Lauren Crossland-Marr

Lauren is a cultural anthropologist who explores the dynamic interplay between foodways, agriculture, health, and technology in her research. Before joining the University of La Verne, she worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher on a multi-disciplinary project called GEAP-3, which investigated the application of a new genetic engineering technology called CRISPR in agriculture and foodways. As part of this project, she collaborated with a former NPR reporter to write, host, and produce an award-winning podcast called “A CRISPR Bite.” Each episode highlights the use of CRISPR in specific food products, including tomatoes, soybeans, and cattle.

From 2017 to 2018, Lauren conducted dissertation fieldwork on the halal certification industry in Milan, Italy, to assess the impact of local cultural foodways on global markets. She is currently writing a book based on her dissertation fieldwork, aimed at an undergraduate audience, about halal food in Italy.

Lauren’s next project will focus on soybeans, an intensively cultivated plant often criticized for its role in food system issues. However, soybeans boast an impressive nutritional profile with health benefits for both humans and animals, making them a staple in many diets worldwide. Additionally, as legumes, soybeans engage in a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Her multi-sited fieldwork will involve student learning and leadership opportunities, as well as collaborations with colleagues in Brazil, the US, Canada, Sweden, and Italy.

Lauren lives with her husband, daughter, and Great Pyrenees, Kiss Kiss. When she is not researching, writing, or teaching, she enjoys spending her time quilting.