Brandice Evans

Brandice Evans is a biological anthropologist whose research focuses on maternal and child health, which she views as the foundation of human well-being. Her work examines how physiological, social, and environmental factors intersect to influence maternal health and stress, particularly in diverse socioeconomic contexts. She has conducted research on maternal cortisol and breastfeeding, exploring how different forms of social support—such as family networks, community resources, and healthcare access—affect maternal stress and resilience.

Brandice is currently writing a book on intimate partner violence, taking an evolutionary perspective on violence within romantic relationships while highlighting the social, political, and structural factors that perpetuate it. She is passionate about using social science to inform strategies for preventing intimate partner violence, which has become the leading cause of death for mothers in the United States.

Beyond maternal and child health, Brandice’s research interests extend to the anthropology of spirituality and religion, particularly in relation to health, coping, and resilience. She also studies trauma resilience, investigating how individuals and communities navigate and recover from adversity. Her work aims to bridge biological, social, and cultural perspectives to better understand human health and promote interventions that support mothers, families, and communities.