In this episode, Dr. Christopher Lynn (University of Alabama) talks about cultural impacts on human health and biology.

Some of his work over the last ten years has focused on tattooing cultures among Pacific Islanders and the Samoan diaspora. Using biomarkers such as immunoglobulin A and cortisol, Chris is able to demonstrate correlations between immune response in tattooed individuals and the amount of tattoo experience people have had.

We also speak about the variation of tattooing methods historically and globally, the very interesting tattoos of Ötzi ‘the Iceman’ which seem to correspond with modern acupuncture points, the challenges of the job as a researcher and teacher, and Chris’ broader work looking at cultural impacts on health and his teaching-focused project, Anthropology is Elemental.

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Show notes

To follow more of Chris’ work on tattooing and immune response, follow Inking of Immunity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To listen to Chris’ podcast co-hosted with Cara Ocobock, The Sausage of Science, you can find episodes on iTunes, Stitcher or the Human Biology Association webpage.

If you have feedback or questions for Chris, you can find him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and see a lot more about his work on his University of Alabama website.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

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