultural perspectives, integrating socioeconomic factors with biological data.

Key projects include long-term studies in Vanuatu on health transitions and displacement effects, as well as emerging projects in Doña Ana County addressing water insecurity and pandemic impacts. Dr. Olszowy actively mentors students, including Hailey Taylor, and publishes extensively on topics like kava consumption effects, tobacco use patterns, and pandemic health behaviors.