Research and education
An anthropological exploration
of mothering and reproduction
Research and education
An anthropological exploration
of mothering and reproduction
Her Educational Story
Her Educational Story
About Kristen
About Kristen
My research centers on maternal health and the lived experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. As a medical anthropologist and full-spectrum doula, I use qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to examine how social, political, cultural, and economic factors shape maternal health outcomes. My work explores the intersections of reproductive health policy, healthcare accessibility, social determinants of health, medical racism, and matrescence.
My research centers on maternal health and the lived experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. As a medical anthropologist and full-spectrum doula, I use qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to examine how social, political, cultural, and economic factors shape maternal health outcomes. My work explores the intersections of reproductive health policy, healthcare accessibility, social determinants of health, medical racism, and matrescence.
My doctoral research focused on Indigenous Hadzabe foragers in Tanzania, East Africa, examining how national and global health policies—both historical and contemporary—impact experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. During this time, I was privileged to work alongside a midwife at a public hospital in Arusha, where I served as a doula in the labor and delivery ward.
My doctoral research focused on Indigenous Hadzabe foragers in Tanzania, East Africa, examining how national and global health policies—both historical and contemporary—impact experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. During this time, I was privileged to work alongside a midwife at a public hospital in Arusha, where I served as a doula in the labor and delivery ward.
Following my PhD, I joined the UNLV School of Public Health as a postdoctoral researcher on the Early Responsive Nurturing Care for Food Security (EARN-FS) intervention. This project identifies pathways to reduce food insecurity among pregnant people and caregivers with children under three in the West Las Vegas Promise Neighborhood. In this role, I secured grants for breastfeeding education expansion and maternal health research, led implementation of a community-led workshop series, and established a local breastfeeding support program. Additionally, I served as the lead Research Scientist with the DOULA CO-OP of Nevada, where we secured funding to focus on advancing equity in maternal-child health among Medicaid populations.
Following my PhD, I joined the UNLV School of Public Health as a postdoctoral researcher on the Early Responsive Nurturing Care for Food Security (EARN-FS) intervention. This project identifies pathways to reduce food insecurity among pregnant people and caregivers with children under three in the West Las Vegas Promise Neighborhood. In this role, I secured grants for breastfeeding education expansion and maternal health research, led implementation of a community-led workshop series, and established a local breastfeeding support program. Additionally, I served as the lead Research Scientist with the DOULA CO-OP of Nevada, where we secured funding to focus on advancing equity in maternal-child health among Medicaid populations.
I have presented my research at national and international conferences, including the Society for Cross-Cultural Research, Human Biology Association, American Association of Biological Anthropologists, and Society for Medical Anthropology. Locally, I have been an invited speaker at the Nevada Statewide Maternal Child Health Coalition Conference, UNLV Community Engagement Expo, and community organizations throughout Las Vegas.
I have presented my research at national and international conferences, including the Society for Cross-Cultural Research, Human Biology Association, American Association of Biological Anthropologists, and Society for Medical Anthropology. Locally, I have been an invited speaker at the Nevada Statewide Maternal Child Health Coalition Conference, UNLV Community Engagement Expo, and community organizations throughout Las Vegas.
Currently, I serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the UNLV Department of Anthropology teaching classes on nutrition and reproduction. I also teach at College of Southern Nevada, and for the UNLV Academic Success Center.
Currently, I serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the UNLV Department of Anthropology teaching classes on nutrition and reproduction. I also teach at College of Southern Nevada, and for the UNLV Academic Success Center.
View my CV for more information on on-going research projects and grants.
View my CV for more information on on-going research projects and grants.
academic Work
Selected Publications
Selected Publications
Food security · 2025
Food security · 2025
Herlosky, K.N., Leverett, A., Philbert, R., Hernandez, C., Baumann, A., Poblacion, A., and Buccini, G. (2025). Barriers and facilitators of implementing a community workshop series to mitigate food insecurity among maternal-child dyads: A mixed-methods RE-AIM evaluation. BMC Public Health 25, 3405 (2025).
