Evolution of Cercopithecoid Monkeys Professors and Supervisors

Paul E. Morseمشاهده پروفایل

استادیار

University of Colorado, DenverUnited States

Paul E. Morse, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He teaches human histology in the Masters of Science in Modern Human Anatomy program and the School of Dental Medicine. His research explores the adaptive dietary context of primate evolution through comparative dental morphology, with fieldwork in the Bighorn Basin (Wyoming) and advanced microCT-based 3D analyses. Professional Affiliations: Collaborates with the Florida Museum of Natural History, Stonybrook University, Duke University, and the Smithsonian Institution. Research Focus: Investigates primate origins via dental topography metrics (RFI, DNE, OPCR), enamel thickness, and wear patterns, linking diet to evolutionary radiations during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). Software Development: Co-created molaR, a widely-used open-source R package for dental topography analysis. His recent work connects climate change impacts on vertebrate faunas during the PETM to primate biogeography, utilizing computational tools to decode dietary signals from fossil teeth. He also contributes to marine vertebrate studies, including shark vertebral microanatomy. Key collaborations include interdisciplinary projects with institutions like the Colorado State Anatomical Board (2023-present), Rocky Mountain Biological Anthropology Association (Vice President, 2021-present), and Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (Student & Postdoctoral Liaison Committee, 2019-2022).

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

Julia Arensonمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر ارشد

Yale UniversityUnited States

Julia Arenson is a Research Fellow at Yale University, affiliated with the Department of Anthropology and the Yale Peabody Museum. Her research focuses on the evolution of cercopithecoid monkeys, particularly systematics, skeletal functional morphology, and biogeography. She earned her PhD in Biological Anthropology from the City University of New York (2024), where her dissertation explored colobine monkey phylogeny and biogeography using total-evidence analysis. Currently, she investigates Congo Basin primate biodiversity to inform conservation efforts. Her work combines morphological and molecular approaches to study primate evolution, with a focus on fossil and extant taxa. Key projects include describing new fossil guenon species and analyzing Dryas monkey specimens for taxonomic and locomotor insights. Arenson’s research bridges paleontology, systematics, and conservation biology, emphasizing the interplay between morphology and environmental adaptation. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding primate cranial variation in captive vs. wild populations, reevaluating fossil taxonomy, and reconstructing evolutionary histories of colobine monkeys. Her findings advance both taxonomic accuracy and conservation strategies for endangered primates.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

Christopher C. Gilbertمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

City University of New YorkUnited States

Christopher C. Gilbert is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), where he teaches and supervises undergraduate and graduate students. He leads the Gilbert Primate Evolution Lab, which houses osteological and cast collections analyzed via 3D imaging and anatomical tools. Dr. Gilbert is also a member of the doctoral faculty in the PhD Program in Anthropology at the Graduate Center, CUNY, and a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History's Division of Paleontology. Primary Affiliation: Hunter College (Department of Anthropology) Additional Roles: Graduate Center, CUNY (Doctoral Faculty); New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP); American Museum of Natural History (Research Associate) Educational Background: B.A., Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Duke University Ph.D., Stony Brook University (2008), advisor John Fleagle Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale University, working with Andrew Hill and Eric Sargis Research Focus: Dr. Gilbert is a primate paleontologist studying 66 million years of primate and mammalian evolution, with emphasis on craniodental anatomy and phylogenetic systematics. His work spans the Eocene to present, including: African and Asian hominoid evolutionary history and biogeography Old World monkey systematics (especially Plio-Pleistocene African papionins) Fieldwork in the Indian Siwalik Hills (2010-present) and Wind River Basin, Wyoming (collaborative projects) Ecological and climatic responses in early primates during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum Publications Trends: His recent work focuses on: Hominoid evolution gaps (e.g., Ramnagar Miocene ape) Cercopithecoid phylogeny and biogeography 3D imaging applications in fossil analysis Taphonomy and paleoecology of Miocene sites Collaborative studies linking primate and hominin evolution Grants & Collaborations: Dr. Gilbert's research is funded by the National Science Foundation, Leakey Foundation, Wenner-Gren Foundation, and CUNY grants. Collaborators include Rajeev Patnaik (Panjab University), Biren Patel (USC), Chris Campisano (Arizona State), Ross Secord (University of Nebraska), Stephen Chester (Brooklyn College, CUNY), and Amy Chew (Brown University). Labs & Teams: He oversees the Gilbert Primate Evolution Lab at Hunter College and participates in the New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP) and the Nutritional Ecology Lab.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

David Begunمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of TorontoCanada

