Kyle Smith, B.S. 2016

Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University – State College, PA

2016 Major: Evolutionary Anthropology and Biology

How has being an Evolutionary Anthropology graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"The research experiences I had at Duke shaped my career trajectory as a researcher. My very first experiences with research came from the Evanth department, and I did my senior thesis in the Nunn Lab working at the Duke Lemur Center, which was very important in teaching me the skills to carry out my own research project. I had my first fieldwork opportunities abroad in Madagascar and South Africa through programs that have some connection to the department. The connections I made in undergrad resulted in me sticking around the department after graduating as the lab manager for the Duke Canine Cognition Center, which has been pivotal in the direction I went with my Ph.D."

What advice would you give students in Duke's Evolutionary Anthropology programs? 

"Get involved in research! There are loads of interesting research projects happening in the department. Most faculty are more than happy to get undergraduates involved-- don't be shy about asking them about opportunities! Whether or not you want to be a researcher after college, it will help you develop important skills and give you experiences you will remember for years to come."

 

Kyle Smith