As a department, we are very pleased to have the expertise of our research staff. This past month I had the privilege of participating in some excellent doctoral seminars at the University of Salzburg. Additionally I had excellent meetings with Drs. Dietmar Winkler, Aho Shemunkasho, Erica Hunter, Li Tang, Sebastian Brock, and David Taylor - all of which have agreed to serve as Research Fellows and consultants.

Imagine a pile of puzzle pieces and a large group of qualified people who assemble to puzzle. The most important role of our department is to facilitate an environment, where each of these outstanding scholars can bring their particular expertise and insight to the heart of the fields of Nestorian history. Together we can help fill in the missing pieces and find that an incredible picture will emerge, which will in turn open up significant avenues of inquiry in all of Central Asian history. What an opportunity!

As Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev succinctly stated: “We need to look into the past in order to understand the present and foresee the future.” Excavation and research projects are pending. We keep you all posted! Have a wonderful and blessed 2018!