Dr. Karen L. Steelman is the director of Shumla’s new ¹⁴C plasma oxidation laboratory and a key member of Shumla’s Research Leadership Team. Trained as an archaeological chemist, Dr. Steelman is a leading international rock art researcher with over 40 peer-reviewed archaeology publications. Prior to joining the staff at Shumla, Dr. Steelman was a Full Professor of Chemistry at the University of Central Arkansas, having taught there for over 12 years. She was a long time friend and collaborator with the Shumla team. We were thrilled to add her to the staff in January 2017.

Karen received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Under the mentorship of Dr. Marvin W. Rowe (another long-time researcher in the Lower Pecos), Karen had the opportunity to blend her two interests – physical science and archaeology. As a recipient of a Watson Fellowship, Karen also studied art conservation at museums in Costa Rica, Chile, Australia, and Great Britain. Karen uses chemical analyses to identify pigments used by ancient artists and to radiocarbon date ancient rock paintings. Her methods include portable x-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, plasma oxidation, and accelerator mass spectrometry.

Emil Zuberbueler grew up in Comstock, Texas, exploring the canyons of his family’s ranch, which dates back to the late 1800s. He served on Shumla’s board for twelve years before joining the staff in 2020 and now serves as Director of Operations. Emil supports Shumla through efficient organizational systems and administrative operations while helping strengthen partnerships with local ranchers. He is committed to protecting Lower Pecos rock art and expanding appreciation for the people, culture, and beliefs represented in these irreplaceable cultural resources.

Dr. Diana Radillo Rolón is Shumla’s Senior Preservation Archaeologist, specializing in the documentation, preservation, and interpretation of prehistoric rock art. She leads preservation projects, develops digital research methods, and mentors staff and interns studying the Lower Pecos Canyonlands. Diana earned her Ph.D. in Archaeology from Mexico’s National School of Anthropology and History (ENAH) and completed postdoctoral research at Texas State University. Her research combines digital technologies and archaeological theory to explore Indigenous visual traditions, symbolism, and ancient religious systems in North America.

David Keim is a Preservation Archaeologist at Shumla. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and spent five years working in cultural resource management across Texas and Oklahoma. After developing an interest in Lower Pecos rock art, David volunteered with Shumla’s Hearthstone Project at Panther Cave in 2022. He earned a Master’s in Archaeology and Heritage from the University of Leicester and joined Shumla full-time in 2023. His work focuses on documenting, studying, preserving, and sharing the significance of Lower Pecos rock art.

Robert Stein is the newest member of the Shumla Archaeological team, joining full-time in January of 2026 after receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Texas State University. He originally joined Shumla as a volunteer in 2023, and completed a 10-week archaeology internship with Shumla in 2024. He also worked part-time as a Preservation Archaeologist prior to his graduation in the Fall of 2025. 

Justin Berry keeps Shumla’s campus and vehicles ready for the work ahead. As Maintenance Technician, he brings practical skills in carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing, along with a careful eye for what needs attention. Since joining Shumla, he has given the campus a fresh look by repainting every building, inside and out. Whether troubleshooting a mechanical problem or tackling routine upkeep, Justin’s hands-on work helps keep Shumla safe, welcoming, and running smoothly.

Kari Kuwamura joined Shumla as Deputy Director in 2024 and now serves as Executive Director, leading daily operations, fundraising, communications, and staff support. Her work connects the practical needs of running a nonprofit with the relationships that sustain its mission, from supporting employees to engaging donors and sharing Shumla’s work with the public. Kari brings a people-centered, hands-on approach to leadership, with a focus on helping staff thrive and building a strong future for the organization. She is dedicated to expanding support for the preservation of Lower Pecos rock art and making Shumla’s work accessible to broader audiences.

In 1998, artist-turned-archaeologist Dr. Carolyn Boyd, founded an organization to preserve, study and share the unique and endangered ancient art of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands. Since then, Shumla has been a center of archaeological research, heritage preservation, community outreach and education for students of all ages.

Dr. Boyd received her PhD from Texas A&M University. She serves as the Shumla Endowed Research Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Texas State University. She is the author of Rock Art of the Lower Pecos, published in 2003 by Texas A&M University Press and The White Shaman Mural: An Enduring Creation Narrative, published by the University of Texas Press in the fall of 2016 and winner of the 2017 Society for American Archaeology Scholarly Book Award. She has been published in numerous peer reviewed journals, such as Antiquity, American Antiquity, Latin American Antiquity, Revista Iberoamericana de Lingüística, and Archaeometry and has contributed chapters in several edited volumes. Boyd gives numerous lectures around the country and abroad, and serves on graduate committees.