Scholarship and Biography

Teaches archaeology and studies the development of ancient complex societies in Mesoamerica: the origin and societal functions of early writing, meaning and material culture, and the social and ideological dimensions of mortuary practices.

Honors

Fellowship
Instituto Welte para Estudios Oaxaqueños, 1979
Sterling Prize Fellowship
Yale University (United States, New Haven), 1983-1984
Dissertation Fellowship
Social Science Research Council (United States, New York) - SSRC, 1987-1989
Grant
Wenner-Gren Foundation (United States, New York), 1988
Study Collection Grant
American Museum of Natural History (United States, New York) - AMNH, 1990
Junior Fellow in Pre-Columbian Studies
Dumbarton Oaks (Harvard University), 1990-1991
National Science Foundation Grant
National Science Foundation (United States, Arlington) - NSF, 1997
Marver and Sheva Bernstein Faculty Fellowship
Brandeis University (United States, Waltham), 2001-2002
Mazer Award
Brandeis University (United States, Waltham), 2001-2002
Woodrow Wilson Career Enhancement Fellowship for Junior Faculty from Underrepresented Groups
Brandeis University (United States, Waltham), 2001-2002
Jane's Faculty Development Grant
Brandeis University (United States, Waltham), 2011
Jane's Faculty Development Award
Brandeis University (United States, Waltham), 2014
Jane's Chair of Latin American Studies
Brandeis University (United States, Waltham), 2015
Jane's Faculty Development Award
Brandeis University (United States, Waltham), 2016

Organizational Affiliations

Jane's Chair Professor of Latin American Studies, Department of Anthropology, Brandeis University

Chair, Interdepartmental Program in Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies, Brandeis University

Education

Yale University
Ph.D.
Universidad de las Americas, A.C.
M.A.
Yale University
M.A.
Universidad de las Americas, A.C.
B.A.