The SAGE Center and the California Academy of Sciences Department of Anthropology is thrilled to announce that Lucy Katzman-Tranah has stepped into a vital new role as our newest Research Associate. Lucy is a recent graduate of the University of Washington, where she received a degree in Archaeological Sciences and Arctic Studies. During her time there, she had the opportunity to specialize in paleobotany and Alaskan archaeology, and was able to spend two seasons doing field work in the Kodiak archipelago. When she’s not deep in Excel, Lucy enjoys backpacking, reading sci-fi and learning new crafts.
Lucy in the field documenting Alaskan pottery
While her first day in this official capacity marks an exciting new chapter, Lucy is already a highly valued colleague within our community. Her journey with the Academy includes previous service as a dedicated volunteer and intern within the Department of Anthropology, working closely under the mentorship of SAGE Center Director Dr. Shannon Tushingham and Dr. Rebecca Wilcox.
Lucy will work hand-in-hand with SAGE researchers to advance several high-priority projects. Her primary focus will center on the preservation and revitalization of "orphaned" ethnographic and archaeological collections—historically significant assemblages that lack comprehensive documentation or institutional homes. Supported by crucial California Institute for Biodiversity Block Grant funding, Lucy’s research will focus heavily on bridging Western archaeological methodologies with living Indigenous Knowledge and oral histories.
Her upcoming work includes several cornerstone projects:
The Shelly Davis-King Collection: Leading systematic efforts to document, safeguard, and contextualize this invaluable regional archaeological archive.
Alaska Collections Research: Collaborating on high-resolution Arctic heritage preservation and community-led research frameworks, with a particular focus on expanding knowledge of the Academy’s incredible Alaska collections alongside our northern partners.
Archaeobotanical Research: Investigating ancient plant-human interactions to generate deep-time insights into ecological stewardship and traditional food systems.
Research Associate Shelly Davis-King and Anthropology Research Assistant Lucy Katzman-Tranah working on Shelly's collection of field slides featuring Indigenous communities and culturally significant plant species.
Lucy’s expertise in collections research, archaeobotany, and anthropology, paired with her deep commitment to ethical, collaborative stewardship, makes her an incredible asset to both the department and the broader mission of the SAGE Center.
Please join us in welcoming Lucy to her new role the next time you visit the department!
