Susan M. Cachel

Susan M. Cachel is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, affiliated with the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). Her primary research focuses on physical anthropology, primate evolution, and evolutionary theory, with notable contributions to hominid bipedalism origins and hominization processes. She holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (1976) and has been recognized with prestigious awards including AAAS Fellowship (2009) and the 2005 AAPA Plenary Prize.

Her academic contributions span multiple domains: pioneering work on primate locomotion's role in bipedalism, studies on nutritional ecology's impact on human migration, and innovative approaches to interpreting hominin behavior through tool analysis. She teaches courses like 'Human Variation' (01:070:356) and has authored influential texts such as Primate and Human Evolution (2006) and Fossil Primates (2015).

Recent research emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, linking morphological studies with behavioral ecology. A 2017 paper explored nasal cavity energetics' influence on cranial adaptations, while 2016 critiques highlighted legal barriers to fossil research. Her reviews for high-impact journals demonstrate leadership in synthesizing paleoanthropological knowledge.

Professional service includes editorial roles and committee work at AAPA. Current interests include Arctic human adaptation studies and developing metrics for evaluating innovative behaviors in early hominins. Her lab focuses on integrating morphometric analyses with environmental modeling to understand evolutionary trajectories.