I wrote “Crossbones: Forensic Osteology of the Whydah Pirates” in response to a request for a research proposal in Kate Ness’s WR 150 course. This particular course focused on the history and rumor of historic Atlantic pirates from a variety of sources, including literature, film, and the sole confirmed pirate wreck, the Whydah. Prompted by my interest in biomedical sciences, I developed the project to help expose the typical pirate’s socioeconomic background before, during, and after engaging in piracy by utilizing modern forensic techniques on human bones found on site at the Whydah.
ANDREA FOSTER is a part of the Neuroscience Department in the College of Arts and Sciences with minors in biology, chemistry, and applied mathematics. She has participated in blast traumatic brain injury research in the Eldred lab for the past three years and has presented posters at the UROP convention and the annual Joining Forces TBI/PTSD Event. Currently, she is applying to medical schools across the country and hopes to eventually practice neurosurgery in her home state of Alaska.