معرفی
Treena Swanston is an Associate Professor at MacEwan University's Faculty of Arts and Science with dual appointments in the Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Anthropology, Economics and Political Science. Her interdisciplinary research bridges biological anthropology, archaeology, and advanced analytical chemistry to investigate ancient human health through genetic and trace element analysis of skeletal remains.
Her academic credentials include:
- PhD in Anthropology from the University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Swanston specializes in anthropological genetics, bioarchaeology, and paleopathology, with particular expertise in synchrotron-based trace element mapping. Her work examines biocultural determinants of health through analysis of pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Helicobacter pylori in ancient remains, and investigates how social inequalities manifest in skeletal biomarkers. Current projects focus on distinguishing biogenic element uptake from diagenetic contamination using synchrotron radiation at the Canadian Light Source and Advanced Photon Source.
Analysis of her publication record reveals a dominant trajectory in synchrotron applications for bioarchaeology, particularly high-resolution mapping of lead, mercury, and strontium in colonial Antigua and Franklin expedition remains. This work establishes methodological standards for differentiating lifetime exposures from postmortem contamination, significantly advancing interpretations of historical health disparities and environmental toxicology.
Her research has received competitive funding:
- Insight Grant (2014) from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council as co-applicant
Dr. Swanston mentors senior undergraduate students in independent research projects and maintains active collaborations with international synchrotron facilities. Her professional affiliations include the Canadian Association for Physical Anthropology, American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Paleopathological Association, Society for Archaeological Sciences, and American Association of Anthropological Genetics. She serves as Discipline Coordinator for Anthropology at MacEwan.
Her laboratory work centers on synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence imaging at the Canadian Light Source (Saskatoon) and Advanced Photon Source (Chicago), where her team develops protocols for 3D elemental mapping in archaeological bone. This research involves cross-disciplinary partnerships with archaeologists, chemists, and medical researchers to refine methodologies for identifying biogenic signatures in trace element distributions.
