Curriculum Vitae

Research Overview

My current research focuses on the 19th and 20th century fisheries and fishing vessels of the Chesapeake Bay. My previous research focused on the historical and maritime archaeology of pirates on Lundy Island, UK. After examining hundreds of primary sources, I completed a material survey of the landscape and used this to determine if material remains of pirates can be identified in archaeological excavations. I have an absolute passion for diving, which fueled my inspiration to study maritime archaeology. Focusing on different aspects of archaeology at Texas A&M University has allowed me to retain my passion for diving, enhance my research skills, and learn valuable archaeological excavation methods.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology Candidate (Aug 2022-May 2026)

·        Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA  

· Dissertation: Still Waiting for the Breeze: The Boat Building Traditions of the Chesapeake Bay Bugeye    

·        Dissertation defended February 18, 2026

Master of Arts in Maritime Studies (August 2019-May 2022)

·        East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA                                            

·        Thesis: Aw Shucks: An Archaeological Investigation of a Possible Oyster Fishing Vessel in Washington, North Carolina

·        Graduate Assistantship

·        Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society Officer

·        Maritime Studies Association Officer

Master of Philosophy in Historical and Maritime Archaeology (September 2015-September 2017)

·        University of Bristol, Bristol, UK                                                 

·        MPhil Dissertation: The Archaeology of Lundy Pirates

·     Engaged in multiple archaeological excavation projects.

Bachelor of Arts in History (Cum Laude Honors: August 2011-May 2015)                                                                   

·        Aurora University, Aurora, IL, USA                                                                   

·        Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society Member  

Professional Experience

Instructor of Record Texas A&M University (August 2024-May 2025):                                    

·       ANTH 318: Nautical Archaeology of the Americas

·   ANTH 201: Introduction to Anthropology

Graduate Research Assistant Texas A&M University (August 2022-August 2024):                                    

·        Assisted with a variety of projects under the guidance of Kevin Crisman, PhD.

Senior Archaeologist: SEARCH, INC. (May 2022-July 2022):   

·        Assisted with fieldwork budgeting and financial planning.

·        Edited fieldwork proposals and survey reports.

Assistant State Underwater Archaeologist (November 2021-July 2022):

Virginia Department of Historic Resources                                    

·        Richmond, Virginia, USA

·        Assist with identifying potential submerged cultural resources lying on state-owned bottomlands.

·        Assess Virginia’s Underwater Exploration Permit applications.

·       Collaborate with the state’s maritime museums and historical societies to incorporate the community in underwater archaeological projects.

Graduate Assistant (August 2021-November 2021):

ECU’s Preservation/Conservation Laboratory            

Conference Presentations

Society for Historical Archaeology Conference (January 2024)   

·        “Still Waiting for The Breeze: Archaeological Investigations At Walnut Point, VA”.

·        Oakland, CA.

Vaughn M. Bryant Memorial Anthropology Conference (April 2023)

·        “Bye, Buy-Boats: The Decline of a Chesapeake Bay Vessel Type”.

·        College Station, TX.

Society for Historical Archaeology Conference (January 2023)

·        “Bugeye Bottoms: The Archaeological Investigations of a Chesapeake Bay Vessel Type”.

·        Lisbon, Portugal.

Society for Historical Archaeology Conference (January 2022)

·        “The Oyster Metropolis of North Carolina: An Archaeological Investigation of a Pamlico River Shipwreck”.

·        Philadelphia, PA.

North Carolina Maritime History Council Conference (November 2021)

·        “Dredging Up History: An Oyster Vessel Wrecked in Washington, North Carolina”.

·        Wilmington, NC.

Southeastern Archaeology Conference (October 2021)

·        “Built for the Oyster Boom: A Possible Chesapeake Bay Oyster Vessel Wrecked in Washington, North Carolina”.

·        Durham, NC.

North Carolina Maritime History Council Virtual Conference (November 2020)

·        “Aw Shucks: An Archaeological Investigation of a Possible Oyster Vessel Wrecked in Washington, North Carolina”.

Book Chapters

· 2025 “Buttoning a Navy in Haste”. In The Buried Cause: Unearthing Hidden History in the Lee Monument Cornerstone, Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press.

· 2023   “The Archaeology of Lundy Pirates: A Case Study of Material Culture”. In Dead Man’s Chest: Exploring the Archaeology of Piracy, Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.