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Herman Pontzer

Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Evolutionary Anthropology

Awards & Honors


Outstanding Scholar Alumni Award

University Schreyer Honors College, Penn State University · 2017 More about this award

40 Under 40 Rising Stars in New York Food Policy,

Scholarly Society New York City Food Policy Center · 2017 More about this award

Presidential Award for Distinguished Scholarship

University Hunter College, City University of New York · 2016

Earle H. & Suzanne S. Harbison Faculty Fellowship

University Washington University, St. Louis · 2010

Herrnstein Prize

University Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences · 2006 awarded annually to the dissertation that "best exhibits excellent scholarship, originality and breadth of thought, and a commitment to intellectual independence."

In the News


Published February 16, 2023
A 36-Hour Stay in a Chamber to Advance Metabolism
Published January 25, 2022
To Save Energy in Extreme Situations, Go Faster
Published January 13, 2022
Risky Food-Finding Strategy Could be the Key to Human Success
Published August 12, 2021
Metabolism Changes With Age, Just Not When You Might Think
Published July 22, 2021
A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to a Modern Weight-Loss Diet
Published March 29, 2021
How Human Evolution Busts Myths about Diet and Exercise
Published March 5, 2021
Humans Evolved to Be the Water-Saving Ape
Published September 25, 2020
Seven Million Years of Human Evolution, Captured in 12 Minutes
Published March 3, 2020
Paleo Health Fact and Fiction
Published June 5, 2019
Is There a Limit to Human Endurance? Science Says Yes
Published January 17, 2019
Living Like a Caveman Won’t Make You Thin. But it Might Make You Healthy
Published August 14, 2018
How Body Type May Determine Runners’ and Swimmers’ Destinies
Published October 31, 2017
Why you shouldn't exercise to lose weight, explained with 60+ studies
Published May 4, 2016
Humans Paid for Bigger Brains With Gas-Guzzling Bodies
Published December 15, 2015
The Unexpected Science of Exercise