She holds her degrees from the University of Iowa (Ph.D.) and George Washington University, and her research interests include the ancient Near East and Classical Mediterranean Basin, and Islamic archaeology. Dr. Finlayson has extensive archaeological excavation and cultural heritage site development experience in Syria and Jordan, is the current director of the Ad-Deir Monument and Plateau Project in Petra, Jordan, and is acting director of the Syro-American expeditions to both Palmyra and Apamea. At Apamea she directs the excavation and restoration of the Great Roman Theater of Apamea.