Hans Thewissen

Hans Thewissen is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). He is also the Ingalls-Brown Professor of Biomedical Sciences and a Distinguished University Professor. His research focuses on mammalian design from anatomical and embryological perspectives, particularly examining evolutionary constraints and environmental effects on skeletal structures in marine mammals. He uses fossils from India and Pakistan alongside modern samples from Alaska to study the transition of whales from terrestrial to aquatic life.

• B.S., University of Utrecht, Netherlands (1981)
• M.S., University of Utrecht, Netherlands (1984)
• Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1989)

Thewissen's work investigates gene control in the development of organs that underwent evolutionary changes, such as the fluke and flippers. He is notably interested in brain growth and scaling, hearing loss in aquatic mammals, and the use of non-remodeling skeletal structures as chronological markers. His publications span studies on cetacean sensory systems, skeletal adaptations, and evolutionary developmental biology.

Recent trends in Thewissen's research include the evolution of hearing and brain size in Eocene whales, protein signaling in fluke development, and comparative embryology of cetacean species. His work often bridges paleontology, developmental biology, and molecular research to unravel the evolutionary history of marine mammals.

• Distinguished University Professor
• Ingalls-Brown Professor

Thewissen teaches courses in Human Development and Structure, as well as Mammalian Morphology and Evolution. His research has been supported by collaborations and grants focused on understanding the origins of cetacean anatomy and physiology. He maintains active affiliations with institutions like ResearchGate and Google Scholar, where his publications are accessible.