I am an underwater and terrestrial archaeologist and Professor in East Carolina University’s Department of History, Program in Maritime Studies. I received a B.A. in Anthropology from University of Florida (go Gators!) and my M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Florida State University. My current research interests include WWII battlefield and conflict archaeology, public and community archaeology, heritage tourism, maritime cultural landscapes and seascapes, and Spanish colonial heritage.
Prior to arriving at ECU in 2013, I was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia from 2004 to 2013. This is when I began working in the western Pacific on WWII conflict sites, but also developed my interest in Indigenous maritime cultural landscapes and seascapes.
Before moving to Australia, I was a Senior Underwater Archaeologist with the State of Florida’s Bureau of Archaeological Research where I continued working on Spanish colonial heritage sites like the 1733 Spanish Galleon Trail.
I am a Research Associate with Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research, Inc. and Chair of the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology.