Angel Zeininger
Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
My primary areas of interest are the ontogeny of locomotion, trabecular bone remodeling, and the evolution and functional morphology of the hands and feet. I am interested in how forces incurred during locomotion influence the microarchitecture of trabecular bone. In particular, my research aims to 1) determine the magnitude and direction of forces that travel through bones during locomotion, 2) use advanced imaging techniques to identify evidence of ground reaction, muscle, and joint reaction forces as preserved in trabecular bone patterning, and 3) apply this method to the study of fossil hominins as an innovative way of reconstructing locomotor behavior in extinct species.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Evolutionary Anthropology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2021
Contact Information
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin 2013
- Expertise
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Subject Headings
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Global Scholarship
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Research
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- Research
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Selected Grants
- Foot posture in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and the evolution of human heel strike? awarded by L.S.B. Leakey Foundation 2022 - 2023
- Biomechanics of humeral curvature in the evolution of primate locomotion awarded by L.S.B. Leakey Foundation 2022 - 2023
- Collaborative Research: Measuring Leaping Performance, Evaluating its Anatomical Correlates, and Reconsidering the Importance of Leaping in Primate Origins and Early Evolution awarded by National Science Foundation 2021 - 2022
- Ontogeny of Heel-strike in African Apes awarded by National Science Foundation 2015 - 2020
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Fellowships, Supported Research, & Other Grants
- Seed Grant: Developing facutly excellence in Evolutionary Anthropology: towards anti-racism in teaching and a more inclusive department climate awarded by Duke Office for Faculty Advancement 2021
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Deckers, Kim, Zewdi J. Tsegai, Matthew M. Skinner, Angel Zeininger, and Tracy L. Kivell. “Ontogenetic changes to metacarpal trabecular bone structure in mountain and western lowland gorillas.” Journal of Anatomy 241, no. 1 (July 2022): 82–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13630.Full Text Open Access Copy
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Arias-Martorell, Julia, Angel Zeininger, and Tracy L. Kivell. “Trabecular structure of the elbow reveals divergence in knuckle-walking biomechanical strategies of African apes.” Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution 75, no. 11 (November 2021): 2959–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.14354.Full Text
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Tasnim, Noor, Daniel Schmitt, and Angel Zeininger. “Effects of human variation on foot and ankle pain in rural Madagascar.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 176, no. 2 (October 2021): 308–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24392.Full Text
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Zeininger, Angel, Daniel Schmitt, Cherice Hughes-Oliver, and Robin M. Queen. “The effect of ankle osteoarthritis and total ankle arthroplasty on center of pressure position.” Journal of Orthopaedic Research : Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society 39, no. 6 (June 2021): 1245–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.24857.Full Text
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Zeininger, Angel, Daniel Schmitt, and Roshna E. Wunderlich. “Mechanics of heel-strike plantigrady in African apes.” Journal of Human Evolution 145 (August 2020): 102840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2020.102840.Full Text
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Zeininger, Angel, Daniel Schmitt, Jody L. Jensen, and Liza J. Shapiro. “Ontogenetic changes in foot strike pattern and calcaneal loading during walking in young children.” Gait & Posture 59 (January 2018): 18–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.09.027.Full Text Open Access Copy
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Granatosky, Michael C., Aidan Fitzsimons, Angel Zeininger, and Daniel Schmitt. “Mechanisms for the functional differentiation of the propulsive and braking roles of the forelimbs and hindlimbs during quadrupedal walking in primates and felines.” The Journal of Experimental Biology 221, no. Pt 2 (January 2018): jeb162917. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.162917.Full Text Open Access Copy
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Chirchir, H., A. Zeininger, M. Nakatsukasa, R. A. Ketcham, and B. G. Richmond. “Does trabecular bone structure within the metacarpal heads of primates vary with hand posture?” Comptes Rendus Palevol 16, no. 5–6 (August 1, 2017): 533–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2016.10.002.Full Text
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Zeininger, A., L. Shapiro, and D. Raichlen. “Ontogenetic changes in limb postures and their impact on effective limb length in baboons (Papio cynocephalus).” American Journal of Physical Anthropology, March 16, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23201.Full Text Link to Item
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Burgess, M Loring, Daniel Schmitt, Angel Zeininger, Shannon C. McFarlin, Adrienne L. Zihlman, John D. Polk, and Christopher B. Ruff. “Ontogenetic scaling of fore limb and hind limb joint posture and limb bone cross-sectional geometry in vervets and baboons.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 161, no. 1 (September 2016): 72–83. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23009.Full Text
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Zeininger, Angel, Biren A. Patel, Bernhard Zipfel, and Kristian J. Carlson. “Trabecular architecture in the StW 352 fossil hominin calcaneus.” Journal of Human Evolution 97 (August 2016): 145–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2016.05.009.Full Text
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Zeininger, Angel, Brian G. Richmond, and Gideon Hartman. “Metacarpal head biomechanics: a comparative backscattered electron image analysis of trabecular bone mineral density in Pan troglodytes, Pongo pygmaeus, and Homo sapiens.” Journal of Human Evolution 60, no. 6 (June 2011): 703–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.01.002.Full Text
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Book Sections
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Schmitt, D., A. Zeininger, and M. Granatosky. “Patterns, variability, and flexibility of hand posture during locomotion in primates.” In The Evolution of the Primate Hand Anatomical, Developmental, Functional, and Paleontological Evidence, edited by T. Kivell, P. Lemelin, B. Richmond, and D. Schmitt, 345–69. New York: Springer, 2016.Link to Item
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Conference Papers
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Johnson, Laura E., Angel Zeininger, and Daniel Schmitt. “Factors contributing to the equal forelimb and hindlimb stride lengths during quadrupedal walking.” In The Faseb Journal, 34:1–1. Wiley, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.07265.Full Text
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Kemp, Addison D., Gabriel S. Yapuncich, and Angel Zeininger. “Mechanics of leaping between vertical supports in a small arboreal quadruped (Cheirogaleus medius).” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 171:140–140. WILEY, 2020.Link to Item
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Schmitt, Daniel, Angel Zeininger, Jandy B. Hanna, and Roshna E. Wunderlich. “Hand and foot postures and loading patterns in monkeys and apes: implications for cheiridial design.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 171:253–253. WILEY, 2020.Link to Item
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Yapuncich, Gabriel S., Daniel Schmitt, Roshna E. Wunderlich, and Angel Zeininger. “Using thin plate splines to statistically compare force curves produced by western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 171:313–313. WILEY, 2020.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel, Gabriel S. Yapuncich, Daniel Schmitt, and Roshna E. Wunderlich. “The role of the manual and pedal fat pads in moderating ground reaction forces and pressure patterns in knuckle-walking African apes.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 171:317–317. WILEY, 2020.Link to Item
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Doyle, Daniel J., Megan Holmes, Daniel Schmitt, Angel Zeininger, and Christine E. Wall. “Gorilla hindlimb muscle fiber phenotypes.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 168:62–62. WILEY, 2019.Link to Item
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Perchalski, Bernadette A., and Angel Zeininger. “Impact of gait selection on potential limb interference in primates and cats.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 168:188–89. WILEY, 2019.Link to Item
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Schmitt, Daniel, Roshna E. Wunderlich, and Angel Zeininger. “Forelimb and hindlimb peak forces in Gorilla.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 168:219–219. WILEY, 2019.Link to Item
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Wunderlich, Roshna E., Angel Zeininger, and Daniel Schmitt. “Plantar pressure distribution in Gorilla.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 168:275–275. WILEY, 2019.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel, Daniel Schmitt, and Roshna E. Wunderlich. “Impact forces and hindlimb vertical impulses in Gorilla.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 168:280–280. WILEY, 2019.Link to Item
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Schmitt, Daniel, Angel Zeininger, Pierre Lemelin, Charlotte E. Miller, Michael C. Granatosky, Jandy B. Hanna, Roshna E. Wunderlich, Tracy L. Kivell, Michael D. Rose, and Jean E. Turnquist. “Digit clearance patterns in primates vary by limb and substrate reflecting different strategies between arboreal and terrestrial locomotion.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:243–243. WILEY, 2018.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel, Daniel Schmitt, Michael D. Rose, and Jean E. Turnquist. “Center of mass movements and energy recovery during arm-swinging in atelines.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:310–310. WILEY, 2018.Link to Item
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Grider-Potter, N., and A. Zeininger. “Head stability and neck function during locomotion in Varecia variegata.” In Integrative and Comparative Biology, 58:E82–E82. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2018.Link to Item
