Megan receives a National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant!

We are thrilled to announce that Doctoral candidate Megan Veltri was awarded a Biological Anthropology Program National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (NSF-DDRIG)! This highly competitive grant recognizes Megan’s innovative dissertation research and provides her with financial support to continue collecting her dissertation data.

Megan’s research, titled The Effects of Chronic Social Stress on Immune Regulation of Bone and Cartilage within the Braincase Floor, employs an experimental mouse model in which individuals experienced early-and later-life changes in social status to determine if the development and maintenance of the cranium are altered due to stress-related changes from alterations in social status. Using histology and immunohistochemistry, Megan will analyze the effects of social stress on the bones and cartilage of the braincase floor (i.e., cranial base) to determine if alterations in social status influence the stress response, thereby modifying the cellular morphology of the braincase floor. Understanding potential effects of stress on the cranium is important because changes in cranial form can offer insight into fitness related costs that early hominins may have endured, as sociality and social status are hallmarks in human evolution. Additionally, changes in skull form can provide researchers with insight on the effects of social stress and social status on human health disparities.

Megan has numerous people she would like to thank: Her advisors, Dr. Joan Richtsmeier and Dr. Tim Ryan, for their help and support with the proposal and research. Her partner Jamie for his support, dedication, love, laughter, validation, and kindness. To her colleagues inside and outside of the lab, who have helped her with methodology, analysis, and support. And last but not least, to her closest friends, who also provided her with support, love, kindness, validation, and laughter 24/7. She could would not be where she is without all of the people who have helped her along the way.

Congratulations, and great work Megan!