USU's Science Unwrapped Explores 'Mummy Mystery' Friday, Sept. 19

What do you do when you (literally) can’t unwrap a scientific mystery? Utah State University anthropologists Sascha Baldauf and Molly Cannon faced this puzzle, when the USU Museum of Anthropology came into possession of ancient mummified remains. Dismantling the precious artifact was out of the question, so the researchers turned to modern technology.

At USU’s Science Unwrapped public outreach program, Baldauf, an undergraduate researcher, and Cannon, Baldauf’s faculty mentor, describe how they “unwrapped” the past, found a surprise and added to understanding about ancient burial practices.

The pair will present “Mummy Mystery” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130 of the Eccles Science Learning Center on the Logan campus. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Hands-on learning activities led by USU student groups and community volunteers, along with refreshments, follow the half-hour presentation. In addition, this fall’s series will feature research posters by USU undergraduates.

“We’re very excited to have Sascha and Molly joining us as we continue our Celebrate Undergrad Research series during USU’s Year of Undergraduate Research,” says Brynja Kohler, Science Unwrapped chair, associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, and professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “This is a fascinating presentation about how scientists approach research, encounter obstacles, find collaborative solutions and, sometimes, discover unexpected results.”

A University Honors Program student and recipient of two Honors research grants, Baldauf is majoring in anthropology (archaeology track) with a minor in marketing, and earning a certificate in museum studies. The Honors ambassador serves as a peer advisor, is a past president of the Student Anthropology Club and is a museum assistant in the USU Museum of Anthropology. This past summer, the aspiring marine archaeologist completed drift diving SCUBA training in Mexico, in preparation for an upcoming expedition in The Maldives. Baldauf also completed a summer internship with The Shipwreck Survey’s field school on the Caribbean Island of Bonaire.

Cannon, assistant professor in USU’s School of Social Sciences, is the executive director and curator of the USU Museum of Anthropology and director of the Spatial Data Collection, Analysis and Visualization Lab. Active in teaching and research, she leads public programming, exhibition and outreach in the museum and throughout the local community, including the anthropology museum’s popular Family First Saturday events. Cannon is among USU’s inaugural cohort of Honors Faculty Fellows, announced in August 2025, as part of the Honors Experiential Learning Collaborative.

Baldauf and Cannon’s presentation will be video-recorded and posted on the Science Unwrapped website within a week of the in-person event.

The Celebrate Undergrad Research series schedule is:

• Friday, Sept. 19: “Mummy Mystery,” USU anthropologist Sascha Baldauf and Molly Cannon.
• Friday, Oct. 3: “Tackling Tariffs,” USU computer scientists Tanner Helms and Chad Mano.
• Friday, Nov. 14: “Countdown to Launch,” USU electrical engineers Ethan Wayland and Reyhan Baktur.

Directions and parking information are available on the program’s website.

For more information, call 435-797-3517 or visit the Science Unwrapped website.