Heike Scherf

Dr. Heike Scherf is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Natural Science Archaeology within the Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Tübingen. Her work bridges paleoanthropology and biomechanical analysis of skeletal structures in primates and fossil humans.

Her academic background includes:

• Ph.D. in Natural Sciences (2000-2006) from Darmstadt University of Technology with Senckenberg Research Institute, thesis: 'Locomotion-related femoral trabecular architectures in Primates'
• Diploma in Geology – Palaeontology from Darmstadt University of Technology, thesis: 'Functional implications of the femoral construction of selected primates and insectivores'

Dr. Scherf's research centers on functional adaptation of bone microstructures under locomotor loads, specializing in trabecular and cortical bone analysis through high-resolution CT imaging. She develops computational methodologies for quantifying bony architecture to reconstruct habitual locomotion in fossil hominins, with particular focus on stress estimation and comparative biomechanics between extant and extinct primates. Her work establishes critical links between skeletal morphology and behavioral adaptation.

Publication trends reveal progressive methodological refinement from early imaging techniques (2004-2009) toward sophisticated applications in human evolution studies (2016-2021), consistently emphasizing quantitative analysis of bone microstructures and locomotor reconstruction.

Key recognitions include:

• DFG Major Research Instrumentation grant for high-resolution CT system (2010)
• DFG Travel Grant for International Mammalogical Congress (2005)
• Senckenberg Gesellschaft research support (2004)
• Ermann Stiftung CT scan funding (2002)
• Hessian Ministry Ph.D. fellowship for women in STEM (2001-2003)

As a Research Fellow, she leads advanced imaging projects without formal student supervision. Her secured instrumentation grants have significantly enhanced the department's paleoanthropology capabilities, particularly through acquisition of high-resolution CT technology for fossil analysis.

Dr. Scherf operates within Tübingen's Palaeoanthropology research group, utilizing specialized laboratories for micro-CT imaging and bone microstructure analysis, contributing to the university's international reputation in human evolution studies.