Robert Quinlan

Robert Quinlan is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Washington State University, within the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds an affiliation with the Allen School for Global Health and is actively engaged in research and teaching in evolutionary and cultural anthropology.

• Ph.D., Anthropology, University of Missouri, Columbia, 2000
• M.A., Anthropology, University of Missouri, Columbia, 1995
• B.A., Anthropology (Major), Biology (Minor), University of Memphis, 1992

His research focuses on human behavioral and cultural ecology, particularly how environmental risk and uncertainty shape reproductive strategies, family systems, parenting, and health. His work spans regions including the Caribbean, Africa, and South India, examining topics such as life history development, impulsivity, resilience in small-scale production systems, and the integration of traditional medicine with biomedicine. He also investigates antimicrobial use and resistance among agro-pastoralist communities in Tanzania.

Quinlan’s recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary focus, combining evolutionary theory, ethnographic methods, and public health concerns. His research trends show a consistent emphasis on cross-cultural comparison, mixed-methods field research, and the socio-ecological determinants of human behavior and health. He frequently collaborates with graduate students and interdisciplinary teams, especially through the Allen School for Global Health.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Lambda Alpha, National Anthropology Honors Society
• Dominica Academy of Arts & Sciences
• Evolutionary Anthropology Society
• Society for Cross-Cultural Research
• Society for Medical Anthropology
• Society of Ethnobiology
• Société de Démographie Historique

Quinlan has advised numerous graduate students across diverse topics in ethnobiology, human ecology, and cultural anthropology. He has secured significant external funding, including from the National Science Foundation, and has held leadership roles such as Evolutionary Anthropology Graduate Studies Coordinator and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Ethnobiology. He is actively involved in academic service, including on the WSU Faculty Senate and IRB, and as a consultant for Hawassa University in Ethiopia. His research is supported by extensive fieldwork and collaborative networks in Dominica, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Bolivia.