Caley M. Orr

Caley M. Orr is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with an affiliate appointment in the Department of Anthropology. Her research focuses on paleoanthropology and comparative anatomy, specifically examining the adaptations and phylogenetic relationships of early human ancestors and the evolutionary transformation of the postcranial skeleton.

Dr. Orr's research interests include:

• Paleoanthropology and human evolution
• Comparative anatomy of hands and feet in humans, nonhuman primates, and fossil hominins
• Morphology related to bipedal locomotion and tool use
• Evolutionary transformation of the postcranial skeleton
• Functional morphology of the primate hand

Her research methodology combines traditional anatomical study with quantitative bioengineering and computer science approaches, including computed-tomography-based analysis of joint kinematics, surface laser scanning, three-dimensional morphometrics, electromyography, and measurement of muscle moment arms. She has conducted fieldwork in numerous international locations including Italy, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, France, Spain, and Wyoming.

Dr. Orr teaches human gross anatomy in the Master of Science Program in Modern Human Anatomy and in professional health science programs (School of Medicine and School of Dental Medicine) at CU Anschutz. She advises anthropology graduate and undergraduate students with interests in paleoanthropology and primate comparative morphology.

Her publication record demonstrates significant contributions to the understanding of hominin evolution, particularly regarding Homo naledi and Homo floresiensis. Her research spans topics from wrist and hand morphology to broader evolutionary questions about bipedality and tool use in human ancestors.