Introduction
Dr. Miller has been a faculty member at CSULA since 1997. Her research interests include: forensic anthropology, particularly determination of postmortem interval; paleopathology; Contact studies; and repatriation issues. She has served as the Consulting Anthropologist to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner/Coroner since 1998. She was elected a provisional member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 1999 and Fellow in 2006. Dr. Miller is also a member of the International Association for Identification, which established an anthropology section in 2007.
Dr. Miller is a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology.
Dr. Miller is also active within the field of paleopathology, and has been a member of the Paleopathology Association since 1985. In 1998 she was a member of the Scientific Programs Committee, which she co-chaired in 1999, and in 1999 and 2000 she served as Local Arrangements Chair, all for the annual meetings of the Association. Dr. Miller was appointed to the Student Concerns Committee of the Paleopathology Association in 1999, and was elected co-Chair of that committee in 2000.
Additionally, Dr. Miller has been a member of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists since 1985, and began serving on the Career Development Committee in 1995. She continues to serve on this committee. In 2001 she was also appointed to the Student Affairs Committee for a one year term.
Finally, Dr. Miller is currently the Faculty Advisor to the Anthropology Honors Society of Lambda Alpha. If you have any questions about Lambda Alpha, please feel free to contact her.
Teaching Interests
Dr. Miller's primary teaching goal is to provide a thorough education in methods, theory and ethics for students seeking careers in forensic anthropology, paleopathology and other aspects of biological anthropology. This includes hands-on-training in forensic methods and laboratory analysis of human skeletal remains as well as general training in the handling of evidence, courtroom procedure, and the legal and ethical issues of applying anthropology to the law. It also includes the legal and ethical ramifications of repatriation and burial laws, use of museum collections for research, and understanding religious and scientific perspectives on human evolution.
Dr. Miller is dedicated to offering graduate students an opportunity to learn teaching methodology and techniques, and offers opportunities for graduates students to learn how to construct exams, make syllabi, and lecture to undergraduates.
In addition to the forensic anthropology and Human Osteology courses, Dr. Miller teaches a variety of courses in biological anthropology and human evolution, including Advanced Forensic Anthropology, Biological Anthropology Graduate Seminar, Human Evolution, Measurement of Human Difference and Introduction to Biological Anthropology.
Research Interests
Representative Professional Activities
A copy of Dr. Miller's Curriculum Vitae is available for download as a PDF file.
Educational Background
Ph.D. Anthropology 1995
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
M.A. Anthropology 1989
Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
B.A. Geology 1985
Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
Professional Background
Director, Osteology Lab
Repatriation Office
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
Elizabeth Miller
Office: KH D1049
Phone: (323) 343-5205
FAX: (323) 343-2446
Email: [email protected]