The Department of Anthropology sadly announces the loss of a friend and colleague, Dr. Shelley Saunders, after a long and brave struggle with cancer. She passed away on May 14.

Shelley was a pillar of the department, a wonderful colleague and an internationally recognized leader in skeletal biology and physical anthropology. Her career was marked by a long series of firsts, including the first biological anthropologist to be elected to the Royal Society of Canada and the award of a Tier I Canada Research Chair in the first year of the program.

In recent years, while she continued her ground-breaking research, she was instrumental in the development of research capacity at McMaster University. She initiated the Children and Childhood in Human Societies research network; founded and established an ancient DNA laboratory at McMaster, now called the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre; and directed the renewal and expansion of the McMaster Anthropology Hard Tissue and Light Microscopy Laboratory.

Shelley was dedicated to her students, and was recognized for her skilled supervision and devoted mentorship with the President's Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision. Her students now teach at universities across Canada, the United States and Europe.

Anyone wishing to honour her life and achievements is requested to consider making a donation to the Shelley Saunders Scholarships in Anthropology at McMaster University. Donations in the form of cheques made payable to McMaster University in memory of Dr. Shelley Saunders and directed to the Shelley Saunders Scholarships in Anthropology, can be sent to:

McMaster University, University Advancement, Downtown Centre 125, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8