Date & Location
The 5th Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Biological Anthropology Association (RMBAA) will take place in Dwire Hall at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) on Saturday, September 26, 2026!
Schedule
The full schedule for the RMBAA 2026 Annual Meeting is is available here: RMBAA 2026 Program & Abstracts
- Contributed Poster Presentations
- 2 Keynote Talks:
Caley Orr, Ph.D.
Associate Professor: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology & Modern Human Anatomy Program, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
Affiliated Faculty: Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado Denver
Title: “What do we think we were? And what do we think we weren’t? Insights into human evolution from the genus Paranthropus and the side branches of our family tree.”
Xenia Kyriakou, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Director of the University of Montana Forensic Anthropology Laboratory (UMFAL): Department of Anthropology, University of Montana
Title: “Humanitarian Forensics: The Right to Know, Truth, Justice and Reconciliation”
- Student Professional Development Workshop:
Do you want to learn more about doing research as an undergraduate? How about going to grad school, or entering the job market? And what is all this talk about ’networking’ anyway? Come to our interactive professional development panel where current graduate students and faculty will answer questions about getting involved in research, applying to graduate school, developing compelling application materials, and designing research projects that are both interesting and feasible. Panelists will also share perspectives on the transition from undergraduate to graduate-level work and discuss how experiences like RMBAA can help students build skills, confidence, and professional networks.
As RMBAA celebrates its 5th anniversary, this session will also reflect on the role undergraduate conferences can play in shaping academic futures, and we want to hear your ideas. Pizza will be provided for all workshop participants free of charge.
Bring your questions! This session is designed as an open conversation, with plenty of time for discussion and advice.
Conference Registration
All RMBAA members who are up-to-date on their membership dues for the 2026 calendar year are eligible to attend the Annual Meeting. Our membership dues also cover conference registration, so please visit our membership page to pay your annual dues in order to attend the annual meeting.
Student Awards!
To further the RMBAA mission of supporting student research, we will be awarding a student prize! We will award one each to the top graduate and top undergraduate student abstracts at this year’s meeting.
Eligibility: To be eligible, the student must be currently enrolled, must be the first author on the abstract, and must present the research in person at the conference. If you meet these criteria, please indicate your interest in being considered for the award on the abstract submission form.
Criteria: Abstracts will be judged based on the scientific value and quality of the submitted work. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, a competitive abstract should:
– Clearly describe the concept or problem being tested
– Demonstrate new findings or interpretations that improve our understanding
– Propose new directions based on the research findings
Directions & Parking
Dwire Hall is located at 9 Mountain Lion Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, north of the traffic circle by Meadow Ln and Austin Bluffs Pkwy. From I-25, go east on Garden of the Gods Rd (Exit 146) and continue straight on to Austin Bluffs Pkwy after crossing N Nevada Ave. In 1.5 miles, turn left at the traffic light at Meadow Ln and travel 3/4 of the way through the traffic circle.
Please park in Lot 222 in front of Centennial Hall. This lot is free to park in on weekends. Dwire Hall is located behind Centennial Hall to the northeast.
This UCCS Campus Parking Map shows Lot 222 (in a yellow circle). The building marked DWIR is Dwire Hall.
Food
Diverse dining options are located at University Village, a 5-10 minute drive northwest of the conference venue. Colorado Springs boasts a variety of highly-rated breweries and casual eateries for lunch or post-meeting dining options within a short drive of the meeting venue. Preferred nearby choices include 105 West Brewing, Goat Patch Brewing Co., Red Leg Brewing Co., and Cerberus Brewing Co. Several of these locations are dog friendly.
Lodging Info
Please follow the instructions at this link to secure special room rates ranging from $111-$199/night at nearby hotels in Colorado Springs.
RMBAA Code of Conduct
The Rocky Mountain Biological Anthropology Association requires that all participants at their annual meeting adhere to the American Association of Biological Anthropologists Code of Conduct as outlined on the AABA website.