Frances White

Dr. Frances White is a Professor of biological anthropology at the University of Oregon, affiliated with the Department of Anthropology within the College of Arts and Sciences. She serves as the Curator of Biological Collections at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) and directs the UO Primate Osteology Lab. Her roles include Chair of the UO Academic Council (since 2015) and former Head of the Department of Anthropology (2013–2022). She holds a B.A. (1980) and M.A. (1981) from the University of Cambridge, U.K., and a Ph.D. (1986) from SUNY Stony Brook.

Her research focuses on primate behavioral ecology and the evolution of social systems, including field studies of bonobos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and lemurs in the U.S. Her lab investigates primate morphology and osteology. Key grants include funding from the National Science Foundation and the Leakey Foundation.

Dr. White teaches courses on primate behavior, human evolution, and biological statistics. She advises students in her lab and oversees the UO Primate Osteology Collection. Her recognition includes being named a Royal Society of Biology Fellow in 2021.