Melanie Beasley

Melanie Beasley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Purdue University, specializing in biological anthropology, stable isotope ecology, and forensic anthropology. Her research bridges human-environment interactions across evolutionary, prehistoric, and modern forensic contexts.

Education:

• B.S. in Anthropology, University of California, Davis (2003)
• M.A. in Anthropology, California State University, Chico (2008)
• Ph.D. in Anthropology, University of California, San Diego (2016)

Her work leverages stable isotope geochemistry to address questions about paleodiet, human evolution, and forensic geolocation. Recent studies focus on postmortem interval estimation, taphonomic processes, and isotopic variability in cremated remains. She directs the Bioanth Isotope Ecology Research Laboratory (BIER Lab), which emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to anthropology's grand challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• Haslam Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2017-2019)

Dr. Beasley is actively involved in graduate student mentorship and welcomes applications for MA/PhD training. She advocates for science communication to enhance public understanding of anthropological relevance to contemporary issues like climate change and humanitarian identification efforts.