Michael Gurven

Michael Gurven is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Letters and Science. He is a leading scholar in evolutionary anthropology, biodemography, and human biology, with a focus on integrating biomedical perspectives into anthropological research. His work emphasizes the evolutionary underpinnings of human health, aging, and social behavior in subsistence populations, particularly among the Tsimane' of Bolivia.

Education: PhD in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico (2000).

Research Interests: Professor Gurven investigates how ecological and social factors shape health, physiology, and lifespan in non-industrial societies. Key themes include the role of pathogens in chronic disease, the evolutionary basis of cooperation, and the impact of modernization on health outcomes. He co-directs the Tsimane' Health and Life History Project, a long-term study exploring how subsistence lifestyles influence cardiovascular health, diabetes risk, and aging.

Grants & Projects: Gurven leads NIH-funded studies on cognitive aging and has secured grants for research on biodemographic patterns in indigenous populations. His work bridges evolutionary theory with applied public health, emphasizing global health disparities.

Awards: Distinguished Professor in Integrative Anthropological Sciences at UCSB. Recognized for contributions to evolutionary medicine and interdisciplinary research.

Labs/Teams: Director of the Evolutionary Anthropology and Biodemography Research Group, collaborating with global teams on fieldwork and lab-based studies.