We are pleased to announce that PhD Candidates Emma Brzezinski and Samantha Kirgesner have both received OSU’s Alumni Grant for Graduate Research and Scholarship!

Emma will use the award to support sample imaging and data collection for her dissertation research focused on characterizing functional adaptation of the human clavicle using a modern skeletal sample. A part of this research aims to investigate how collagen fiber orientation (CFO), which provides information on its loading history, is regionally distributed in clavicle cross-sections. In addition to offering new insight into the role of the clavicle in upper limb function, linking microstructure to loading environments in this way will be used to improve understanding of skeletal adaptation across disciplines.

Samantha's dissertation project aims to modify and develop methods for ancient protein analysis to be less destructive and more cost effective. Her project aims to use these methods with collagen in bone fragments to distinguish human from non-human skeletal fragments. The goal of this project is to apply these methods to NAGPRA-compliant collections to assist in the repatriation process. As part of the project, she will be conducting mass spectrometry analyses with different mass analyzers and ionization methods as part of the Badu Research Group (Dept. Of Chemistry & Biochemistry, OSU)

Congratulations Emma and Sam!