Scott D. Maddux

Scott D. Maddux is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Anatomical Sciences within the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences at UNT Health Fort Worth. He holds a Ph.D. (2011) and M.A. (2006) in Anthropology from the University of Iowa, and a B.A. in Anthropology (2003) from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Maddux's research focuses on human evolution during the Middle and Late Pleistocene, with special emphasis on Neandertal and modern human craniofacial morphology. His work investigates evolutionary changes in upper respiratory tract anatomy related to respiratory air-conditioning demands across climates. Key methodologies include 3D modeling and geometric morphometric analysis using medical imaging (CT, μCT, MRI). Current projects examine climate-driven variation in nasal anatomy, evolutionary mismatches affecting respiratory health, developmental integration of nasal/sinus morphology, and Neandertal facial evolution.

His publications predominantly explore craniofacial adaptation, nasal physiology, and hominin morphology, with frequent applications of geometric morphometrics and climate-response modeling. Research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (BCS #2020715, BCS #2050253) and the American Association for Anatomy (Innovations Program).

Dr. Maddux directs the Maddux Lab and collaborates with UT Arlington's Computational Fluid Dynamics Laboratory to study airway physiology. He teaches extensively across programs, serving as course director for Musculoskeletal and Skin Systems 1 (MEDE 7811) and instructing in anatomy courses for medical, physical therapy, physician assistant, and graduate students.