James Paul Higham

James Paul Higham is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at New York University, affiliated with the College of Arts & Science. His research focuses on primate reproductive ecology and evolution, emphasizing sexual selection, communication, and endocrinology. He leads the Primate Reproductive Ecology and Evolution group, conducting fieldwork at sites like Cayo Santiago (Puerto Rico) and Tangkoko (Indonesia). Higham’s work integrates ethology, genetics, and immunology to study primate behavior, sensory perception, and aging. He has advised numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, collaborating with institutions globally. His lab uses advanced methods including hormonal assays, genomic sequencing, and computational modeling. Recent projects explore aging mechanisms, social behavior impacts, and evolutionary drivers of primate traits. Higham also contributes to conservation efforts, particularly for critically endangered species like crested macaques.

• Key Affiliations: NYU Anthropology Department, PHaB Lab, Cayo Santiago field site.
• Research Themes: Sexual signaling, immune function, precision touch, and primate aging.
• Field Sites: Puerto Rico, Sulawesi, Nigeria, and South America.

His publications span over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent emphasis on genetic architecture of aging, social immunity, and primate vision. Higham’s work bridges evolutionary theory and applied conservation, leveraging nonhuman primate models to understand human biology and ecology.