Katherine Willmore

Dr. Katherine Willmore is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Western Ontario. Her research focuses on the evolutionary and developmental mechanisms shaping mammalian craniofacial structures, combining quantitative methods like geometric morphometrics with interdisciplinary collaborations in molecular biology and disease modeling. She teaches human gross anatomy to medical, dental, and graduate students, emphasizing clinical and developmental aspects of head and neck anatomy.

Dr. Willmore holds a Ph.D. from the University of Calgary and a B.Sc. from the University of Guelph. Her work bridges developmental stability, genetic variation, and phenotypic integration, with studies on mice, primates, and baboons. She has pioneered educational initiatives like the national anatomy and radiology contouring bootcamp for radiation oncology residents, emphasizing both in-person and online learning modalities.

Her research collaborations include key institutions such as Penn State University and Baylor College of Medicine, addressing topics like craniofacial dysmorphology, connexin43 function in bone development, and evolutionary cell processes. Recent projects explore the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and maternal age on craniofacial outcomes, as well as the role of genetic and environmental factors in skeletal variation.