The Biological Anthropology Program is concerned with modern human biological diversity and the past evolutionary history which has laid the foundations for that diversity. Integral portions of this concern include modern human population genetics and physiological adaptations, past human skeletal biology, bioarchaeology and the associated taphonomy of human skeletal remains, forensic anthropology, and human paleontology. As background to the study of human evolutionary biology, non-human primate behavior, bio-geography, and evolution are also studied.
Graduate degrees offered: MA or MS in Anthropology; PhD in Anthropology.
Biological Anthropology Faculty
Below is a description of each faculty member. More information about each faculty member can be found by clicking the profile
link below each faculty's description.
Hunley, Keith (PhD, Michigan)
Research interests include human population structure, human origins, cultural
and genetic correspondence, distinguishing population continuity versus replacement
using ancient DNA, and microevolution in small-scale populations. Current research
applies novel methods to understand the relationship between patterns of linguistic
and genetic variation in Native Americans.
Hunley Profile>>
Komar, Debra (PhD, University of Alberta)
Research interests include forensic anthropology, osteology, pathology, taphonomy. Research interests include
international human rights investigations, methods of identification,
decomposition, cold-climate taphonomy.
Komar Profile >>
Muller, Martin (Ph.D. Southern California)
Research interests include primate behavioral ecology, reproductive ecology, and behavioral and reproductive endocrinology.
Isotope ratio mass spectrometer instrumentation, including interfaces with an automated carbonate device and a laser for ablation; cryogenic separation of materials, dental microwear analysis.
Pearson, Osbjorn M. (PhD, SUNY-Stony Brook)
Research interests include human evolution and skeletal biology. Within the field of human evolution, his research concentrates on the origin of modern humans. Other interests include paleoanthropology, origin of modern humans, skeletal biology, functional morphology, quantitative methods, Africa and Europe.
Pearson Profile >>
Powell, Joseph F. (PhD, Texas A&M)
Research interests include human skeletal biology, peopling of the Americas,
bioarchaeology of Pleistocene-Holocene population in the US, Brazil, and Egypt.
Historic US cemetery bioarchaeology. Population and quantitative genetics applied
to skeletal phenotypes, Dental Anthropology.
Powell Profile >>
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