Acknowledgements

I would like to first acknowledge and thank my thesis committee, Dr. for your helpful advice in the
analysis and writing of this thesis. you gave me a clarity in times of confusion. I would also like to thank
Dr. at the Smithsoian for allowing me to collect and borrow the slide sample utilized in this research
study. I would also like to thank Dr. you were my greatest teacher in the field of histology.

you were patient and willing to go the extra mile. My friends and compatriots, the Master and Phd
students of Physical anthropology of Michigan state University , were alwas ready to leand and ear to
my ideas. I thank you for that. Specifically, I would like to note the assistance of lindensey jenny and
wendy lackey. you were generous with advice and helped me organize my ideas my roommate, Sara
should also be acknowledged as she has been the mian sounding board for all of my ideas. thank you for
you unending patience. finally, I would like to thank my mother , father, who has supported me in
everything I ‘ve done throughout mu life and this thesis was no different. you have given me my work
ethic and desire to learn. I wouldn’t be here without you.

Many people deserve credit for the completion of this thesis. I will be the first to admit that it would not
have occurred without them.

first , I would like to thank my Mich…state university extension research team. thank you for finding a
place for me and for showing me what a group of passionate people can accomplish. I would especially
like to thank kim……for the long nights and weekends she spent coding data with me.

I am very thankful for my thesis committee. Dr…….. , thank you for challenging me throughout this
project, for demanding that I create something worth reading and for sticking with me. Thank you for
making this a positive learning experience. libby thank you for being a supportive and honest role
model since I started at MSU. Dr. …………thank you for all of your encouragement and flexibility during
this process.

I am indebted to many people for their support throughout my time at Msu thus far. Thank you to the
faculty who pushed me to do better and become more. thank you to the advisors and administrators
who listened to my dreams and moved mountains so I could chase them. I am also grateful for the
phenomenal friendships I have made during the past four years. thank you for making me smile and for
taking care of me.

Lastly , I would like to thank my family as well as those that have become part of it over time. Dad, thank
you for teaching me to dream. Mon thank you for teaching me how to be a good person. ali , thank you
for guiding me by going first. kels nad dken. I cannot put into words how glad I am that I have you in my
life.