Cultural Anthropology Graduate Students

Name: Brianna Porter

Email: bnporter@buffalo.edu

Program: Cultural Anthropology; PhD

Advisor: Vasiliki Neofotistos

Academic Interest: I am interested primarily in environmental anthropology, specifically the contradictory nature and effects of shrimp farming policy. My geographical area of study, Thailand, highlights the complexities surrounding shrimp aquaculture certification and the management of environmental challenges. I am also interested in outcomes that arise from friction between local, state, and global actors in the production of food.

Key Words: Environment, Political Ecology, Certification, Chanthaburi, Thailand, Shrimping, Aquaculture


Name: Elias Plata Espino

Email: eliaspla@buffalo.edu

Program: Cultural Anthropology; PhD

Advisor: Jaume Franquesa

Academic Interest: 

My overarching interest is the relationships between society & nature. I am currently exploring what leads social groups to engage with specific strategies of forest governance, as the latter allow these groups to continue their collective life projects in the Sierra Tarahumara of northern Mexico. My other interests revolve around traditional practices (hunting, milpa), indigenous cosmovision (RarĂ¡muri and Yucatec Maya) and dogs in human societies. 


Key Words: Environmental governance, forests, political ecology, Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico