People

Marin A. Pilloud

I am a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. My research interests focus on how the human skeleton can inform our understanding of human behavior in archaeological contexts and also be used in a forensic context as part of the biological profile. I am particularly interested in the application of dental morphology, metrics, and histology to answering research questions in both of these realms. My bioarchaeological research has focused on Neolithic Anatolia and precolonial California, current work is expanding into Roman and Medieval Spain and other parts of the United States. I am also particularly interested in ethics as it relates to the professions of bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology and finding ways to professionalize and improve these disciplines.

I am a registered professional archaeologist and a board-certified forensic anthropologist (D-ABFA no.109). I regularly consult on forensic anthropological casework and scene recovery.

email: mpilloud(at)unr.edu

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Current Lab Members (in alphabetical order)

Cassandra Boyer, PhD candidate

Cassandra A.K. Boyer (she/her) is a Ph.D. student with specialties in bioarchaeology and dental anthropology. She received her B.A. from the University of Kansas in 2016 and M.A. from Florida Atlantic University in 2019. Her M.A. thesis examined three archaeological sites (Guangala and Manteño cultural periods) at the Centro de Investigación y Museo en Salango, a small fishing village along coastal Ecuador (https://cimsalango.ec/). She examined the teeth from these sites and suggested the timing of agricultural intensification, reliability on sea foods, and noted the effects of colonization and El Niño events. Through life history theory, Cassandra developed dental-specific osteobiographies and indicated individual characteristics and behaviors such as ancestry, childhood development, favoritism of chewing sides, morphological peculiarities, and habitual impressions from suspected rope weaving.

At the University of Nevada in Reno, Cassandra intends to continue her research in Ecuador while developing her interests and skills in forensic anthropology, dental macro- and microwear, and human pedal morphology. As an anthropologist, she is passionate about engaging in public domains concerning activism, education, human rights issues, misinformation, and elevating historically marginalized voices.

email: cboyer(at)unr.edu

Bre Gauthier, MA student

Bre is a MA student and a Great Basin field archaeologist by trade. Bre has nine years of Cultural Resource Management fieldwork experience, and she has worked in nine different states in both the public and private sectors. Bre has many research interests, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of archaeology. Her primary research interests include intersectional archaeologies, Great Basin archaeology, queer theory, collaborative methodologies, geoarchaeology, and GIS in archaeology. For a master’s thesis project, Bre is working on a queer critique of extant discourse in Great Basin archaeology. After completing her masters degree, Bre hopes to do collaborative and research-oriented project management in the Intermountain West.

email: bgauthier(at)unr.edu

Jeffrey M. Harris, PhD student

Jeffrey M. Harris is currently a doctoral student with a focus on bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, and dental anthropology in Brazil. Upon receiving his B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in History from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), he immediately joined the M.A. program at CSUF and started his research on enamel hypoplasia. During his time at CSUF he assisted with archaeological field schools in Brazil, where he conducted biological profiles on remains which were excavated from archaeological sites.

email: jeffreymharris(at)unr.edu

Erica Klafehn, MA student

Erica “Ricky” Klafehn (she/her/ella) is an Indigenous Latinx student in the Anthropology program at UNR specializing in forensic anthropology. She is a recipient of the Dean’s Merit Fellowship and a representative for the College of Liberal Arts in the UNR Graduate Student Association. Ricky completed her M.S. in Forensic Science (2022) and B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology (2016) from John Jay College of Criminal Justice - City University of New York (CUNY). During her time at John Jay, Ricky was a member of the Program for Research Initiatives in Science and Math (PRISM) and Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, where she conducted forensic anthropology and entomology research under Dr. Angelique Corthals and Dr. Jennifer Rosati. For her master’s thesis, Ricky investigated the effects of blow fly larvae feeding on sharp force trauma (SFT) wound patterns in decomposing bones. At UNR, Ricky is working under associate professor Dr. Marin Pilloud; she hopes to either continue her research in taphonomy or explore the ethics of forensic anthropology, and hopes to pursue a career as a forensic anthropologist in a medicolegal or humanitarian setting.

In her free time, Ricky loves to watch and play sports, listen to and play music, and spend time with her friends and family. She is an avid movie-goer, loves board games, and enjoys learning about different cultures. You can often find her at a local Starbucks enjoying a refreshing cup of coffee, or at the fields playing softball.

email: eklafehn(at)unr.edu

Ginelle Köcher, PhD candidate

Ginelle Köcher is a biological anthropology Ph.D. student with interests rooted in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. Her primary interests consist of skeletal trauma analysis of contemporary populations in Brazil, ethics, and the international professionalization of forensic anthropology. She earned her B.A. in anthropology from St. John’s University and her M.S. in anthropology with a focus in human skeletal biology at New York University. Her previous experience includes collections management, as well as internships at the Forensic Anthropology Unit at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and the New York University Molecular Anthropology Lab.

email: gkocher(at)unr.edu

PhD Alumni (in chronological order)

Kendra Isable, PhD, 2025

Dissertation title: From Sun-Up to Sun-Down: A Bioarchaeological Study of Stress and Community Care Practices During Chattel Slavery in Colonial New Amsterdam (New York City)

Current Position: Independent consulting forensic anthropologist & Forensic anthropologist with SNA International, supporting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency