Ximena Smith

Why FSU?

The professors within the Department of Anthropology are subject matter experts in their respective areas. I would not have been able to receive a similar education, both quantitatively and qualitatively, elsewhere. However, it is also the amount of compassion and care that the faculty show for all of the students in the program that made continuing my education at FSU an easy choice.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

After returning to higher education to pursue a new career, I realized that in order to fully immerse myself in my new field, I would need to achieve a graduate degree. I want to be able to take what I am learning and apply it to my own research, and the only way to run my own research is to achieve a PhD. My plan, after completing my master's at FSU, is to continue my graduate education and apply for a doctoral program. I am certain that with the guidance of my advisor, and the other professors within the program, I will be accepted into a PhD program and have the education and tools I need to be successful.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

My current research is to identify the time frame of initial human occupation along the Ecuadorian Pacific Coast. I would like to understand the impacts that the onset of humans have in regard to their interrelationships with the various ecological systems they effect. In the future, I would like to use this information for the purpose of marine ecological conservation through the lens of sustainable interactions that can maintain lifeways for locals, while reducing ecological strain caused by system overuse and abuse.

Career aspirations

My goal upon completion of my master's is to apply for a doctoral program. I would like to expand my current research to include marine conservation utilizing an anthropological cultural perspective that encourages participation by locals through sustainable interactions. Eventually, I would love to work in the Galapagos facilitating educational programs with the local communities to reduce marine ecological system abuse by commercial fishing through the development of sustainable practices that maintain the lifeways of the local cultural groups, while expanding protections through laws, policy change, and regulation.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Communicate with all advisors you are interested in studying with. Graduate school is mentally and physically demanding; however, with the right advisor, you will get the encouragement and support you need to succeed. Selecting not just the right school, but an advisor who will truly support your ideas and research, is crucial.

Accomplishments during academic career

I recently returned from Peru where I participated in field work for five weeks. I spent two weeks on the coast in Puerto Lomas participating in a bioarchaeological excavation, two weeks in Arequipa assisting in collections work for disbursement to the Ministry of Culture, and one week in the Andean highlands conducting field surveys. It was several incredible journeys that I will never forget. Amy and I also participated in our first sprint triathlon in April of 2022. We trained hard, during our first and second semesters of grad school, and both placed in our age division! Lastly, I am proud to be a recipient of different FSU awards: Society for American Archaeology Historically Underrepresented Groups Scholarship, FSU Internship Fund, and the PaleoWest Endowed Award for Student Excellence in Anthropology. 

Ximena was recently featured by the College of Arts and Sciences as a Student Spotlight.