Joseph M Plavcan

Joseph M Plavcan is a full-time Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences and the Environmental Dynamics Program. He serves as Director of Graduate Studies and has collaborated extensively with the Center for Advanced Spatial Technology.

• Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy from Duke University
• NIH-funded postdoc in Biology at University of Cincinnati

His research focuses on primate and human evolution, particularly sexual dimorphism in teeth, skulls, and limb bones. He employs laser scanning for 3D bone analysis and co-directs the West Turkana Paleontology Project in Kenya, exploring Plio-Pleistocene sites like Kanapoi, Lomekwi, and Natodomeri.

Key article trends include primate sexual dimorphism, hominin fossil analysis, and Pleistocene paleoecology. Subfields span dental morphology, Neanderthal body size, 3D skeletal modeling, and East African fieldwork.

Scientific honors include:

• University of Arkansas Master Researcher Award (2011)
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2008)

He has taught Medical Gross Anatomy for 12 years and offers courses in Primate Behavioral Ecology, Human Osteology, and comparative statistical methods. His grants include funding from the National Science Foundation, Wenner-Gren Foundation, Leakey Foundation, and Sigma Xi.