Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Labs
  • Home
  • Lab Team
  • News and Events
  • Projects
  • Publications
  • Social Media
Select Page

Social Media

unlv_fab_lab

We are the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Forensic Anthropology & Bioarchaeology Lab!

Check out what MA student Anna Stolz was up to ove Check out what MA student Anna Stolz was up to over the summer:

Over the summer, Anna was a forensic anthropology intern at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine with the Medical Examiner and Forensic Services. As an intern, she was responsible for helping in forensic casework, alongside co-authoring scientific identification and case reports. She also learned more about maceration methods, fracture histology, using LODOX and portable CT scanners, and forensic pathology. Aside from anthropology endeavors, she spent the rest of the summer traveling and hiking throughout northern Michigan, seeing as many cliffs, bluffs, and waterfalls as possible. Anna also attended her brother’s wedding and had to explain forensic anthropology about 1,000 times. She is excited to be back and get into the swing of the semester. 

#unlv #unlvanthropology #unlvanthro #forensicanthropology #UNLVFABLab #kalamazoo
The FAB lab is excited to introduce Grace Ellis! The FAB lab is excited to introduce Grace Ellis!

Grace is an incoming MA student under Dr. Derek Boyd

#unlv #graduatestudent #unlvanthro #unlvanthropology #bioarchaeology #forensicanthropology
The FAB Lab is excited to introduce Ella Uren ! E The FAB Lab is excited to introduce Ella Uren !

Ella is an incoming PhD student under Dr. Jennifer Byrnes. 

#unlv #unlvanthropology #unlvanthro #bioarchaeology #forensicanthropology
Introducing our new lab manager, Stephanie! Step Introducing our new lab manager, Stephanie! 

Stephanie has interned at medical examiner offices in Los Angeles and New York City. As FAB Lab manager, she will help oversee forensic casework, maintain the lab's day-to-day functions, and be an educational resource for other students. 

Thank you, Dr. Liam Johnson for everything you have done for the FAB Lab and for guiding Stephanie into this new role.
The FAB Lab is excited to introduce Allyson Frisbi The FAB Lab is excited to introduce Allyson Frisbie! 

Allyson is an incoming M.A./ PhD student under Dr. Derek Boyd. 

#unlv #graduatestudent #unlvanthro #bioarchaeology #forensicanthropology #unlvanthropology
FAB lab member Katie Gaddis Menor attended the Soc FAB lab member Katie Gaddis Menor attended the Society of American Archaeology's Annual Meeting in San Francisco this year. She organized and chaired the session entitled " Everyday Lives Unearthed: Bioarchaeology of Daily Life in Medieval and Early Modern Europe." Congratulations Katie on a successful session!

#FABLABUNLV #UNLVANTHRO #unlvanthropology #SAA2026 #archaeology #bioarchaeology
We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Johnson! Congratu We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Johnson! Congratulations on all your accomplishments! 

#unlv #phd #unlvanthropology #forensicanthropology #fablabunlv
Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Byrnes, who was aw Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Byrnes, who was awarded the UNLV 2026 Community Engagement Award for her Forensic Anthropology Consultation work for the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner (CCOCME)!

The award honors programs and projects that demonstrate collaboration, reciprocity, and deep commitment to making a positive impact on our university and Nevada communities.

#unlvanthropology #unlvanthro #fablabunlv #communityengagement #forensicanthropology
The Fab Lab participated in the 2026 UNLV Communit The Fab Lab participated in the 2026 UNLV Community Engagement Expo! The event highlights academic partnerships between UNLV and the Southern Nevada community. The poster session showcases faculty, staff, and student projects that serve Southern Nevada.

#unlvanthropology #unlvanthro #unlvcommunityengagementexpo #unlvgradrebels #unlvfablab #communityengagement
Dr. Byrnes has co-authored a case report in Forens Dr. Byrnes has co-authored a case report in Forensic Anthropology! Be sure to check out the latest publication.

#unlvanthropology #unlvanthro #forensicanthropology #fablabunlv
Current students in the Forensic Anthropology and Current students in the Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Lab, co-directed by Drs. Jennifer Byrnes and Derek Boyd attended the annual meeting of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists last month in Denver, CO. 

Master's student Sara McClory (Byrnes & Boyd, co-advised) presented her poster "Dissected, Collected, and Unidentifiable? Embracing the challenges of identifying an 'unknowable' collected person as ethical bioarchaeological praxis." 

Doctoral student Elise Adams (Boyd, Advisor) presented her poster Dispossessed in Death: Ethics, Provenance, and the Return of Human Remains."

#unlvanthropology #unlvanthro #biologicalanthropology #AABA2026 #fablabunlv
We are pleased to introduce Dr. Lopez!! Congratula We are pleased to introduce Dr. Lopez!! Congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment!!!

#unlv #anthropology #phd #bioarchaeology #womeninscience #dissertationdone
Congratulations to our Katie Stansbury! She receiv Congratulations to our Katie Stansbury! She received the UNLV President's Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for the 2025-2026 Academic Year, worth $25,000! She was also awarded the UNLV Graduate Summer Research Fellowship, valued at $7,000, to support her dissertation research!

We are so proud of you!

#unlvanthro #fablab #unlvanthropology
Current and previous graduate students in the Fore Current and previous graduate students in the Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Lab, co-directed by Drs. Jennifer Byrnes and Derek Boyd attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences this past week.

Dr. Jennifer Byrnes presented a paper, co-authored with doctoral students Liam Johnson and Dayanira Lopez, titled “Drier Futures, Falling Waters: A Retrospective Analysis of Lake Mead’s Forensic Anthropology Cases," in a symposium that she co-organized titled “Climate Change in Forensic Anthropology.”

