nicole little

physical scientist

About

I'm a physical scientist by way of mesoamerican archaeology. I began my career as a field archaeologist but have transitioned into the lab, where I specialize in the chemical analysis of museum objects. My main focus has recently been on determining the chemical and mineralogical structure of unknown materials, as well as quantifying the trace elemental composition of archaeological and geological specimens. Specialties: ICP-MS, XRD, SEM-EDS, XRF

Country

united states

City

washington

Industry

museums and institutions

Skill

archaeology, xrf, research, museums, anthropology, powder x ray diffraction, laboratory, science, analytical chemistry, icp ms, cultural resource management, environmental science, museum collections

Experience

field technician and laboratory supervisor

kittatinny archaeological research

2006-7 - 2007-3 · 9 mos

I did a short stint at this archaeological firm in Pennsylvania. I worked on Phase I to Phase III/IV projects, both prehistoric and historic.

research specialist

university of missouri

2005-12 - 2006-7 · 8 mos

I became Research Specialist in the MURR Archaeometry Group after completing my master's in Anthropology. I continued doing INAA of pottery obsidian and chert while being responsible for the daily running of the Archaeometry lab.

senior research laboratory technician

university of missouri

2004-6 - 2005-11 · 1 yr 6 mos

I began this position after completing my grad school classes. I continued working on provenance studies, but became supervisor of the students working in the Archaeometry Group at MURR.

field crew supervisor

maya research program

2004-5 - 2004-8 · 4 mos

This was third summer (first paid) working for the Maya Research Program in northwest Belize. I excavated small to mid-sized house groups and one unfortunate terrace.

graduate research assistant

university of missouri

2002-5 - 2004-5 · 2 yrs 1 mo

This was the reason I went straight into grad school. I did INAA of pottery, obsidian and chert for provenance studies. My work here connected me with the Maya Research Program, which allowed me to do my graduate research in Belize.

physical scientist

smithsonian museum conservation institute

2007-4 - Present · 19 yrs 6 mos

I perform chemical analyses on museum objects by ICP-MS, XRD, SEM-EDS and XRF. Projects I've worked on include: provenancing archaeological objects (obsidian, chert, pottery), heavy metal quantification of human remains for status studies, identification of surface deposits on museum objects, and the quantification of lead in zoological specimens.