Sacha Sides, Ph.D. student in Integrative Biology, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago
Candidate Statement: AAA’s goal of inspiring scientific curiosity and discovery has been realized for me as a student member. My vision for the Association, therefore, places a strong emphasis on early-career engagement, with the aim of developing membership at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and connecting anatomists across all stages of their professional journey.
If elected as Student/Postdoc Director, I intend to build on AAA’s ongoing commitment to broadening participation by directing tangible efforts toward mentorship and community-building for all members of the anatomy community. By developing student-focused and social programming at the annual meetings, I hope to facilitate professional development opportunities and expand access to resources, minimizing barriers to entry and providing space for early-career anatomists to thrive.
Earlier Positions: Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Anthropology, University of Florida
AAA Committee/Roles: Symposium co-organizer (2024)
Research Interest: Functional trade-offs in mammalian evolution, especially as they relate to craniodental morphology, feeding biomechanics, and skeletal muscle dynamics.
Other Professional Memberships Currently Maintained: The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology