by Dr. Teresa Tellechea, Instructor, Department of Anthropology

As a cultural and medical anthropologist, Dr. Tellechea has professional field work experience in various applied settings. Most recently, she worked in Sri Lanka and Maldives for the last two years. She lived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where she worked at the US Embassy as a Political Officer covering in Sri Lanka and Maldives for the State Department.

Dr. Tellechea met environmental organizations and religious leaders to address health and political issues. Religious leaders are effective vehicles to address social, political and environmental issues in their communities.
Dr. Tellechea met environmental organizations and religious leaders to address health and political issues. Religious leaders are effective vehicles to address social, political and environmental issues in their communities.

In addition to advising the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission and Senior Political Officers in identifying and understanding political issues, trends and developments, Dr. Tellechea was in charge of the religious and civic society portfolios. She worked with a wide range of Sri Lankan and Maldivian government, religious and civil society contacts to help the Embassy understand the religious and social context and potential destabilizing factors.

Dr. Tellechea co-organized an International Conference on Religious Tolerance and Harmony with Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo.
Dr. Tellechea co-organized an International Conference on Religious Tolerance and Harmony with Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo.

Serving as deputy to senior political officer, Dr. Tellechea covered Madivian politics, tracking events in Maldives with special attention to democratic and judicial reform, religious freedom and capacity building. She developed and maintained an extensive range of contacts within the Sri Lanka and Maldives leading political and religious figures, civil society leaders, law enforcement officials, journalists and academics.

Secretary of State John Kerry visited one of the most significant Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. Dr. Tellechea organized and coordinated this event working with high Buddhist clergy and U.S. government officials.
Secretary of State John Kerry visited one of the most significant Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. Dr. Tellechea organized and coordinated this event working with high Buddhist clergy and U.S. government officials.

Questions about what kind of applied work anthropology majors can accomplish? Contact Dr. Tellechea: she has ample professional experience as an anthropologist in the fields of education, criminal justice, agriculture, foreign policy, and public and mental health.