David Puts

David Puts is a Professor of Anthropology at Pennsylvania State University, specializing in evolutionary approaches to human behavior. His research focuses on sexual selection, hormonal influences on behavior, and reproductive strategies. He holds a B.A. from Kenyon College (1995), M.A. (1998), and Ph.D. (2004) from the University of Pittsburgh. Puts’ work bridges anthropology, biology, and psychology, emphasizing topics like voice pitch as an evolutionary signal, pubertal timing effects, and the biological basis of gendered behavior. His lab (https://beel.la.psu.edu/) investigates human evolution and sexual selection mechanisms.

Research interests include vocal communication, hormonal endocrinology, and the evolutionary origins of sexual dimorphism. His studies often address how traits like voice pitch or facial features signal health, dominance, or fertility. Recent work examines cross-cultural variations in social perception and the role of hormones in shaping sexual motivation. Puts frequently collaborates across disciplines, integrating data from primatology, endocrinology, and behavioral ecology.

Publications highlight themes such as sexual orientation’s biological underpinnings, the relationship between vocal parameters and health, and the societal implications of evolutionary adaptations. His research has been featured in high-impact journals, emphasizing methodological rigor and interdisciplinary synthesis.