Fields of Research
Research in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology focuses on the evolutionary history of the mammalian radiation containing the human species and on the origins of human nature. By being taxon-based, evolutionary anthropology is inherently interdisciplinary, and brings techniques and concepts from a variety of traditional academic disciplines to bear on the core questions of who we are and where we came from. These disciplines include evolutionary biology, archaeology, geology, paleontology, behavioral ecology, genetics, developmental biology, psychology, economics and other social sciences.
- Evolutionary Medicine
- Functional Morphology
- Paleontology
- Primate Behavior & Ecology
- Primate Cognition/Human Cognitive Evolution
- Systematics & Comparative Methods
Charles L Nunn
Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
Campus Box: 90383, 106 Biological Sciences, Durham, NC 27708
Steven E. Churchill
Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: Duke University, Evolutionary Anthropology, 130 Science Drive, Room 108, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 660-7314
I am a human paleontologist studying morphological and behavioral adaptation in archaic and modern humans of the Middle and Late Pleistocene. Through comparative functional-morphological analysis of human fossil remains, coupled with investigation of the archeological record of...
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Sara Doyle
Instructor B of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 012 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 684-6582
V. Louise Roth
Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 241 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90325, Durham, NC 27708-0325
Phone: (919) 660-7352
In addition to conceptual work on the biological bases of homology, variation, and parallel evolution, my research has focused on evolutionary changes in size and shape in mammals: the functional consequences of these changes, and the evolutionary modifications of ontogenetic processes that...
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Daniel Oliver Schmitt
Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 203 Biological Sciences Buildi, 130 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708
Phone: (919) 684-5664
Christine Elizabeth Wall
Research Professor Emerita of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: Room 206B Biological Sciences Building, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 668-2543
The focus of my work is the functional and evolutionary anatomy of the head, with an emphasis on how the feeding apparatus works and how it influences and is influenced by other structures and functions. My research focuses primarily on the functional anatomy of extant and extinct primates, but...
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Angel Zeininger
Lecturning Fellow, Senior 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...
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Steven E. Churchill
Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: Duke University, Evolutionary Anthropology, 130 Science Drive, Room 108, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 660-7314
I am a human paleontologist studying morphological and behavioral adaptation in archaic and modern humans of the Middle and Late Pleistocene. Through comparative functional-morphological analysis of human fossil remains, coupled with investigation of the archeological record of...
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Richard Frederick Kay
Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 0013 Biological Sciences Building, 130 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 684-2143
I have two areas of research:1) the evolution of primates in South America; and 2) the use of primate anatomy to reconstruct the phylogenetic history and adapations of living and extinct primates, especially Anthropoidea.
1) Evolution of primates and mammalian faunal evolution,...
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Blythe A. Williams
Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 0013 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 660-7385
I'm interested in the evolutionary relationships and ecological adaptations of primates, with particular focus on the initial diversification of the order Primates, the origin of the Anthropoidea, and the early hominoid radiation. I am also interested in the effects of climate change on the...
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Susan C. Alberts
Chair of the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 130 Science Drive, Rm 137, Duke Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708-0338
Phone: (919) 660-7272
Leslie J. Digby
Associate Professor of the Practice of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 08A Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 660-7398
My research focuses on the behavior and ecology of non-human primates, including how primates balance cooperation and competition in their breeding strategies. In addition, I examine how animals mitigate the costs of temperature extremes through behavior and the use of microhabitats. Our...
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Christine M. Drea
Earl D. McLean Professor
Office: 129 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, 08 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 660-7367
I have two broad research interests, sexual differentiation and social behavior, both focused on hyenas and primates. I am particularly interested in unusual species in which the females display a suite of masculinized characteristics, including male- like or exaggerated external genitalia...
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Kenneth Earl Glander
Professor Emeritus of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 130 Science Dr., 108 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708
Phone: (919) 668-0267
...
Brian Hare
Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 004 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 660-7292
Anne Pusey
James B. Duke Professor Emerita of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 101 Biological Sciences Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 684-1848
I have recently retired and am not taking on new students although I am continuing some research projects. I am interested in understanding the evolution of sociality, social structure, and the patterns of competition, cooperation and social bonds in animal species, including humans. Most of my...
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Jenny Tung
Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 08 Bio Sci, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708
Phone: (919) 668-4912
Christine M. Drea
Earl D. McLean Professor
Office: 129 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, 08 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 660-7367
I have two broad research interests, sexual differentiation and social behavior, both focused on hyenas and primates. I am particularly interested in unusual species in which the females display a suite of masculinized characteristics, including male- like or exaggerated external genitalia...
Full Profile »
Brian Hare
Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 004 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 660-7292
Evan L MacLean
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: Box 90383 Biological Sciences, Evolutionary Anthropology, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Box 90999, Durham, NC 27708-0999
Phone: (919) 660-7294
Anne Pusey
James B. Duke Professor Emerita of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 101 Biological Sciences Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 684-1848
I have recently retired and am not taking on new students although I am continuing some research projects. I am interested in understanding the evolution of sociality, social structure, and the patterns of competition, cooperation and social bonds in animal species, including humans. Most of my...
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Thomas T Struhsaker
Adjunct Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Currently involved in ecological and demographic studies of the Udzungwa Red Colobus Monkey in the Udzungwa Mts. of Tanzania. The long-term goal of this project is to increase our understanding of this vulnerable, endemic species and to improve the conservation of it and its habitat along with...
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Vanessa Woods
Research Scientist
Office: Rm 004A Biological Sciences, Durham, NC 27703
Campus Box: Box 90383, Durham, NC 277080383
Phone: +1 919 684 4124
Vanessa has worked at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in Congo since 2005. Her main research interest is the socio-sexual behavior of bonobos and chimpanzees.
Richard Frederick Kay
Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Office: 0013 Biological Sciences Building, 130 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Phone: (919) 684-2143
I have two areas of research:1) the evolution of primates in South America; and 2) the use of primate anatomy to reconstruct the phylogenetic history and adapations of living and extinct primates, especially Anthropoidea.
1) Evolution of primates and mammalian faunal evolution,...
Full Profile »
Charles L Nunn
Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
Campus Box: 90383, 106 Biological Sciences, Durham, NC 27708