Faculty and Staff

Adriano Odello joined the CC/LPC faculty in 2025, and is a graduate of Cabrillo College, UC Santa Cruz, and the University of Galway. Specializing in Landscape Archaeology, with over ten years of work experience in Cultural Resource Management, Anthropology, History, and Paleontology, Adriano brings his skills in practical fieldwork application to the classroom setting. As a former community college student, Adriano appreciates the effect that an invested and passionate teacher can have on a student with budding interests. Owing some of the best experiences in his career to the foundations laid during his education, Adriano is dedicated to returning the favor and stewarding the next generation of Anthropologists and Archaeologists toward their careers of exploration, discovery, and adventure. His greatest hope is that he can pass along what he has learned so that others can also experience the incredible life that Anthropology and Archaeology have given him, and continues to give him.

Javier Espinoza Barajas is an Anthropology Professor and PACE Program Coordinator at Chabot College. Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, he immigrated to the United States at age sixteen and began his college journey at Chabot while attending Mt. Eden High School. As a first-generation college student, Javier understands the challenges and opportunities many students face. He earned degrees from UC Santa Cruz and CSU Los Angeles and studied abroad at UNAM in Mexico City. Through his teaching, he encourages students to explore culture, identity, and diversity while connecting anthropology to real-world experiences and personal growth.

I'm Kirsten Olson and I began my study of anthropology at UC Santa Barbara where I earned my BA, then UCLA for my MA, and finally New York to continue my studies at Columbia University. My research has focused on anthropological archaeology, and I've been lucky to study people and cultures of the past in Belize, Argentina, Central California, and New York City. I have been teaching Anthropology now for over 15 years. I also enjoy hiking, birding, gardening, and spending time with my partner and three cats. ****PLEASE NOTE: Here at Chabot College, my courses are all online, so if you wish to reach me, please send me an email!****

I’m Nicole Buyagawan! I am a Bio-cultural Anthropologist, and I also hold degrees in American Ethnic Studies and Diversity Studies. My research area of focus is in the layered social and physical effects of incarceration, specifically solitary confinement. I teach both Anthropology and multicultural studies on various campuses throughout the Bay area, as well as Seattle which is where I am from. I am also a study abroad leader and take small groups of students on short term study programs every summer. When not working I live to travel, garden, play with my dogs, and spend time with my husband