She received her Ph.D. in 2007 from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Since 1999, she has led a regional research program on prehistoric human burials from Cuzco, Peru, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Her recent articles include “Prehistoric Trepanation in the Cuzco Region of Peru: A View into an Ancient Andean Practice” (with John Verano; 2008) and “Strontium Isotope Evidence for Prehistoric Migration at Chokepukio, Valley of Cuzco, Peru” (with Michele Buzon et al.; 2009). Along with her long-standing research program in Cuzco, she has also investigated trophy-taking among prehistoric groups in California (“Trophy-Taking and Dismemberment as Warfare Strategies in Prehistoric Central California” with Al Schwitalla et al.; 2010).