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Norbert Ross Assistant Professor Department of Anthropology Vanderbilt University VU Station B #356050 Nashville, TN 37235-7703 Phone: (615)322-6114 Fax: (615)343-0230 norbert.o.ross@vanderbilt.edu EDUCATION: HABIL 2002; University of Freiburg, Anthropology. PhD 1998; University of Freiburg, Anthropology; SUMMA CUM LAUDE MA 1995; University of Freiburg, Anthropology; WITH EXCELLENCE BA N/A (does not exist in the German academic system). LANGUAGE SKILLS:     German; English, Spanish, Tzotzil-Maya, Lacandon-Maya, Classic Nahuatl, Latin & Greek. CURRENT AFFILIATIONS: Assistant Professor, Anthropology, Vanderbilt University (2003 - present) Assistant Professor, Psychology, Vanderbilt University (2004 - present) Investigator, Learning Science Institute, Vanderbilt University (2003 – present) PREVIOUS AFFILIATIONS: Research Assistant Professor, Northwestern University (2000 - 2003) Postdoctoral Researcher, Northwestern University (1998-2000) Co-founder and organizer of the Program in Culture, Language and Cognition, Northwestern University (2000-2003). Faculty Fellow at the Public Affairs Residential College, Northwestern University (2000 to 2003). PRIMARY RESEARCH INTERESTS: Geographical Interests: Mesoamerica North America; Middle East Theoretical Interests: Culture & Cognition Distributed Cognition Child Development Conceptual Change Cultural Change Folkbiology Medicine & Culture RESEARCH GRANTS RECEIVED: National Science Foundation, $ 646,075. Understanding Conceptual and Cultural Change: The Role of Expertise and Flexibility in Folkmedicine (2005-2008). Interdisciplinary research (Anthropology, Psychology and Computer Science) in Chiapas, Mexico as well as in the Nashville area. Co-PIs: Tom Palmeri & David Noelle. National Institute of Health, $ 63,422 The Boundaries of Folkbiology: Tzotzil Maya children’s acquisition of folkbiology (2005 – 2006). Interdisciplinary research (Anthropology & Psychology) in Chiapas, Mexico. National Institute of Health, $ 1,407,043. f Development of Folkbiological Thought: A cross-cultural perspective (2003-2007). Interdisciplinary research (Anthropology & Psychology) in Chiapas, Mexico. Co-PI with S. Waxman, D. Medin & S. Atran. National Science Foundation, $ 524,499. Development of Folkbiological Thought: A cross-cultural view (2003-2007). Interdisciplinary research (Anthropology & Psychology) in Chiapas, Mexico, 2003-2007. Co-PI with D. Medin, S. Waxman & S. Atran. National Science Foundation, $ 52,285. Tzotzil Maya Folkbiology: Cultural Account of Difference (2002-2004). Vanderbilt University Intramural Discovery Grant (peer-reviewed), $50,000 The Architecture of Race: Psychological and Social Components of Racialism. (2005-2006). Interdisciplinary research (Anthropology & Psychology) in Chiapas, Mexico. German National Academic Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Grant, for anthropological research in Chiapas, Mexico, 1995-1998. RESEARCH PROPOSALS UNDER REVIEW: National Science Foundation, Career Grant $ 449,000. The Architecture of Culture: Understanding the Interrelation of Cultural Processes and Cognitive Dynamics. Research in Folkmedicine and Social Networks in Chiapas, Mexico, 2006-2011. FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS: Post-doctoral: - National Conference Travel Grant, College of Arts and Sciences, Vanderbilt University, for conference in Santa Fe, February 2005. - International Conference Travel Grant, College of Arts and Sciences, Vanderbilt University, for conference in Villahermosa, Mexico, July 2004. - Research Award, Northwestern University (Program in Culture, Language and Cognition), Spring 2000. - Research Award, Northwestern University (Environmental Council), Spring 1999. - Fellowship for postdoctoral work at Northwestern University; Environmental Council, Northwestern University (1998-2000). - Fellowship for postdoctoral work at Northwestern University; German Academic Exchange Service (2001-2003). Pre-doctoral: Ph.D. with SUMMA CUM LAUDE, University of Freiburg, Germany. MA. With excellence, University of Freiburg, Germany. Fellowship: German National Academic Foundation (Dissertation) Fellowship: German Academic Exchange Service (Research in Mexico) Fellowship: Fulbright Commission for Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan. Fellowship: ISR, University of Michigan for Graduate Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington (Political Sciences). Education (Graduate Studies): University of Göttingen, Germany (Anthropology, Human Geography and Sociology) University of Freiburg, Germany, (Anthropology, Human Geography and Sociology) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Anthropology) Indiana University (Political Science) Publications