Updated April 7, 2025
EDUCATION
Ph.D., 2024
Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
The University of Texas at Austin, TX
Advisor: Timothy M. Shanahan
Committee Members:
Christopher J. Bell (UT Austin)
Philip C. Bennett (UT Austin)
Melissa Kemp (UT Austin)
Matthew J. Collins (Cambridge University / University of Copenhagen)
Dissertation: “Mechanistic Underpinnings of Lacustrine brGDGT Production, and Proteomic Vertebrate Taxonomic Identification of Phrynosomatid Lizards and Arvicoline Rodents.”
M.Sc. (Hons), 2015
Dept. of Archaeology, BioArch Centre
University of York, York, UK
Advisor: Terry O’Connor
Reviewers:
Terry O’Connor (University of York)
Oliver Craig (University of York),
Rick Schulting (University of Oxford)
Thesis: “A Tale of Three Caves: Faunal Contextualisation of Mixed Human and Animal Assemblages from the Yorkshire Dales.”
B.A., 2008
Department of English & Department of French (minor)
University of California, Berkeley, CA
Advisor: Jennifer Miller
Thesis: “The Wycliffe Bible”
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Seersholm, Frederik V.; Werndly, Daniel J.; Grealy, Alicia; Johnson, Taryn; Keenan Early, Erin M.; Lundelius, Ernest L. Jr.; Winsborough, Barbara; Farr, Grayal Earle; E., Toomey, Rickard; Hansen, Anders J.; Shapiro, Beth; Waters, Michael R.; McDonald, Gregory; Linderholm, Anna; Stafford, Thomas W. Jr. and Bunce, Michael, (2020). Rapid range shifts and megafaunal extinctions associated with late Pleistocene climate change. Nature Communications, 11(1), pp.1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16502-3
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2019). Faunal Analysis for 41LM113 for Llano Uplift Archaeological Society, 87-95. In Hixson, Charles A. A Deceptively Early Assemblage from the Simms Creek Site in the Lampasas Cut Plain of Central Texas, Bulletin of the Texas Archaeological Society. 90.
SUBMITTED / IN REVIEW
Keenan Early, Erin M., Bell, Christopher J., Collins, Matthew J., Shanahan, Timothy M. (n.d.). ‘Proteomic analysis resulting in species-level identification of recently diverged North American arvicoline rodents.’ In review at Journal of Quaternary Sciences.
Keenan Early, Erin M., Bell, Christopher J., Collins, Matthew J., Todd, Victoria L., Shanahan, Timothy M. (n.d.). ‘Proteomic taxonomic identification can identify cryptic diversity of Squamata in modern and paleontological specimens.’ In review at Scientific Reports.
Yi Zhong, Yanguang Liu, Jiaoyang Ruan, Chijun Sun, Mingqiang Liang, Stefanie Kaboth-Bahr, Peter D. Clift, Shixia Yang, Christopher J. Bae, Erin M. Keenan Early, John A. Moretti, André Bahr, Qiuzhen Yin, Juan C. Larrasoaña, William R. Gray, Chenyu Sun, Xu Zhang, Zhengyao Lu, Hu Yang, Xiaolin Ren, Tengfei Song, Wenyue Xia, Yuxing Liu, Shen Yang, Hai Li, Yuanjie Li, Qingsong Liu (n.d.). ‘Climatic and ecological transitions in last deglacial Beringia.’ In review at PNAS.
IN PREPARATION
Keenan Early, Erin M., Shanahan, Timothy M., Bennett, Phillip C. (estimated May 2025 submission). ‘The role of bacterial thermal classification on brGDGT production in incubation experiments.’ In preparation for submittal to Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.
PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS
Fleming, Elijah; Rabinowitz, Adam; Keenan Early, Erin M.; Springs, Lauren; Shanahan, Timothy M. (2025). ‘Limitations and Challenges of Sex Determination Methods for Archaeological Human Remains.’ Society of American Archaeology, 90th Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, April 23-27
Keenan Early, Erin M.; Rabinowitz, Adam; Shanahan, Timothy M. (2025). ‘Novel Application of Paleotemperature Proxy to Archaeological Context.’ Society of American Archaeology, 90th Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, April 23-27
Keenan Early, Erin M. and Shanahan, Timothy M. (2023). ‘Oxygen as a Confounding Factor in brGDGT Temperature Estimates in Incubation Experiments.’ Abstract ID# 1429221. AGU23, PP028. Lipid Biomarkers as Environmental Proxies: Developoment, Calibrations, and Applications, San Francisco, CA, December 11-15
Rayfield, Kristen M.; Keenan Early, Erin M.; Hughes, Karissa; Singleton, Robin; Williams, Sara; Bethke, Brandi; Hofman, Courtney (2022). ‘Taxonomic Resolution of Plains Zooarchaeology through ZooMS.’ 79th Plains Anthropological Conference, General Poster Session: Human-Animal Interactions, Oklahoma City, OK, October 15, 2022, pp. 57-58.
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2018). ‘Identification of Morphologically Unidentifiable Bone using Collagenous Protein.’ Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology’s 78th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, October 20, 2018, pp. 157. Link: https://vertpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/SVP-2018-program-book-V4-FINAL-with-covers-9-24-18.pdf
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2018). ‘The Application of ZooMS to North American Faunal Material. Texas Academy of Science’s 121st Annual Meeting, Geosciences Oral Session 2, 66-67, Midland, TX, March 3, 2018, pp. 66-67. Link: https://www.texasacademyofscience.org/assets/PastMeetingPrograms/TAS%20Program%202018.pdf
Lassen, Robert and Keenan Early, Erin M. (2017). Radiocarbon Dating at the Gault Site: A Case Study in Collaboration Between AMS and ZooMS to Analyze Promising Faunal Samples. Society for American Archaeology’s 82nd Annual Meeting, Poster Session 345-d, 225, Vancouver, BC, April 1, 2017.
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2017). ‘Applying ZooMS to Gault Site Faunal Material: Identifying the Unidentifiable and the Case for Database Expansion.’ Society for American Archaeology’s 82nd Annual Meeting, General Session 181, 141, Vancouver, BC, March 31, 2017.
Keenan, Erin and Mann, Brittany (2016). ‘Faunal Analysis’ for Crambeck Project 2014 Spring Season, 445-476. In Wood, R. Late Romano-British Pottery Production in Context: Crambeck Ware and its Landscape Setting. PhD thesis, Department of Archaeology, University of York.
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2016). ‘Improving Species Identification in Texas: The Case for ZooMS in North America.’ Paper presented to the Texas Archaeological Society, Nagadoches, TX, October 28, 2016
Keenan, Erin and O’Connor, Terry (2015). ‘Faunal Contextualisation of Mixed Human and Animal Remains from Yorkshire Dales.’ Association of Environmental Archaeology, From Anthrosphere to Lithoshpere (and Back Again): A Celebration of the Career and Research of Terry O’Connor, 23, University of York, Nov. 7, 2015.
Kowicki, Katie; Mann, Brittany; and Keenan, Erin (2014). Human Skeletal Report for the Remains from Crambeck, North Yorkshire.Report held by the Malton Museum, Malton, UK.
INVITED LECTURES
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2024). ‘On Bacteria and Proteins: Using Biomolecular Methods to Consider Paleoecological Questions.’ Presentation to Paleontology Seminar in partial fulfillment of PhD requirements, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin, Texas, April 13, 2024.
Keenan Early, Erin M. and Shanahan, Timothy M. (2022). Paleotemperatures from fossil bone: A new approach using archaeal and bacterial membrane lipids.’ Presentation to Planet Texas 2050 Symposium, UT Austin, Texas, April 12, 2022.
Keenan Early, Erin M., Shanahan, Timothy M. (2020). ‘Unearthing brGDGTs: Exploring the Direct Application of brGDGTs to Paleontological Questions.’ Presentation to Paleontology Seminar, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin, Texas, September 24, 2020.
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2017). ‘Bringing the Bovids Home: Adding North American Species to the ZooMS Database.’ Presentation to Paleontology Department, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin, Texas, November 30, 2017.
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2016). ‘The Gault Site, Zooarchaeology, and the Application of Peptide Mass Fingerprinting.’ Presentation to Llano Uplift Archaeological Society, Kingsland, Texas, November 9, 2016.
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2016). ‘The Gault Site, Zooarchaeology, and Identifying the Unidentifiable.’ Presentation to What Rough Beast? Nerd Nite 79, Nerd Nite Austin, Austin, Texas, April 13, 2016.
NON-PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2018). Faunal Analysis for 41LM113 for Llano Uplift Archaeological Society. Report submitted to Llano Uplift Archaeological Society, Kingsland, Texas. 1-13
Oswald, A and Keenan, Erin (2014) Earthwork survey of the prehistoric promontory fort in Ox Carr Wood (EN4382 Ox Carr Wood, North Yorkshire). http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/EN4382.html
UNPUBLISHED WORKS
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2018). ‘ZooMS in the New World: The Need for a North American Faunal Database.’ Poster presented to Ancient Proteins@20, Copenhagen, DK, August 19-22, 2018.
OTHER LECTURES
Keenan Early, Erin M. and Shanahan, Timothy M. (2023). ‘Serial Water Incubations Show Growth and Adjustment of GDGT-Producing Bacteria to Temperature.’ Poster presented to 12th Annual Jackson School Research Symposium, February 11, 2023.
Keenan Early, Erin M. (2020). ‘ZooMS in the New World: The Need for a North American Faunal Database.’ Poster presented to 9th Annual Jackson School Research Symposium, February 15, 2020.
COURSES TAUGHT
University of Texas at Austin, Teaching Assistant
GEO 303 Introduction to Geology – Undergraduate, non-major course. Fall 2023
University of Texas at Austin, Teaching Assistant
GEO 303E Earth in 2100 – Undergraduate, non-major course. Fall 2020, Spring 2022
University of Texas at Austin, Teaching Assistant
GEO 405 Life Through Time – Undergraduate, Geology major and Science Credit general education course. Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2024
University of Texas at Austin, Teaching Assistant
GEO 302D Age of Dinosaurs – Undergraduate, non-major course. Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018 (Lead)
STUDENTS MENTORED
Megan Mulroy | Texas State University, San Marcos 2015
Ashley Eden Hill | Texas State University, San Marcos 2016
Annette Romero | Texas State University, San Marcos 2017
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Forensic Anthropology Human Bone II Bone Taphonomy Morphology of the Vertebrate Skeleton
Digital Methods in Morphology Applied Data Analysis Biostatistics Ancient Biomolecules
Bioinformatics (short course) Structure / Function of Proteins and Nucleic Acids Geomicrobiology
APPOINTMENTS
Archaeologist
JMT | Round Rock, TX
May 2025 to Present
Graduate Research Assistant
Jackson School Museum of Earth History
Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory
The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX
Processed repository collection of Cope holotypes including inventory, photographing, minor repairs, and literature review in preparation for an updated Taxonomy publication. (May – December 2024)
| Processed repository collection of Cope holotypes including inventory, photographing, minor repairs, and literature review in preparation for an updated Taxonomy publication. | May 2024 – December 2024 |
Graduate Research Assistant
Planet Texas 2050 interdisciplinary research project
The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX
Conducted lipid (brGDGT) analysis on archaeological soil and human osteological samples to evaluate the efficacy of methodological application to archaeological contexts. Conducted additional experiments to improve lipid extraction from osteological material.
(August – December 2021)
| Conducted lipid (brGDGT) analysis on archaeological soil and human osteological samples to evaluate the efficacy of methodological application to archaeological contexts. Conducted additional experiments to improve lipid extraction from osteological material. |
Graduate Research Assistant
Jackson School Museum of Earth History
Nonvertebrate Paleontology Laboratory
The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX
Digitally photographed and processed stack images of fossils for digitization of the paleontology collections held at UT Austin as part of the collaborative NSf ADBC TCN Grant funded project, “The Cretaceous World: Digitizing Fossils to Reconstruct Evolving Ecosystems in the Western Interior Seaway.”
(January -August 2019)
| Digitally photographed and processed stack images of fossils for digitization of the paleontology collections held at UT Austin as part of the collaborative NSf ADBC TCN Grant funded project, “The Cretaceous World: Digitizing Fossils to Reconstruct Evolving Ecosystems in the Western Interior Seaway.” |
Staff Specialist, Gault School of Archaeological Research, Texas State University, Dept. of Anthropology| San Marcos, TX
Conduct macroscopic and biomolecular analyses on archaeological faunal material, with a focus on the Gault site; educate volunteers and interns interested in zooarchaeology; participate in public outreach.
