Thomas Kraft

Thomas Kraft is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Utah. He holds an adjunct appointment (2021–2022) and previously served as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2017–2021). He earned a BA in Neurobiology and Behavior from Cornell University (2010) and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Dartmouth College (2017).
His research focuses on evolutionary mismatch theory, examining how modern lifestyle changes affect health in transitioning populations like the Orang Asli of Malaysia and Tsimane of Bolivia. Key projects include the Orang Asli Health and Lifeways Project (OA HeLP) and studies on cardiometabolic health, epigenetics, and infectious disease dynamics.
Dr. Kraft's work bridges anthropology, biology, and public health, with notable contributions to understanding the evolutionary basis of disease susceptibility and aging processes. His recent findings include associations between urbanization and accelerated age-related health decline, the role of APOE4 in fertility and immunity, and the impact of testosterone on cardiovascular health in low-risk populations.
Awards include an Early Career Fellowship from Duke University (2022). He teaches courses in human origins, physical activity, and evolutionary ecology. Current grants (2022–2025) support studies on early-life environmental effects and genetic mechanisms in health transitions.