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Fitzsimons, Aidan Z., Michael C. Granatosky, Robin M. Queen, Pierre Lemelin, Angel Zeininger, Henry Chapman, and Daniel Schmitt. “Gait Asymmetry in Humans and Other Animals: How much is Normal and Why Does it Exist?” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 162:181–181. WILEY, 2017.Link to Item
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Grider-Potter, Neysa, and Angel Zeininger. “Locomotor mode and kinematics of the head, neck, and trunk in Varecia variegata.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 162:202–202. WILEY, 2017.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel, Michael C. Granatosky, and Daniel Schmitt. “Highly Protracted Hindlimbs and a Forward Foot Placement Increase Stability when Walking on Arboreal Substrates.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 162:420–21. WILEY, 2017.Link to Item
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Granatosky, Michael C., Angel Zeininger, and Daniel Schmitt. “Functional differentiation of the propulsive and braking roles of the forelimbs and hindlimbs during quadrupedal locomotion.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:159–60. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.Link to Item
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Schmitt, Daniel, Angel Zeininger, Emma Hamrick, Megan L. Snyder, Tracy L. Kivell, and Roshna E. Wunderlich. “Gorilla limb kinematics and hominoid locomotor diversity: Implications for hominin locomotor evolution.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:282–282. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel. “A comparative, ontogenetic approach to trabecular architecture with implications for inferring foot function in fossil hominins.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:344–344. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel, and Kristian J. Carlson. “Trabecular morphology at the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints in StW 352 (Australopithecus africanus).” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 156:332–332. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2015.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel, Daniel Schmitt, and Roshna Wunderlich. “Developmental timing of heel-strike plantigrady in chimpanzees and gorillas.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 153:281–82. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2014.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel. “Ontogeny of bipedalism: Changes in the location and direction of the ground reaction force in toddlers.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 150:298–298. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2013.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel. “Comparative first metatarsal head trabecular bone ontogeny in African apes and humans.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 147:310–310. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2012.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel. “An ontogenetic assessment of trabecular architecture at the human talocalcaneal joint.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 144:317–317. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2011.Link to Item
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Chirchir, Habiba, Brian G. Richmond, Nicole L. Griffin, Masato Nakatsukasa, Angel Zeininger, and Richard A. Ketcham. “Hand biomechanics and trabecular architecture in hominoid metacarpals.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 81–81. WILEY-LISS, 2010.Link to Item
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Zeininger, Angel, and Timothy M. Ryan. “First steps: Trabecular morphology of the juvenile calcaneus.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 250–250. WILEY-LISS, 2010.Link to Item
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Zeininger, A., L. J. Shapiro, and D. A. Raichlen. “The effects of digitigrade cheiridial postures on speed and gait in infant baboons.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 279–279. WILEY-LISS, 2009.Link to Item
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Shapiro, L. J., A. Zeininger, and J. L. VandeBerg. “The influence of body size and substrate size on quadrupedalism in Monodelphis domestica.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 191–191. WILEY-LISS, 2008.Link to Item
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Zeininger, A. “The influence of foot posture on effective mechanical advantage at the knee and ankle during human bipedalism.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 228–228. WILEY-LISS, 2008.Link to Item
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Zeininger, A., L. J. Shapiro, and D. A. Raichlen. “Ontogeny of digitigrade hand and foot postures in infant baboons (Papio cynocephalus).” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 255–255. WILEY-LISS, 2007.Link to Item
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Zeininger, A., G. Hartman, and B. G. Richmond. “Metacarpal head biomechanics: a comparative backscattered electron image analysis of trabecular bone mineral density in Pan troglodytes and Homo sapiens.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 229–229. WILEY-LISS, 2005.Link to Item
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Recent Courses
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