Immigration Topics to be Discussed at Global Issues Lecture Series Feb. 7

by Katie Brooks, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

Dr. Lori Baker, assistant professor in the department of anthropology, forensic science and archaeology at Baylor University, will discuss "U.S. Illegal Immigration: Death and the American Dream," from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, in Draper 116 on Baylor's campus.

Baker will provide an overview of illegal immigration issues with specific attention given to policies concerning border security and how DNA analysis has helped identify many nameless victims.

"I think it will provide students with an understanding of a human crisis that is in our own area and is often overlooked," Baker said.

Baker oversees the DNA section of Sistema de Identificacion de Restos y Localizacion de Individuos (SIRLI), a database established by the government of Mexico designed to locate living and to identify deceased Mexican nationals abroad. Baker helped establish the SIRLI database because of its desperate need.

"I became interested in anthropology because people are fascinating. The way we interact and associate with one another and the way we are biologically different and similar is stimulating study. Forensic science gave me a way to apply my research in human population variation in a needed and important way," she said.

Baker believes students need to know that one person can make a difference beyond what can be easily imagined.

Thursday's presentation is part of the Global Issues Lecture Series, sponsored by the Center for International Education. The lecture is free and open to the public.

For more information on the Global Issues Lecture Series, contact Lilly Fuertes at (254) 710-4531 or visit www.baylor.edu/cie.