Dr. Christine Jones, associate professor of anthropology at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, is getting noticed for her academic contributions to the field. Jones received word that one of her research articles was selected by the International Journal of Paleopathology (IJPP) for special recognition as a Volume 47 Highlight on Feb. 24.
The IJPP is the official journal of the Paleopathology Association and focuses on “the study and application of methods and techniques for investigating diseases and related conditions from skeletal and soft tissue remains.”
Dr. Jones’ article, “Expanding the Diagnostic Scope of Paleopathology: Identification of Q Fever (Coxiella Burnetii) Using a ONE Paleopathology Approach,” was published in December of 2024. According to Jones, the article focuses on the transmission of the Coxiella burnetii bacteria from animals to humans through inhalation. The result is an infection known as Q fever.
“Q fever is a potentially fatal disease with symptoms so similar to other diseases that it is underdiagnosed and poorly understood,” Jones said.
The editorial and advisory board of the IJPP selected Jones’ article as a highlight based on its potential to celebrate and promote scientific contributions that influence the field. Her article was chosen heavily on its potential impact on a number of areas including, medical history, genetics, biology, medical anthropology, veterinary medicine, and vertebrate paleontology.
In her paper, Jones combines multiple types of evidence to help better identify Q fever in past populations so that its origins and evolution as a disease can be better understood by scientists. The paper is posted on the IJPP website at www.sciencedirect.com. The article is available to read and download.