Gary Feinman is Curator of Mesoamerican Anthropology at The Field Museum in Chicago. He also is an Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at both the University of Illinois-Chicago and Northwestern University. Feinman's current research, which he directs with Linda Nicholas, is focused on understanding the economy and daily life at the time of the Monte Albán state in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico, primarily through excavations at the site of El Palmillo. He also is involved in a regional settlement pattern project in eastern Shandong Province, China, with colleagues from The Field Museum and Shandong University. Feinman is the author of various books and articles and has conducted field researching the North American Southwest. He has taught postgraduate classes in Mexico and China. In addition to archaeology, Feinman enjoys sports, hiking, time with family and friends, travel, and communicating about science and archaeology to the public through diverse media and means.