(September 2015 – August 2017)
| Conduct macroscopic and biomolecular analyses on archaeological faunal material, with a focus on the Gault site; educate volunteers and interns interested in zooarchaeology; participate in public outreach | September 2015 – August 2017 |
Project Archaeologist, Goshawk Environmental Consulting, Inc.| Austin, TX
CRM survey work and report production, conduct desktop surveys, manage field crew. (March – August, 2015)
| CRM survey work and report production, conduct desktop surveys, manage field crew. | March – August, 2015 |
Field Technician, Hicks & Company and Goshawk Environmental Consulting | Austin, TX
Assist in CRM survey work and report production. (February – March, 2015)
| Assist in CRM survey work and report production. | February – March, 2015 |
Visiting Scholar, Texas State University, San Marcos| San Marcos, Texas
Assessed feasibility of project to expand the ZooMS library to include North American species and improve local archaeological understanding through faunal identification through the Gault School of Archaeological Research at Texas State University. (February – October, 2015)
| Assessed feasibility of project to expand the ZooMS library to include North American species and improve local archaeological understanding through faunal identification through the Gault School of Archaeological Research at Texas State University. | February – October, 2015 |
Field Technician, Archaeological/Historical Consultants | Oakland, CA
Conducted shovel test pitting and hand auger tests in downtown San Rafael, CA ahead of development. (September – October, 2014)
| Conducted shovel test pitting and hand auger tests in downtown San Rafael, CA ahead of development. | September – October, 2014 |
Legal Assistant / Office Manager, The Cook Law Firm | Austin, TX November 2011 – September 2013
Business and Corporate Administrative Assistant, Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley, LLP | Oakland, CA February – August 2011
Constituent Caseworker / Field Representative, California State Senate | San Francisco, CA June 2009 – February 2011
FIELDWORK
Halls Cave Excavation | Mountain Home, TX, USA
Sampled a three-meter column at 3-5cm intervals for bulk aDNA analysis as part of a larger aDNA paleoecological project based out of Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| Sampled a three-meter column at 3-5cm intervals for bulk aDNA analysis as part of a larger aDNA paleoecological project based out of Curtin University, Perth, Australia. | August 31 – September 5, 2016 |
700 Springs Archaeological Survey / Excavation | Junction, TX, USA
Sampled a three-meter column at 3-5cm intervals for bulk aDNA analysis as part of a larger aDNA paleoecological project based out of Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Conducted surface survey to identify presence of archaeological materials and assess potential for further work.
| Conducted initial archaeological excavations using test-pits, small trenches, and larger backhoe trenching based off of results from surface survey in December 2015. | April 21 – 26, 2016 | |
| Conducted surface survey to identify presence of archaeological materials and assess potential for further work. | December 15 – 17, 2015 | |
Teffont Archaeological Project / Field School | Teffont, UK
Conducted test-pit excavations and grid recording to prepare for full excavation during July and August.
| Conducted test-pit excavations and grid recording to prepare for full excavation during July and August. | April 6 – April 13, 2014 |
Worked on a four-person team within the larger excavation project, excavating and fully recording Roman archaeological features and material. Assisted in record keeping of context sheets, samples, and drawings. Shared supervision of trench.
| Worked on a four-person team within the larger excavation project, excavating and fully recording Roman archaeological features and material. Assisted in record keeping of context sheets, samples, and drawings. Shared supervision of trench. | July 25 – August 10, 2014 |
Crambeck Excavation 2014 | Crambeck, UK
Participated in the inaugural excavation at Crambeck, gaining experience in excavation and full recording (photographing, drawing, levels, and context sheets) of features, as well as conducting an analytical earthwork survey of an adjacent earthwork.
| Participated in the inaugural excavation at Crambeck, gaining experience in excavation and full recording (photographing, drawing, levels, and context sheets) of features, as well as conducting an analytical earthwork survey of an adjacent earthwork. | March 24 – April 4, 2014 |
Geophysical Survey of Malton Priory | Old Malton, England
Assisted with magnetometry and resistivity survey of priory and adjacent grounds.
| Assisted with magnetometry and resistivity survey of priory and adjacent grounds. | March 18, 20 and 21, 2014 |
Geophysical Survey of Breary Banks | Masham, England
Assisted with GPS survey of WWI training grounds and POW camp.
