Joseph Nigro

Assisted in independent study position under Dr. John Bieter. Conducted primary research on effects of Francoism on Idaho's Basque diaspora communities from 1936 to 1945. Presented findings at regional Phi Alpha Theta history conference. Received nomination for best original academic work. Presented findings at Phi Alpha Theta biennial conference 2025.

Conducted field surveys and mapping to locate potential archaeological sites under the guidance of Dr. Emma Ljung from Princeton University. Assisted in excavating and documenting archaeological sites. Supported the analysis and interpretation of archaeological findings.

• Assisted in independent study position under Dr. John Bieter. Conducted analysis of Basque migration to Gooding, Idaho, identifying historical and contemporary factors such as immigration laws and socio-economic influences. Presented case study to Gooding Historical Society and Basque community leaders to improve local understanding.

• Assisted in studying the impact of Latin American cuisine on rural Idaho economies through a competitive IFITS fellowship. Conducted ethnographic research with Latin American restaurant owners in Treasure Valley, Idaho, to understand cultural integration and economic effects. Developed and executed detailed interview protocols; analyzed qualitative data to extract meaningful insights.

• Assisted in leading a team of four students during field research activities. Supported archaeological excavations in Treasure Valley under guidance of Dr. Martin Zimmerman from Boise State University. Developed foundational skills in archaeological surveying techniques, including site mapping and artifact documentation.

• Conducted interviews with key individuals and stakeholders for an independent film producer to gather insights and stories for the project. Curated historical artifacts and photographs to enhance narrative and visual storytelling of the film. Facilitated communication between film producer and community members to secure interviews and access to archival materials.

• Assisted in conducting field research on Basque arborglyphs under Dr. John Bieter's supervision. Supported in-depth analysis of cultural and historical texts related to arborglyphs to grasp their importance. Gained practical experience in documenting and preserving artifacts, linking theoretical concepts with fieldwork.

Assisted Dr. Soulit Chacko in surveying and collecting data from the refugee community of Idaho. Conducted structured and semi-structured surveys to gather qualitative and quantitative data. Recorded and synthesized data using various data collection software tools. Presented findings to community groups in an accessible format.

Assisted in master's thesis project at Celebration Park in Melba, Idaho by contributing to field research design and spatial data collection. Utilized GIS and spatial analysis tools to create archaeological maps and geospatial datasets. Supported geospatial workflows for archaeological interpretation and site documentation.

• Supported NSF-backed research initiatives to enhance long-term documentation of Basque arborglyphs in the inner Pacific Northwest. Received graduate stipend from Boise State University to conduct independent fieldwork, GIS mapping, and cultural heritage preservation. Collaborated with Basque Museum and Cultural Center to facilitate community research and outreach efforts.

• Assisted in multi-university project funded by ONR to study climate-driven flood risk in Texas and Michigan. Supported data processing and GIS modeling efforts. Contributed to community resilience analysis initiatives.

Assisted in documenting ecological changes and land management practices affecting Basque and Peruvian arborglyphs in Idaho's fire-prone areas. Supported field documentation and photogrammetry efforts to assess resilience of aspen stands impacted by climate disturbances. Contributed to the development of preservation strategies for vulnerable cultural landscapes.