Herlosky, K.N., Leverett, A., Philbert, R., Hernandez, C., Baumann, A., Poblacion, A., and Buccini, G. (2025). Barriers and facilitators of implementing a community workshop series to mitigate food insecurity among maternal-child dyads: A mixed-methods RE-AIM evaluation. BMC Public Health 25, 3405 (2025).
Barriers and facilitators of implementing a community workshop series to mitigate food insecurity among maternal-child dyads: A mixed-methods RE-AIM evaluation.
Barriers and facilitators of implementing a community workshop series to mitigate food insecurity among maternal-child dyads: A mixed-methods RE-AIM evaluation.
BMC Public Health 25, 3405 (2025).
BMC Public Health 25, 3405 (2025).
Community engagement · 2025
Community engagement · 2025
Buccini, G.*, Herlosky, K.N., * Hernandez, C., *, Palapa, M., Rabb, S., Simangan, D., Desai, J., Akyama, M., Baumann, A. (2025).
Buccini, G.*, Herlosky, K.N., * Hernandez, C., *, Palapa, M., Rabb, S., Simangan, D., Desai, J., Akyama, M., Baumann, A. (2025).
Overcoming Recruitment Barriers Through Meaningful Community Engagement: Lessons Learned from a Maternal-Child Food Insecurity Assessment in Underserved Communities.
Overcoming Recruitment Barriers Through Meaningful Community Engagement: Lessons Learned from a Maternal-Child Food Insecurity Assessment in Underserved Communities.
Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1636578.
Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1636578.
alloparenting · 2021
alloparenting · 2021
Herlosky, K.N., and Crittenden, A.N. (2021)
Herlosky, K.N., and Crittenden, A.N. (2021)
Alloparenting: evolutionary origins and contemporary significance of cooperative child-rearing as a key feature of human reproduction.
Alloparenting: evolutionary origins and contemporary significance of cooperative child-rearing as a key feature of human reproduction.
Routledge Handbook of the Anthropology of Reproduction, Eds. Sallie Han and Cecilia Tomori.
Routledge Handbook of the Anthropology of Reproduction, Eds. Sallie Han and Cecilia Tomori.
maternal health · 2023
maternal health · 2023
Herlosky, K.N. (2023).
Herlosky, K.N. (2023).
Maternal health in the context of social, political, and economic change among transitioning Hadza foragers.
Maternal health in the context of social, political, and economic change among transitioning Hadza foragers.
Dissertation. University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Dissertation. University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
maternal health · 2020
maternal health · 2020
Herlosky, K.N., Benyshek, D.B., Mabulla, I.A.M., Pollom, T. & Crittenden, A.N., (2020).
Herlosky, K.N., Benyshek, D.B., Mabulla, I.A.M., Pollom, T. & Crittenden, A.N., (2020).
Maternal health in the context of social, political, and economic change among transitioning Hadza foragers.
Maternal health in the context of social, political, and economic change among transitioning Hadza foragers.
Dissertation. University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Dissertation. University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
postpartum · 2020
postpartum · 2020
Herlosky, K.N., Benyshek, D.B., Mabulla, I.A.M., Pollom, T. & Crittenden, A.N., (2020).
Herlosky, K.N., Benyshek, D.B., Mabulla, I.A.M., Pollom, T. & Crittenden, A.N., (2020).
Postpartum maternal mood among the Hadza foragers of Tanzania: a mixed methods approach.
Postpartum maternal mood among the Hadza foragers of Tanzania: a mixed methods approach.
infant co-sleeping · 2018
infant co-sleeping · 2018
Crittenden, A. N., Samson, D. R., Herlosky, K. N., Mabulla, I. A., Mabulla, A. Z., & McKenna, J. J. (2018).
Crittenden, A. N., Samson, D. R., Herlosky, K. N., Mabulla, I. A., Mabulla, A. Z., & McKenna, J. J. (2018).
Infant co-sleeping patterns and maternal sleep quality among Hadza hunter-gatherers.
