Spring 2021 Undergraduate Commencement Biographies

Anthro News Digest date: 05/14/2021

Abril Chavez, B.A.Abril Chavez is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Science in Plant Sciences. Abril was born in Mexico City and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, but has grown to love Tucson. For the last three years, Abril has been a resident assistant in Yavapai, Apache-Santa Cruz, and Coronado residence halls. She also works at the Student Engagement and Career Development in Life Lab. Abril intends to teach high school biology, continue working with students, and eventually pursue a master’s degree in controlled agriculture environments.

Abigail Goldberg, B.A.
Hi everyone! My name is Abigail Goldberg and it is an honor to be graduating with the anthropology class of 2021. While it has been an interesting year and I never expected to graduate amidst a pandemic, it is a privilege to be a university of Arizona anthropology student. Thank you to every professor I had that has pushed me and helped me grow. I am looking forward to continuing my commitment to education by becoming a teacher. On to the next journey!

Henry Gorton, B.A.
School of Anthropology Scholars Award
Henry is graduating with a BA in Anthropology and Religious Studies, with a minor in Spanish. Working with Dr. Diane Austin, he completed an Honors undergraduate thesis, “Changes to the American Indian category on the 2020 U.S. Census.” Henry’s thesis looks at how the Census Bureau collects data on Indigenous peoples of Latin America as well as what the Census Bureau can do to improve its surveys and data. After graduating, he plans to work here in Tucson.

Alexandra Johnson, B.S.
Graduating with degrees in both biological anthropology and German studies, Alexandra intends to pursue a Master’s degree in medical anthropology focusing primarily on female reproductive health before continuing on to a Ph.D. program, where she hopes to further her studies in primatology, focusing primarily on female reproduction. She was also recently granted a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship grant in Germany for the upcoming 2021–2022 academic year, and so intends to move back to Germany to complete the Fulbright grant and/or pursue her Master's degree there. She gives special thanks to Dr. Stacey Tecot for not only being her mentor and honors thesis advisor but for also being a great support and role model for future primatologists like herself.

Adrianna Kennedy, B.S.
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Researcher Award
Adrianna Kennedy is graduating with a B.S. in Biological Anthropology. During her time in the SoA she was able to conduct independent research with Dr. Emma Blake on Ötzi, as well as present this research at a symposium for the Max Planck-Harvard Research Center for the Archaeoscience of the Ancient Mediterranean. She is looking forward to continuing her education and is interested in studying isotopic and tooth analyses.

Katrina Lynne Kuxhausen-Derose, B.A.
School of Anthropology Scholars Award
I have completed a triple major in History, Anthropology, and Classics with a minor in Spanish. I am continuing my studies in the University of Arizona's Classics Department to pursue a Masters in Classical Archaeology and prepare for a PhD program. I hope to eventually find a job at a university, museum, or heritage organization that will enable me to address the complexities of conservation and improve accessibility to information using online platforms and digital archaeology methods.

Grace Penry, B.A.
Grace Penry is receiving her B.A. in Anthropology (as well as one in Creative Writing). She participated in ethnographic research with Dr. Richard Stoffle and has spent many hours in the Haury Building. She thoroughly enjoyed her time in the School, and is so grateful for all that she learned. Studying anthropology has changed the ways in which she views and considers the world.

Derrick Pooyouma, B.A.

Nick Rosas, B.S.
Nick Rosas is an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona majoring in Anthropology (BS with a concentration in Human Biology) and minoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He is interested in the evolutionary history of humans and their close relatives, particularly as expressed in the fossil record, as well as in the behavioral ecology of extant primates. Outside of school, he is a fan of science fiction and tabletop games. He is currently exploring further research opportunities and graduate programs in biological anthropology.

Alejandra Trevino-Cuamea, B.S.
Alejandra Trevino-Cuamea is a Tucson native and a proud alum of the Pride of Arizona Marching Band. “Thank you to all who made this journey possible, and inspired my love for anthropology in their own way. Bear Down, Go Cats!”

Catherine Villella, B.A.
Catherine “Cat” Villella is graduating with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Anthropology. She plans to pursue a graduate program in Archaeology.

Rebecca Walton, B.A.
School of Anthropology Leadership Award
I am a Tucson native graduating with a B.A. in Anthropology and Political Science. I fell in love with anthropology after taking Dr. Emma Blake's World Archaeology class my freshman year and I was lucky enough to be able to major in the subject and take two more classes with Dr. Blake. I also fell in love with political science and have decided to pursue a career in law, government, and politics. I am graduating Summa Cum Laude and will be heading to Washington D.C. in the fall to pursue a Masters in Political Science at American University. I have enjoyed my time in the School of Anthropology immensely. The classes and professors in this department are outstanding and I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to learn from each of them.