Our Team

Dr. Whitley, RPA, is a CRM Bioarchaeologist and Archaeologist and the Principal Investigator of the Sugar Land 95 DNA Project. Dr. Whitley has worked as a project director/principal investigator of cemetery excavations and bioarchaeology/osteology. She has over 18years of experience as a principal investigator, 20+ years of experience in the osteological analysis of human remains, mortuary practices, and life history reconstruction of individuals and communities and has received 18+ burial permits from New Mexico and 5 permits from the State of Texas. Dr. Whitley has authored and co-authored over 25 professional reports in Texas and New Mexico, several book chapters and journal articles; including co-authoring studies on cancer and co-authoring an article on Henry VIII in The Historical Journal that impacted our understanding of his ability to have children and midlife mental crisis that has made news across the globe and in popular literature. She taught human evolution, forensic anthropology, and human osteology at the university level at SMU and UTA; which included teaching about genetics and evolutionary genetics. She has served as Lead Bioarchaeologist and a co-author of the final report of the discovery of the Sugar Land 95 titled: Back to Bondage: Forced Labor in Post Reconstruction Era Texas. In 2019, Dr. Whitley was issued a 10 year permit from the Texas Historical Commission to authorize the study of the remains of the Sugar Land 95. Dr. Whitley is the President of the Principal Research Group.

Abigail Fisher works as a contract archaeologist in Texas and is a PhD Candidate at Southern Methodist University, with focuses in Bioarchaeology and diet and lifeway reconstruction. She has a Master of Science in Archaeological Science from the University of Oxford and a Master of Arts from Southern Methodist University. She is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (rpanet.org), has 17+ years of experience in commercial archaeology, and 15+ years working in stable isotope biochemistry. She has worked on multiple cemetery excavations as a Human Osteology Specialist in Texas. She served as Assistant Bioarchaeologist, Laboratory Manager, and co-author of the final report Back to Bondage: Forced Labor in Post Reconstruction Era Texas.  Ms. Fisher is the Vice President and Treasurer of the Principal Research.

Dr. Helen Graham, a Persian Gulf War veteran (Air Force), is Dean of Liberal Arts, Humanities, & Education Professions at Houston Community College (HCC). Dr. Graham has been a genealogist for more than thirty years and has worked on several genealogical initiatives to include the Freedmen’s Bureau Indexing Campaign. On behalf of the City of Missouri City Parks and Recreation department, she located the identities of those formerly enslaved on the Palmer Plantation. She teaches family history research and works one on one with individuals helping them to locate their ancestors, conduct oral histories, and preserve their stories. She consults on community outreach efforts in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. Dr. Graham recently served as Historian, Genealogical Researcher, and co-author of the final report Back to Bondage: Forced Labor in Post Reconstruction Era Texas.  

Dr. Meradeth Snow is an Associate Professor and Co-Chair of the Anthropology Department at the University of Montana, where she leads the Snow Molecular Anthropology Lab. Her research focuses on analyzing ancient and degraded DNA to address both anthropological and forensic questions. Dr. Snow's work has significantly advanced our understanding of ancient populations' genetic history, particularly through studies on gut microbiome diversity. In her lab, Dr. Snow emphasizes the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into genetic research, ensuring cultural sensitivity and respect. She has collaborated on projects such as the Sugar Land 95 DNA project, which seeks to identify remains of African American individuals from the convict leasing system in Texas, utilizing advanced DNA analysis techniques to provide answers while upholding ethical standards. Dr. Snow's commitment to ethical research and inclusivity makes her a notable figure in molecular anthropology and forensic science. 

Dr. Felicia Sparozic is the Director of Public Relations at Principle Research Group and an accomplished content creator. Holding a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Montana, she brings a wealth of knowledge in cultural and historical research. Her responsibilities include managing outreach, public engagement, and media communications, working closely with other directors to ensure effective dissemination of the group’s initiatives and discoveries.

Felicia’s academic contributions include the creation of historic and modern sister methods to the original prehistoric Index of Care. Her research focused on adapting the Index of Care to produce models of care for both historical and modern individuals, specifically within the Terry Collection. This work involved developing comprehensive models of care based on ethnohistorical and skeletal markers of pathological conditions, providing significant insights into the care and treatment of individuals across different time periods. This research has enhanced our understanding of past care-giving practices and their evolution, showing how caregiving has evolved to modern-day standards.

In addition to her academic and professional roles, Felicia has a strong background in esports and content creation, blending her scholarly expertise with practical experience in the gaming industry. Her diverse skill set and interdisciplinary approach make her a valuable asset to the Principle Research Group.

Samantha Hofland is a Doctoral student at the University of Montana in Forensic and

Molecular Anthropology and is a Montana native. She received her Master's degree in

Anthropology from the University of Montana in 2021, thesis entitled The Effects of

Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil of DNA Degradation After Decomposition.

Samantha’s areas of research include ancient and forensic genetic analysis, forensic

anthropology, and reconstruction of human identity. She has worked in the field of

genetics for 5 years academically, and 3 years professionally and has co-authored

numerous forensic reports and genetics presentations.