Dr. Derek Boyd co-presented a talk titled “Developing Evidence-Based Approaches for Taphonomic Histories: A Call for Communication Across the Disciplinary Divide” in a session he co-organized titled “From Fundamentals to Formulation: Developing Interdisciplinary Approaches for Taphonomy Research.”

Doctoral student Liam Johnson (Byrnes, Advisor) presented a paper co-authored with doctoral student Katherine Gaddis (Byrnes, Advisor), titled "Patterns of Heat-Related Mortality in Southern Nevada: Forensic and Public Health Implications."

Doctoral student Elise Adams presented a poster, co-authored with her advisor, Dr. Boyd, titled “Understanding Time-to-Recovery: A Demographic and Spatial Analysis of Decedents in Las Vegas, Nevada.”

Doctoral student Laura Jordan presented a poster, co-authored with her advisor Dr. Jennifer Byrnes, titled "A Retrospective Analysis of the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner Pediatric Homicides (1991–2024)". 

Alumni Dr. Taylor Flaherty ('25, Byrnes, Advisor) presented their paper, co-authored with Dr. Jennifer Byrnes and UNLV Anthropology Undergraduate alumni Molly Morano, entitled "Using Virtual 3D Models of the Pelvis to Explore Biometric Relationships Between Transgender and Cisgender Adults."

#unlvanthropology #unlvanthro #forensicanthropology #AAFS2026 #fablabunlv
Last week, on January 31, the FAB Lab, in partners Last week, on January 31, the FAB Lab, in partnership with the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner, hosted the Second Annual Missing in Nevada Day! 

This year, 18 families met with investigative teams, 8 new missing persons reports were taken, and one family was reunited with their missing loved one—found alive.

We are deeply grateful to every family, community partner, and professional who helped make this day meaningful and compassionate.

Together, we continue the work of bringing answers, connection, and hope to the communities we serve.
This research study surveys forensic anthropology This research study surveys forensic anthropology students about their past or current formal and informal experiences and training with medical imaging. Our research team, composed of Drs. Amy Spies (A.T. Still University), Jennifer Byrnes (UNLV), and Derek Boyd (UNLV) are interested in assessing curricula and training in forensic anthropology programs to develop consensus-based criteria for this core competency.

To participate in this study, you must:

-Be at least 18 years of age
-Have at least a High School diploma or equivalent
-Be enrolled in, or have recently (within the last year) completed a degree in, forensic anthropology, or any anthropology discipline with a focus in forensics (e.g., undergraduate concentrations, certificates, and/or graduate programs).

The survey will take about 10-15 minutes. If you have questions about this research, please contact Amy Spies (amyspies@atsu.edu) or Jennifer Byrnes (jennifer.byrnes@unlv.edu). 

To take the survey scan the QR code above or navigate to this URL:
https://tinyurl.com/3583rd8f

If you have questions or concerns about the rights of research participants, please contact the UNLV Institutional Review Board (IRB) at irb@unlv.edu or ATSU IRB at mesaIRB@atsu.edu.

#forensicanthropology #unlvfablab #unlvanthropology #unlvanthro #medicalimaging
Congratulations to Fab Lab members Laura Jordan an Congratulations to Fab Lab members Laura Jordan and Liam Johnson! They were selected as winners of the Student Affiliate Scholarship by the Forensic Sciences Foundation. AAFS attendees should check out Laura's poster: "A Retrospective Analysis of the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner Pediatric Homicides (1991–2024)" Authors: Laura Jordan, Candace Caterer, Jennifer Byrnes, Melanie Rouse, Nathan Shaller.

A special thank you to our fellow labmate, Katie Gaddis-Menor, who is a co-author on Liam's AAFS paper "Patterns of Heat-Related Mortality in Southern Nevada: Forensic and Public Health Implications."

#unlvgradrebels #unlvfablab #unlvanthro #unlvanthropology #aafs2026 #forensicscience #forensicanthropology
Exciting News!!! As a co-organizer with the Clark Exciting News!!!

As a co-organizer with the Clark County Office of the Coroner/ Medical Examiner, the UNLV FAB Lab is proud to announce the details for the Second Annual Missing in Nevada Day event!

Join us Saturday, January 31 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the UNLV Gateway Building for a community-centered day dedicated to supporting families and friends of missing loved ones.

This free event brings together local agencies, forensic specialists, and community partners to help families report missing loved ones, provide DNA samples, share documentation, and connect with compassionate professionals committed to finding answers.

Please help us spread the word 💙
For more information, contact: MissingInNevada@ClarkCountyNV.gov

#MissingPersonsAwareness #SupportForFamilies #CommunityResources #NevadaCommunity #ClarkCountyNV #MissingInNevadaDay #FABLab #FABLabUNLV #UNLVAnthropology
Join us in celebrating Dr. Derek Boyd, co-director Join us in celebrating Dr. Derek Boyd, co-director of the Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Laboratory and Assistant Professor of Anthropology on officially becoming a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology! 🎉

This is an incredible accomplishment which reflects Dr. Boyd's contributions to the field and the communities we serve. 

Congratulations Dr. Boyd!
Congratulations to Dayanira (Dee) Lopez! Her resea Congratulations to Dayanira (Dee) Lopez! Her research has been selected for the Lambda Alpha Archaeology Research Grant! We are so proud of you Dee, way to go! 

#FABLabUNLV #FABLab #UNLVAnthropology #unlvanthro #UNLVResearch #GraduateStudentSuccess #ArchaeologyResearch #Bioarchaeology #AnthroLife #AcademicAchievement #LambdaAlpha #STEMCommunity #WomenInSTEM #PhDLife #ResearchInAction #StudentSpotlight #AnthropologyInAction
Check out more FAB Lab updates on Instagram!
© 2026 UNLV