| Assisted with GPS survey of WWI training grounds and POW camp. | December 2, 2013 |
VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY WORK
Forensic Archaeology Recovery (FAR) Roster
Listed as active prospective volunteer to provide as-needed assistance at disaster sites to locate, record, and recover human remains, personal artifacts, or physical evidence.
| Listed as active prospective volunteer to provide as-needed assistance at disaster sites to locate, record, and recover human remains, personal artifacts, or physical evidence. | Current Active Listing |
Gault Archaeological Project | Texas State University, San Marcos
Determine suitability of faunal material for ZooMS analysis, sample specimens, liaise with UT San Antonio, UT Austin, assist drafting of relevant documents.
| Determine suitability of faunal material for ZooMS analysis, sample specimens, liaise with UT San Antonio, UT Austin, assist drafting of relevant documents. | October 2014 – January, 2015 |
Royal Dragoon Guards Museum | York, UK
Assist in packaging collection items for storage during museum refurbishment.
| Assist in packaging collection items for storage during museum refurbishment. | February – April 201 |
Finds Processor, York Archaeological Trust | York, UK
Finds washing of archaeological human remains.
| Finds washing of archaeological human remains. | November 2013 – April 2014 |
Postgraduate Representative for Taught Masters in Bio / Zooarchaeology, University of York | York, UK
Represent Bioarchaeology and Zooarchaeology MSc students at Teaching Committee and Board of Study meetings.
| Represent Bioarchaeology and Zooarchaeology MSc students at Teaching Committee and Board of Study meetings. | October 2013 – September 2014 |
OUTREACH AND SERVICE
| Judge, Undergraduate and High School, 12th Annual Jackson School Research Symposium, The University of Texas at Austin | February 11, 2023 |
| Host for Visiting Speaker William Taylor, University of Colorado-Boulder | November 12, 2020 |
| Geosciences Chair, Texas Academy of Science: 122nd Annual Meeting, Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX | March 2018 – March 2019 |
| Host for Visiting Speaker Matthew J. Collins, University of Copenhangen, DK / University of York, UK | November 27-31, 2018 |
| Science Saturday | Meridian School Organized Jackson School of Geosciences paleontology representation at annual K-12 science education event | March 14, 2018 |
| Darwin Day | Center for Inquiry-Austin, Austin, Texas Assisted in representing the Jackson School of Geosciences paleontology at annual public science education event | February 10, 2018 |
| Fossil Fest | Paleontological Society of Austin, Round Rock, Texas Assisted in representing the Jackson School of Geosciences paleontology at annual public science education event | November 4-5, 2017 |
| Camp Hermione | Girlstart, Kyle, Texas Volunteer presentation to girls aged 8-10 on archeology and zooarchaeology | June 21, 2016 |
| Under the Sea Camp | Girlstart, Austin, Texas Volunteer presentation to girls aged 8-10 on archaeology and zooarchaeology | June 28, 2016 |
AWARDED FUNDING
| 2022 Summer Analytical Fees Award | UT Austin | $3,705 | Summer 2022 |
| Graduate School Summer 2021 Fellowship | UT Austin | $9,312 | Summer 2021 |
| Proteomics Facility (Proposal written by me for my research project, but funding awarded in Dr. Christopher J. Bell’s name according to the application requirements) | UT Austin | $1,000 | August 2020 |
| Jackson School of Geosciences Fund Matching | UT Austin | $1,000 | July 2019 |
| Lundelius Fund; Paleontology Research Grant | UT Austin | $876 | June 2019 |
| Ronald K. DeFord Field Scholarship Fund; Off Campus Research Grant | UT Austin | $3,917 | June 2019 |
| Kenneth E. & Annie Caster Student Research Award | Paleontological Society | $1,200 | April 2019 |
| Student Research Award | Texas Academy of Science | $1,700 | March 2019 |
| Ancient Proteins@20; NSF Funded Conference Travel Bursary | U of Copenhagen | $1,000 | August 2018 |
| Lundelius Fund; Paleontology Research Grant | UT Austin | $865 | June 2018 |
| Ronald K. DeFord Field Scholarship Fund; Off Campus Research Grant | UT Austin | $500 | October 2017 |
Keenan Early Research 