Jason L. Heaton

Jason L. Heaton is an Assistant Professor of Anatomy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he teaches courses in biology and anthropology. A native of Alabama and first-generation college graduate, he transitioned from a career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to pursue academic research in paleoanthropology after studying at the University of South Alabama and Indiana University.

Research Interests: Dr. Heaton specializes in

• Paleoanthropology
• Human Evolutionary Anatomy
• Fossil Cercopithecoids
• Taphonomy
• Clinical Applications in Anatomy
• Problem-Based Learning

His work focuses on fossil primates from South Africa, particularly the nearly complete Australopithecus skeleton 'Little Foot,' which provides critical insights into human evolution. He collaborates with researchers in France, Germany, South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S.

Contact: Email jlheaton@uab.edu or visit his office in the Science & Engineering Complex, Room 3123.