Biography

Dr. Amanda Daniela Cortez is a full-time social sciences instructor at Clatsop Community College. Using the social sciences as a means for creating a more inclusive and just world, she teaches classes in anthropology, sociology, and women’s studies.

She completed her PhD in anthropology at the University of Notre Dame where she explored questions related to gender, indigeneity, and multispecies relations with Quechua women and their animal companions and kin in Cusco, Perú.

After her graduate studies, she held a postdoctoral research associate position at the University of Connecticut where she worked with a multidisciplinary team of researchers to investigate the ethics of studying Indigenous North American ancient DNA.

Publications: 

• Kowal, E., Weyrich, L. S., Argüelles, J. M., Bader, A. C., Colwell, C., Cortez, A. D., Davis, J. L., Figueiro, G., Fox, K., Malhi, R. S., Matisoo-Smith, E., Nayak, A., Nelson, E. A., Nicholas, G., Nieves-Colón, M. A., Russell, L., Ulm, S., Vergara-Silva, F., Villanea, F. A., ... Tsosie, K. S. (2023). Community partnerships are fundamental to ethical ancient DNA research. Human Genetics and Genomics Advances. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xhgg.2022.100161
• Cortez, A. D., Bolnick, D. A., Nicholas, G., Bardill, J., & Colwell, C. (2021). An ethical crisis in ancient DNA research: Insights from the chaco canyon controversy as a case study. Journal of Social Archaeology, 21(2), 157–178.https://doi.org/10.1177/1469605321991600