Dr.Ji Eun Kim, Ph.D.

My current research investigates human skeletal aging at multiple levels, including surface morphology, internal bone microarchitecture, and material properties. I aim to identify age-related indicators and evaluate their utility as a sole age predictor and as complementary to other established age estimation techniques. Ultimately, my goal is to contibute to developing more reliable and practical age-at-death estimation methods for bioloarchaeological and forensic applications.

My research primarily involves documented skeletal collections and anatomical donors and integrates both traditional osteological approaches with quantitative techniques, such as 3D surface imaging, micro-CT, quantitative ultrasound and mechanical testing. 

Selected Conferenec Presentations:

Kim, J, T Harper, J Nassif. Really, how many phases are there? Reassessing Pubic Symphysis Aging Phases through Multivariate Change-Point Analysis. Poster, 95th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists, Denver, CO. 2026

Kim, YJ, Suchy, Carrilho, J Kim, Gao. Human rib microhardness in relation to age and sex. Presentation, 104th general session of International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), San Diego, CA. 2026

Kim, J, J Nassif, E Leslie. From Cadaveric Donors to Past Populations: Comparative Evaluation of Bone Structural Properties Using Micro-CT and Quantitative Ultrasound. Poster, 94th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists in Baltimore, MD, March 2025

Kim, J, E Leslie, H Kedwaii, R Allen. Evaluating cortical bone speed of sound (SOS) measured by a non-invasive ultrasound bone sonometer as an alternative age-at-death indicator for elderly: a pilot study. Poster, 92nd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists. Online & Reno, NV, April 2023

Selected Research Grants & Awards:

External funding

Wenner-Gren Foundation Postdoctoral Research Grant, PI, 2022-2024

Wenner-Gren Foundation Postdoctoral Research Grant, Co-PI, 2020-2022

Wenner-Gren Foundation Conference and Workship Grant, Co-Organizer, 2018

Wenner-Gren Foundation PhD Dissertation Fieldwork Grant, 2014-2016

Internal funding

MWU Core Outsourcing Funds 2024, 2025 (x2)