Infant co-sleeping patterns and maternal sleep quality among Hadza hunter-gatherers.
foraging behavior · 2020
foraging behavior · 2020
Pollom, T.R., Herlosky, K.N., Mabulla, I.A. et al. (2020).
Pollom, T.R., Herlosky, K.N., Mabulla, I.A. et al. (2020).
Changes in Juvenile Foraging Behavior among the Hadza of Tanzania during Early Transition to a Mixed-Subsistence Economy.
Changes in Juvenile Foraging Behavior among the Hadza of Tanzania during Early Transition to a Mixed-Subsistence Economy.
diet impacts · 2020
diet impacts · 2020
Pollom T.R., Cross C.L., Herlosky K.N., Ford E., Crittenden A.N. (2020).
Pollom T.R., Cross C.L., Herlosky K.N., Ford E., Crittenden A.N. (2020).
Mixed-subsistence diet impacts the growth trajectories of Hadza children.
Mixed-subsistence diet impacts the growth trajectories of Hadza children.
Am J Hum Biol. 2021 Jan;33(1):e23455. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.23455. Epub 2020 Jun 24. PMID: 32578288.
Am J Hum Biol. 2021 Jan;33(1):e23455. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.23455. Epub 2020 Jun 24. PMID: 32578288.
cardiovascular risk factors · 2019
cardiovascular risk factors · 2019
Herlosky, K. N., & Tran, D. M. T. (2019).
Herlosky, K. N., & Tran, D. M. T. (2019).
Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in College Students: Midwest Versus Southwest.
Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in College Students: Midwest Versus Southwest.
Biological research for nursing, doi: 1099800419856109.
Biological research for nursing, doi: 1099800419856109.
Meet kristen
Meet kristen
Learn more about Kristen
Learn more about Kristen
Dr. Kristen Herlosky (she/her) is a medical anthropologist, public health researcher, educator, and full-spectrum doula whose work sits at the intersection of reproductive health, maternal wellbeing, and health equity. Drawing on years of fieldwork, community-based research, and hands-on birth support, Kristen brings a uniquely grounded perspective to topics including matrescence, food insecurity, maternal health outcomes, reproductive health equity, evidence-based birth practices, and cross-cultural experiences of mothering.
Dr. Kristen Herlosky (she/her) is a medical anthropologist, public health researcher, educator, and full-spectrum doula whose work sits at the intersection of reproductive health, maternal wellbeing, and health equity. Drawing on years of fieldwork, community-based research, and hands-on birth support, Kristen brings a uniquely grounded perspective to topics including matrescence, food insecurity, maternal health outcomes, reproductive health equity, evidence-based birth practices, and cross-cultural experiences of mothering.
She has presented at national and international conferences and is available for keynotes, workshops, and professional training for healthcare providers, community organizations, and academic institutions.
She has presented at national and international conferences and is available for keynotes, workshops, and professional training for healthcare providers, community organizations, and academic institutions.
inquire about
speaking engagements
get in touch
get in touch
Want to collaborate?
Want to collaborate?
Dr. Kristen Herlosky has dedicated her career to understanding and improving the maternal health experience. A skilled communicator equally at home in academic lecture halls and community settings. Invite her to bring both the evidence and the heart to your next event.
Dr. Kristen Herlosky has dedicated her career to understanding and improving the maternal health experience. A skilled communicator equally at home in academic lecture halls and community settings. Invite her to bring both the evidence and the heart to your next event.
Dr. Kristen Herlosky has dedicated her career to understanding and improving the maternal health experience. A skilled communicator equally at
home in academic lecture halls and community settings. Invite her to bring both the evidence and the heart to your next event.
An anthropological exploration of mothering and reproduction. Full-spectrum doula services, childbirth education, and research.
© 2025 Mojave Matrescene. All rights reserved.
An anthropological exploration of mothering and reproduction. Full-spectrum doula services, childbirth education, and research.
© 2025 Mojave Matrescene. All rights reserved.
An anthropological exploration of mothering and reproduction. Full-spectrum doula services, childbirth education, and research.
© 2025 Mojave Matrescene. All rights reserved.