Meagan Hatton and Jonathan Dombrosky were among just 20 UNT students to receive the prestigious UNT Undergraduate Research Fellowship. They will be conducting research under the supervision of Dr. Joseph Oppong and Dr. Steve Wolverton.

Poverty and HIV/AIDS in East Texas
Meagan Hatton (Geography) and Dr. Joseph Oppong

The latest research from the CDC and the World Health Organization proposes that poverty is the leading factor in HIV spread. This data suggests that urban areas with extreme poverty have much higher risk of HIV transmission and mortality. Studies have also shown that the United States has a concentrated HIV epidemic, primarily among men who have sex with men and injection drug users. This research will analyze the rates and distribution of HIV/AIDS in East Texas as well as modes of transmission among persons living in poor rural areas, wealthy urban areas, and poor urban areas.

Zooarchaeology of the Tsama Pueblo and Ponsipa'akeri Faunal Remains
Jonathan Dombrosky (Anthropology) and Dr. Steve Wolverton

The occupational history of the American Southwest is extensive. The Northern Rio Grande area of New Mexico is of interest to archaeologists, because it was occupied from roughly AD 1300 to 1600 and postdates the depopulation of Mesa Verde to the northwest. After abandonment, it is debated that the inhabitants of Mesa Verde migrated to the Northern Rio Grande area. This research will analyze animal remains from two sites in the area, Tsama Pueblo and Ponsipa'akeri, to better understand how the ancient inhabitants of the area relied on animal resources during this period of cultural transition.