Spring at Michigan State University also brings in a new decade (2020!) and a new graduate student spotlight. To start the New Year off right, we are highlighting Alex Goots! Alex is currently in her fourth year as a University Distinguished Fellow, a distinction recognizing her past academic achievement, her current research goals, and her future contributions to a diverse educational community. Better yet, it also allows her to work on her dissertation research unencumbered throughout the school year! In previous years, Alex held positions as a Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant, and the MSUFAL Laboratory Manager. Before starting her journey at MSU, Alex earned her undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University in Anthropological Sciences with a minor in Forensic Science and her master’s degree in Anthropology from Texas State University.
Alex did not have an immediate “Ah ha!” moment when discovering her passion for forensic anthropology, but she has always been extremely interested in anthropology. In fact, her first anthropology love was for Egyptian studies, leading her to take Arabic for her language requirement as an undergraduate. This initial interest stemmed from her fascination as a child with Egypt and mummies. Like so many of us that all changed when she was introduced to forensic anthropology and the work they do to aid in identifications. Alex realized she admired this applied aspect of forensic anthropology and the idea that she could have a tangible effect on someone’s life. This is still true today: one of her favorite parts of the field is working on cold cases. Because forensic anthropological methods are always improving, Alex finds it extremely important to review unsolved cases to see if any new information can be provided or any new analyses performed to assist with an identification and bring that ever-so-important closure to family members and loved ones.
So far at MSU, her most fulfilling experience in the field has been working on one of the cases she encountered as the Laboratory Manager last year. An isolated human skull brought to the MSUFAL and reported to be a White female. While performing her analyses, Alex realized something wasn’t quite right. A closer, more nuanced look revealed the remains actually represented an Asian male. This correction led to a nearly immediate identification using NamUS and decedent dental records. While this case taught Alex a very important lesson on cognitive bias, she also saw how extremely rewarding it can be to apply the forensic methods learned during the last decade to successfully close a case.
Now, deep in the throes of dissertation work, Alex is using craniometric data to understand migration. This type of research is exciting because the topic is timeless–the same methods can be applied to almost any sample from any time period to understand the movement of individuals or populations. If all goes well, Alex hopes to explore the magnitude and nature of circum-Mediterranean migration in the early Middle Ages. While pursuing a doctoral degree certainly includes challenges, Alex has found her time at MSU to be enriching and fulfilling in ways she could have never imagined. She has experienced her growth as a scholar and developed relationships with her fellow graduate students and professors, which she knows will last the rest of her career. She is pursuing her doctorate at MSU for these very reasons, in addition to the opportunities provided by the MSUFAL to work on forensic casework and field recoveries, write and sign case reports, work with law enforcement, and process and curate skeletal remains – opportunities rarely offered at other universities. She knew that MSU would enable her to apply what she has learned in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology to real cases and projects.
Alex is an invaluable member of the MSUFAL, constantly working hard and always with a considerate attitude, she brightens even the darkest room with her (generally) well-timed jokes. Off campus, Alex has her favorite Go-To spots in the Greater Lansing area. These include grabbing a beer and pizza from Zoobies, a burrito from El Oasis (a crowd favorite), or a cocktail at American Fifth. Outside of food-related outings, Alex loves going to games and events at the Lugnuts Stadium, walking her dog at Hawk Island, and enjoying time outside in the fall at Uncle John’s Cider Mill! Alex welcomes any opportunity to take her dog out to play or try new restaurants and bars around Lansing, but also finds staying home and cleaning her house while binge-listening to true crime podcasts is very often just what the doctor ordered.
When asked what advice she has for undergraduate students interested in biological anthropology she replied:
“I think the biggest advice I have for undergrads interested in forensic anthropology is to get as much experience as possible in the field! Forensic anthropology isn’t a pretty job, and you can’t really know if it’s the job for you until you smell your first decomp case. Also remember—nothing is beneath you! Any graduate student or professional in the field now got their feet wet doing menial tasks like data entry. If you do a good job at small tasks, you’ll be given more responsibility and more opportunities to work your way up the ladder. Finally, make sure you’re passionate about forensic anthropology before you sign up for many, many years of graduate school. If you are only applying to graduate school because it seems like the obvious next step, you may be doing it for the wrong reasons! But if you go into the field with a passion, then all the challenges of graduate school are well worth it, and you’ll come out the other side having followed your dreams and well prepared for a job in the field!”
This kind of advice epitomizes Alex’s personality, personally and professionally: she is a thoughtful and open-minded mentor and coworker. Needless to say, Alex is an amazing person to have around the lab. We can’t wait to see where her research takes her–and we are REALLY looking forward to our next Taco Tuesday!
Authored by: Rhian Dunn
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