Faculty Profile: Dr. Tracy Betsinger
Dr. Tracy Betsinger joined our department
in the Fall 2008 semester as an Assistant Professor. She completed her B.A. in
Anthropology and Indian Studies from University of North Dakota, her B.S. in
Biology from University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, her M.A. from University of
Tennessee, and her Ph.D. from the Ohio State University. Prior to joining our
department, Dr. Betsinger held a post-doctoral research position with the
Global History of Health Project, the Ohio State University. She plans to
continue her association with this international project.
Dr.
Betsinger’s research interests include bioarchaeology, paleopathology, skeletal
biology, and the effects of gender, social status, and settlement patterns on
health and well-being of populations. In particular, she is interested in disease,
stress and deprivation, diet, and warfare and trauma. Dr. Betsinger conducts
research on medieval populations from Poznań, Poland and on prehistoric,
precontact populations in eastern Tennessee.
Her doctoral
dissertation, entitled “The Biological Consequences of Urbanization in Medieval
Poland,” examined how increasing population size and density affected the
overall health of the population, including stress, disease, interpersonal
violence, and diet.
Currently,
Dr. Betsinger is involved in research on skeletal collections from prehistoric
Tennessee, examining patterns of treponemal disease, oral health, and overall
health (with Dr. Maria O. Smith, Loyola University of Chicago). In addition,
she is involved in research focused on dental development and sexual dimorphism
(with Dr. Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg and Dr. John Hunter, Ohio State
University).
Courses
taught by Dr. Betsinger:
ANTH 130
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
ANTH 232 Human
Biology and Culture Change
ANTH 294
Special Topics: Bioarchaeology
ANTH 331 Human
Skeletal Anatomy
ANTH 336
Forensic Anthropology
ANTH 390
Issues in Anthropology
E-Mail: Tracy.Betsinger@oneonta.edu