Dr. Christina Ryder | Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award
Texas A&M University | United States
Dr. Christina Ryder is a biological anthropologist whose work integrates advanced analytical techniques with archaeological and paleoenvironmental research. She earned her PhD in Biological Anthropology from the University of Colorado Boulder, following an MA in Anthropology from New York University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Biological Anthropology and Biology. Her academic and research experience includes postdoctoral research in North American paleoanthropology and megafaunal studies, as well as extensive teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels in biological and forensic anthropology. Her research focuses on Late Pleistocene paleoecology, human–environment interactions, and the development of non-destructive analytical methods, particularly the application of near-infrared spectroscopy for assessing bone collagen preservation to improve radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis. She has led and contributed to externally funded research supported by major foundations and has actively participated in interdisciplinary collaborations bridging archaeology, geochemistry, and evolutionary biology. Dr. Ryder has published 7 scholarly documents, which have received 139 citations from 136 citing documents, resulting in an h-index of 5, indicating growing international impact. Her work has been recognized through competitive fellowships and a university-level teaching excellence award. Overall, her contributions advance methodological innovation in biological anthropology while strengthening the integration of laboratory science, archaeological interpretation, and higher education.
Featured Publications
From Model to Practice: Applications of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Archaeological Bone
– Journal of Archaeological Science, 2025