Caley Orr

Caley Orr, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Denver's School of Medicine within the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology. He teaches human anatomy in both the Masters of Science Modern Human Anatomy program and professional health science curricula, maintaining a dual research focus on paleoanthropology and comparative anatomy.

• Ph.D., Anthropology, Arizona State University, 2010
• Graduate Affiliation: Anthropology & Modern Human Anatomy programs

Dr. Orr investigates evolutionary origins of human adaptations through primate morphological studies and hominin fossil analysis. His work combines traditional anatomical examination with advanced technologies like computed tomography, laser scanning, and biomechanical modeling to trace evolutionary transformations in the postcranial skeleton.

Current research encompasses Arma Veirana (Italy) excavations examining Neanderthal-modern human transition (~40,000 years ago), alongside fieldwork in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Wyoming. Methodologically, he employs 3D morphometrics, electromyography, and muscle moment arm measurements to analyze locomotor constraints and novel behavior adaptations.

Key publications demonstrate hominin wrist evolution patterns, Homo naledi thumb morphology, and Neandertal scaphoid-centrale fusion implications. While no students are explicitly listed, his international collaborations span multiple continents' paleontological investigations.