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
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2020 - Present
Duke Science & Society,
University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Recent Publications
Chronic Stress and Severe Water Insecurity During the Historic 2022 Drought in Northern Kenya Were Associated With Inflammation Among Daasanach Seminomadic Pastoralists.
Journal Article American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council · February 2025 ObjectiveExtreme climatic events, like droughts, are increasing in frequency and severity. Droughts disrupt community livelihoods and resources with serious implications for human biology. This study investigated how chronic stress, measured by fi ... Full text CiteThe energetics of movement, from exercise to ecology and evolution.
Journal Article The Journal of experimental biology · February 2025 Movement is energetically costly, requiring muscle activity to support and propel the animal as it walks, runs, climbs, swims or flies. In this Review, I examine the metabolic impact of locomotion over different timescales. During locomotion, whole-body en ... Full text CitePhysical Activity and Pregnancy Norms Among Daasanach Semi-Nomadic Pastoralist Women in Northern Kenya.
Journal Article American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council · January 2025 ObjectivesIn subsistence populations, high physical activity is typically maintained throughout pregnancy. Market integration shifts activity patterns to resemble industrialized populations, with more time allocated to sedentary behavior. Daasanac ... 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 - 2027Effects of Physical Activity on Human Pregnancy Energetics: Testing Maternal Metabolic Limits
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Harvard University ·
2006
Ph.D.