Samantha earned a B.S. in Anthropology with a concentration in Archaeology and minor in Chemistry from Kent State University and a M.A. in Anthropology from The Ohio State University. Her current research focuses on developing minimally destructive and low-cost methods of ancient protein analysis to taxonomically identify fragmented skeletal material. She has previous work experience in education, particularly public outreach in museums and currently works as a cultural resources intern in the Office of Environmental Services at the Ohio Department of Transportation.