Rate My Professor Marlo Willows

Dr. Marlo Willows serves as Associate Professor in the Anthropology Department at Palomar College, with a focus on Biological Anthropology. She delivers key courses such as Anthropology 101: Introduction to Biological Anthropology, offered in formats including fully online, partially online, and face-to-face sessions across spring and fall semesters, including Spring 2026 and Fall 2025 schedules. Her teaching supports the Associate Degree for Transfer in Anthropology and contributes to general education in the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Willows actively participates in departmental activities, including coordination of the Exploring Darwin lecture series and organization of Anthropology Days events held October 31-November 1, 2023. She also features in faculty exhibits and curriculum committee discussions, demonstrating her engagement in academic governance and program development at the institution.

Dr. Willows' research centers on bioarchaeology, examining health and disease in medieval populations through osteological analysis. During her time at the University of Edinburgh, she conducted a comprehensive study titled 'Health status in Lowland Medieval Scotland: a regional analysis of four skeletal populations,' analyzing 385 individuals from sites including Ballumbie, Isle of May, St Andrews Library, and Whitefriars, dating 500-1500 AD. The work statistically compared disease prevalence, contextualizing findings within factors like rural-urban location, social status, diet, pathogen load, healthcare access, and pilgrimage influences at the Isle of May. She has shared her expertise via public lectures, such as 'Bioarchaeology: Rescuing Skeletons and Telling Their Story' presented through Palomar College Television and an upcoming talk on 'Health in Medieval Scotland' for the San Diego County Archaeological Society on March 25, 2025. Additionally, Dr. Willows contributed as a reviewer to the open-access textbook 'Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology' published by the American Anthropological Association, enhancing resources for biological anthropology education.