Biren A. Patel

Biren A. Patel is a Clinical Professor at the Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC). His research focuses on evolutionary and functional morphology, particularly the locomotor behavior of humans and non-human primates, with emphasis on hand and foot function. He leads the Patel Laboratory and collaborates with MorphoSource for 3D morphological data curation.

Key research areas include primate limb bone morphology, fossil hominoid analysis (e.g., Ramnagar ape discoveries), and biomechanical adaptations in bipedalism. His work combines geometric morphometrics, finite element analysis, and paleontological studies to address evolutionary questions. Notable contributions include studies on Australopithecus afarensis foot structure and Homo naledi morphology.

Publications span topics from primate dental morphology to bone microstructure variations, often integrating comparative anatomy with paleoecological interpretations. His work bridges anthropology, biomechanics, and evolutionary biology, with applications in both academic research and medical anatomy (e.g., osteochondral graft studies).

Labs/Teams: Patel Laboratory at USC.