Joseph M. Erwin

Joseph M. Erwin is a Research Professor of Anthropology specializing in primate neurobiology and aging. He directs the Foundation for Comparative and Conservation Biology while advancing captive primate welfare and wild primate conservation. His work bridges neuroscientific, ecological, and educational domains.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Psychobiology, University of California, Davis (1974)
• M.A., University of California, Davis (1971)
• B.A., University of the Pacific, Stockton (1967)

Research Interests: Focuses on neurobiological mechanisms of aging in primates, captive primate management, and conservation strategies. Integrates comparative approaches to understand menopause, neurodegenerative diseases, and species-specific aging patterns across primates.

Publications: His work spans neuroanatomical studies in gorillas and chimpanzees, diabetes models in nonhuman primates, and interneuron evolution in human prefrontal cortex. Highlights include foundational texts like Aging in Nonhuman Primates (2002) and Chimpanzee Conservation and Public Health (1992).

Awards & Grants: No specific honors mentioned, though his leadership in the Foundation for Comparative and Conservation Biology indicates sustained professional recognition.

Labs/Teams: Oversees research through the Foundation, collaborating with institutions like the National Primate Research Centers and international conservation networks.