Working with a human skeleton in Elizabethtown College Associate Professor of Biological Anthropology Elizabeth Newell’s research lab this fall, Chemistry senior Marissa Lesko ’23 was determined to learn as much as possible about who the individual was.
Utilizing methods of biological anthropology and osteology, Lesko, who is conducting research involving forensic chemistry, was interested in estimating their sex, ancestry, stature, and age at death. However, in order to carry out these analyses on the skeleton, which had spent many years as a teaching specimen at a local school, much preparatory work had to be done.
The skeleton needed to be disarticulated, and while much of this work could be accomplished with simple wire cutters and pliers, the assistance of someone skilled in working with metal was also required since several of the limb bones were joined with metal plates. Enter Mark Gatti, Manager of Engineering Laboratories & Student Project, who was up for the unusual challenge.
Throughout the fall, Gatti and Lesko worked together in the Department of Engineering and Physics’ Bollman Fabrication Lab, where the duo tested various tools to see which would efficiently cut through the metal without damaging the fragile bone.
“I had no idea what type of tools would have been helpful in removing brackets from the bones,” Lesko said. “Mr. Gatti not only educated me on how each tool worked but actually let me use them to cut through the brackets.”
This collaborative, interdisciplinary project provided a unique educational experience for both Blue Jays as Lesko learned about power tools and Gatti learned about bones.
“Through my research, I have been able to combine my love of chemistry and my love of anthropology and I believe it has broadened my knowledge of both topics,” Lesko explained. “Since I would like to go into a career in forensic science I believe that this interdisciplinary collaboration has prepared me to work with others across the multiple fields of the discipline.”
Lesko will continue her analysis on the skeleton in the spring, removing paint that has accumulated over the years and working with Dr. Newell to identify any skeletal or dental pathologies that are present.