Overview
How did the human body evolve, and how does our species' deep past shape our health and physiology today? Through lab and field research, I investigate the physiology of humans and apes to understand how ecology, lifestyle, diet, and evolutionary history affect metabolism and health. I'm also interested in how ecology and evolution influence musculoskeletal design and physical activity. Field projects focus on small-scale societies, including hunter-gatherers and subsistence farmers, in Africa and South America. Lab research focuses on energetics and metabolism, including respirometry and doubly labeled water methods.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
·
2022 - Present
Evolutionary Anthropology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Director of Graduate Studies of Evolutionary Anthropology
·
2023 - Present
Evolutionary Anthropology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Research Professor of Global Health
·
2019 - Present
Duke Global Health Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
·
2020 - Present
Duke Science & Society,
University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Recent Publications
Ambient temperature and wet bulb globe temperature outperform heat index in predicting hydration status and heat perception in a semi-arid environment.
Journal Article Annals of human biology · December 2025 BackgroundClimate change is increasing temperatures, frequency of heatwaves, and erratic rainfall, which threatens human biology and health, particularly in already extreme environments. Therefore, it is important to understand how environmental h ... Full text CiteHuman energy expenditure and thermoregulation during persistence hunting in the Namib.
Journal Article Journal of human evolution · December 2025 Chasing prey to exhaustion on foot-persistence hunting-has been hypothesized to play a key role in the evolution of human endurance, energetics, and thermoregulation. However, direct physiological data from such pursuits are lacking, particularly from open ... Full text CiteA Competitive Immunoassay for Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate in Dried Blood Spots.
Journal Article American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council · December 2025 Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is a steroid hormone commonly measured to assess neuroendocrine activity related to HPA-axis function, stress physiology, and broader health outcomes, with significance for Human Biology research. To facilitate resea ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Drinking water salinity in a hot-dry environment: Hydration, kidney function, and blood pressure
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Pennsylvania State University · 2024 - 2029Developing insertable cardiac monitors to assess social and environmental effects on the autonomic stress response in a nonhuman primate model of aging
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by University of Notre Dame · 2022 - 2027The Physiological Effects of Early Life Stress across the Life Course
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Wenner-Gren Foundation · 2025 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Harvard University ·
2006
Ph.D.