UNF alum earns prestigious Fulbright award to study bioarchaeology in the UK

For Sarah Lee Boyd, what began as a curiosity about anthropology during her first semesters at the University of North Florida evolved into an international research journey that will now take her to a leading archaeology program in the United Kingdom.

Boyd, a December 2025 UNF graduate who earned both her Bachelor's of Science in biology and Bachelor's of Arts in anthropology, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to pursue a Master of Science in bioarchaeology at Durham University in England. The highly competitive award will allow her to continue exploring the intersection of biology, archaeology and human history through advanced research in ancient disease and environmental archaeology.

"I never thought something like this would happen," Boyd said. "Receiving the Fulbright means a lot personally and academically. It lifts a huge financial burden, but it also feels like validation that archaeology and the social sciences are worth investing in. I'm proud of myself, but I'm also proud of the people who helped get me here."

Finding community and direction at UNF

A Jacksonville native, Boyd said she found her place at UNF almost immediately after arriving on campus. Through the Hicks Honors College freshman retreat and early involvement opportunities, she quickly became part of a close-knit academic community that shaped her college experience from the beginning.

"You have this built-in community from day one," she said. "Even after we all stopped living together, it remained a group of people who stayed involved on campus and supported each other."

She credits faculty mentors across campus with helping guide her path, especially anthropology professor Dr. Jacqueline Meier and Honors faculty mentor Will Pewitt.

While Boyd entered college as a biology major, she originally viewed anthropology courses as something she pursued simply out of personal interest. That changed after taking one of Meier's classes.

"She was the first person who pointed out that my interests in biology and anthropology could work together in this really beautiful way," Boyd said.

Under Meier's mentorship, Boyd spent two years conducting research in UNF's zooarchaeology lab, where she analyzed animal remains to better understand past human environments and behaviors. Her work included identifying species, studying bone modification and applying quantitative analysis methods to archaeological specimens.

Boyd later completed an undergraduate anthropology thesis and conducted research far beyond campus. In summer 2024, Boyd conducted archaeological research in Bulgaria through the Balkan Heritage Foundation. The following summer, she joined excavations at the Athenian Agora in Greece, an opportunity made possible through Meier's mentorship and professional connections.

Boyd received Honors Fellows awards supporting both international research experiences and presented her work through multiple oral and poster presentations at academic conferences.

A future in bioarcheology

At Durham, Boyd plans to focus on ancient human genomics and environmental archaeology, with a particular interest in how disease and ecological conditions shaped past populations. One area she is especially eager to explore is tuberculosis from an archaeological and biological perspective, alongside broader questions in ancient DNA research.

"What excites me about bioarchaeology is that you have to draw from different fields to answer these questions," she said. "You're combining biology, anthropology, history and environmental science to better understand what makes us human."

Ultimately, Boyd hopes her research will bridge past and present, offering insight into how human societies have responded to long-term challenges such as disease, environmental change and survival.

"I hope my research reminds people of our shared global human heritage," she said. "Humans in the past were not so different from humans today. Understanding how our ancestors responded to disease, environmental change and hardship can help us better understand ourselves and the world we live in now."

She is also looking forward to studying in a country with a deeply embedded archaeology tradition.

"I really admire how places like the UK approach archaeology and heritage," Boyd said. "History is everywhere there. I'm excited to learn from scholars from all over the world and be challenged by new perspectives."

Boyd emphasized that her Fulbright award was made possible through sustained mentorship and institutional support, particularly through UNF's fellowship advising network and Dr. Tiffany Kershner, who works closely with students pursuing nationally competitive scholarships as UNF's Hicks Honors College director of Global and National Awards.

"I couldn't have done it without Dr. Kershner's help and assistance," Boyd said. "This wasn't just a personal achievement. It happened because so many people believed in me, mentored me and helped me along the way."