Julie Lesnik

Dr. Julie Lesnik is an Associate Professor of Biological Anthropology at Wayne State University, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on human-animal interactions, ecology, evolution, and anti-colonial, multispecies anthropology. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Michigan (2011), an M.S. in Kinesiology (2011), and a B.S. in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University (2003).

Lesnik’s work emphasizes insects as a critical food source in human evolution, arguing that insects provided reliable nutrition for early hominins, particularly for women and families. Her 2018 book Edible Insects and Human Evolution synthesizes evidence from primatology, archaeology, and cultural anthropology. She is a 2018-2019 AAAS Leshner Leadership Institute Fellow, advocating for public engagement in anthropology through museum and nonprofit collaborations.

Her recent articles explore nitrogen isotope analysis for diet reconstruction, barriers to insect consumption in Western cultures, and co-evolutionary patterns in Andean agriculture. Awards include grants from the AAUW (2015) and Leakey Foundation (2015). She teaches courses like Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Food and Culture, emphasizing inclusive pedagogy. Currently on sabbatical for 2024-2025, she continues to mentor graduate students interested in bridging academic research with public outreach.