Kuril Biocomplexity Project – American Participants
"The Archys”
Ben Fitzhugh - Archaeology Professor - University of Washington
Ben Fitzhugh is a Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Washington in Seattle. Originally from the "other” Washington, Ben’s research focuses on maritime/coastal hunter-gatherers in the North Pacific and addresses questions of cultural evolution and human-environmental dynamics. When asked what he is looking forward to Ben replied "Finding intact archaeological layers with good faunal material, diagnostic ceramics, excellent samples of lithics, good stratigraphic evidence to link the human history with the geological history... and maybe a time capsule with a DVD movie showing what life was like "back in the day," oh some 2000 and 1000 years ago.” (Keep hoping, Ben!) Ben’s wife and colleague, Laada Bilaniuk, and their two daughters, Laska, age 10, and Larissa, age 2 are sad that he has to go, but he hopes to be able to bring them to the Kurils in the future and they will enjoy keeping up with the project through "Misty's excellent journal entries.” (Thanks, Ben!)
Mike Etnier - Zooarchaeologist - University of Washington
Mike Etnier, as transplant from "The Volunteer State” of Tennessee received his PhD from the University of Washington Archaeology Department in 2002 and works as a zooarchaeologist and a teacher. The thing that he is most and least looking forward to this summer is getting back on the ship! (Well, mostly the uncertainty about meals on the ship…. Mike very much enjoys being on the water). Like several others on the expedition, Mike gets grouchy if his blood sugar gets too low and he really, really wishes that he could bring his surfboard with him to the Kuril Islands.
Colby Phillips - Archeology Graduate Student - University of Washington
S. Colby Phillips is an Archaeology PhD graduate student, who reports that he is originally from "The South”. He is most looking forward to getting dirty and recovering more obsidian this summer (his research deals with the types of materials that ancient peoples in the Kuril Islands used). He is least looking forward to eating liver and "groetchka” (boiled buckwheat). Colby insists that he doesn’t snore – so if anyone on the expedition hears snoring then it wasn’t him!
James Taylor - Archeology Graduate Student - University of Washington
James Taylor – Archaeology Graduate Student
Shelby Anderson - Archeology Graduate Student - University of Washington
Shelby Anderson, an Archaeology graduate student, is also a KBP newbie. She tells that she is very much looking forward to going to Russia and learning more about the archaeology of the Kuril Islands. She is leery about eating canned meat and the possibility of seasickness (potentially as a result of eating canned meat). People that will have to work and live with her for more than 30 days should know that she loves fishing and she can't sleep when it's light out. Also, that she wishes that she could bring her dog, Otis, to the Kurils (don’t we ALL!?).
Matt Walsh - Archeology Undergraduate Student - University of Washington
Matt Walsh – Archaeology Undergraduate Student
Danielle Plante - Archeology Graduate Student - University of Washington
Danielle (Dani) Yvonne Plante, an Anthropology Department undergraduate, is new to the expedition this year. She hails from Spokane, Washington and enthusiastically anticipating camping and digging in the dirt (particularly since she does not look forward to being on the ship!). Other expedition participants should be forewarned that Dani sings or hums uncontrollably; she gets headaches regularly and loves small spaces. Those who want to get on her good side should ask her about her two dogs (Knox and Monk), her cat (Nabiki) or her fiancé (Douglas). Perhaps not in that order…
Nick Shankle - Archaeology Undergraduate Student - University of Washington
Nicholas Shankle is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington majoring in Anthropology and History and pursuing a minor in Native American studies. He is from Washington State, but I was born in California. He says that he is looking forward to spending time in the Kurils and participating in the project and really can't say that there is anything he is NOT looking forward to. (Well, he hasn't BEEN to Russia, yet, has he?)
Wink
He is a self-declared nice guy who gets along with most anyone.
"The Geos”
Jody Bourgeois - Geology Professor - University of Washington
Jody [Joanne] Bourgeois, is one of the Principal Investigators for KBP and the "Uber Geologist”. A professor in the Earth & Space Sciences Department, University of Washington, she primarily studies tsunamis and is very much looking forward to finding evidence of the November 2006 tsunami in the Central Kurils. She was born and raised in Connecticut, but now considers Washington State her home. This will be her tenth field season in the Russian Far East and though she loves fieldwork, she admits that she will miss her big, blond loveable cat named Bubba. For those who would like to get on Jody’s good side…. she is really grumpy without her coffee and is really appreciative when someone brings it to her in her tent first thing in the morning.
Bre MacInnes - Geology Graduate Student - University of Washington
Originally from North Carolina, Bre MacInnes is a graduate student in the Earth and Space Sciences department – she has just earned her Master’s Degree (Congrats, Bre!) and is collecting data in the Kurils for her PhD Thesis Project. When asked what she is most looking forward to this summer she responded that finding cool geology and sleeping outside in the beautiful, beautiful islands were at the top of her list. However, being on a boat (Bre gets a bit seasick) and eating meat all summer (she is a vegetarian) were things that she was not joyfully anticipating. According to Bre, people who work with her this summer should know that she needs to eat every few hours (umm, who doesn’t?) and that she can be annoyingly optimistic and cheerful.