Niccolo Caldararo

Niccolo Caldararo is a Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at San Francisco State University (SFSU), holding a PhD in Developmental Psychology. His academic journey spans over five decades, beginning with studies in Psychology at UC Berkeley (1970) and later completing an M.A. and PhD at SFSU. His work bridges Anthropology, Museum Studies, and interdisciplinary research in human evolution and economic systems.

Research Interests:

• Artifact conservation and analysis (specializing in lithics, pottery residues, and skeletal restoration)
• Molecular biology's intersection with human evolution studies
• Economic anthropology exploring parallels between primitive and modern financial systems
• Fire ecology and human environmental impact
• Critical analysis of global economic policies and institutional collapse

Professional Experience:

• Former Research Assistant at California Academy of Sciences (1970s)
• Senior conservator at Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (until 1999)
• Co-organized the groundbreaking 2000 conference on NAGPRA and museum ethics with SF State graduate students
• Private conservation laboratory director focusing on scientific specimen restoration

Recent Work Trends: His articles (2014–2025) critically examine intersections between anthropology, economics, and technology. Key themes include:

• Psychedelic studies and cultural pharmacology
• Geopolitical conflicts and de-dollarization
• Pandemic response failures in healthcare systems
• Ethnographic analysis of housing crises and urban policy

Teaching & Mentorship: Part-time faculty since 1995, instructing Biological Anthropology courses at SFSU and City College of SF. Advises graduate students in conservation science through his private practice.