David Begun is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto, focusing on evolutionary anthropology. His research explores the origins of great apes and humans through paleoanthropology, functional anatomy, and biogeography. Dr. Begun collaborates with teams in Europe, Turkey, and Hungary, integrating fossil evidence with climate data to reconstruct migration patterns and ecological adaptations. Dr. Begun earned his degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1987 and has since led fieldwork projects in Spain, Hungary, Turkey, and Romania. His lab (AP 414) investigates Miocene hominoid evolution, with a particular emphasis on dental morphology, locomotion, and cranial reconstructions. Research interests include: Paleoanthropology Functional Anatomy Systematics Human Origins Primate Evolution Biogeography Brain Evolution Dr. Begun’s recent publications highlight trends in Miocene hominoid taxonomy, dental adaptations, and locomotor evolution. His work often employs geometric morphometrics, synchrotron imaging, and isotopic analysis to explore evolutionary pathways. Dr. Begun advises graduate students like Andrew Holmes and leads the Rudabanya Field School, providing hands-on excavation training in Hungary. His lab addresses range from 418 to 414 at the Anthropology Building, 19 Russell Street, Toronto.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

W. Scott McGrawمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Ohio State UniversityUnited States

W. Scott McGraw is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at The Ohio State University, with affiliations in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. He holds dual roles as a Collaborative Scientist at Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Co-Director of the Tai Forest Monkey Project in Côte d'Ivoire. His research focuses on primate behavioral ecology, evolutionary anatomy, and conservation in African rainforests. Education: Ph.D. (1996), M.A. (1993, 1989), B.A. (1987) in Anthropology from Stony Brook, Alabama, and Northwestern Universities. Extensive postdoctoral training at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Research Interests: Primatology, functional morphology, primate locomotion, dietary adaptations, and conservation of endangered species like the red colobus. Key projects include Tai Forest primate surveys, mangabey feeding mechanics, and microbiome studies. Publications emphasize primate behavior, skeletal biomechanics, and conservation strategies. Over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Awards include the Harlan Hatcher Faculty Award and Distinguished Teaching accolades. Grants: NSF funding for bone material studies, dietary analyses, and conservation initiatives. Advised over 20 graduate students and mentored numerous undergraduates. Active in global conservation efforts, including anti-poaching patrols in Ivory Coast. Labs/Teams: Tai Forest Monkey Project, Ohio State Primate Lab, and collaborations with Yerkes and Emory University researchers.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

Christopher Gilbertمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

City University of New YorkUnited States

Christopher Gilbert is a Professor of Biological Anthropology at Hunter College and the Ph.D. Program in Anthropology at the CUNY Graduate Center. He is also a member of NYCEP and a Research Associate in the Division of Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History. His educational background includes a PhD from Stony Brook University in 2008. His primary research interests span primate evolution throughout the past 65 million years, with specific focus on: Neogene primate evolution, biochronology, and biogeography in Africa and Asia Evolutionary history and phylogenetic systematics of catarrhines Plio-Pleistocene cercopithecoids and their relationship to hominin evolution Paleocene-Eocene primate and mammalian ecomorphology, diversity, biogeography, and evolution Character coding methodology in phylogenetic analysis and comparison of cladistic and morphometric methods Professor Gilbert's recent research has focused on several major projects: Cercopithecoid Evolutionary History and Its Relationship to Hominin Biochronology (Wenner-Gren funded) Primate Evolution in the Indian Lower Siwaliks (NSF and Leakey Foundation funded) Nyanzapithecus alesi and its implications for hominoid evolution Early Eocene Primate Evolution: Paleoenvironmental and Paleoecological Responses to Climate Change Taxonomy and Evolutionary Morphology of the Guenons (Tribe Cercopithecini) His publication record shows a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research combining paleontology, evolutionary biology, and anthropology. His work frequently involves international collaboration with researchers from institutions across the United States and abroad, particularly in India and Africa. His research spans both fieldwork and laboratory analysis, with a particular emphasis on phylogenetic methods and biochronology. Among his notable scientific contributions are: Recognition of new primate taxa in the Siwalik Hills of India Reassessment of baboon evolution and biochronology Phylogenetic analyses of African papionins using combined morphological and molecular data Professor Gilbert has mentored numerous students, many of whom have become co-authors on his publications. His research has been supported by major funding agencies including the National Science Foundation, Wenner-Gren Foundation, and Leakey Foundation. He has conducted paleontological fieldwork in multiple international locations, including the Siwalik Hills in India and the Wind River Basin in Wyoming. His laboratory and research team include undergraduate and graduate students who participate in fieldwork and analysis. His work with the NYCEP and AMNH provides additional resources and collaborative opportunities for his research program.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

David Daeglingمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of FloridaUnited States

David Daegling is Professor of Anthropology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida, where he has served since 2011 after previously holding faculty positions at Yale University (1990-2000) and Duke University (1992-1993). His research focuses on biomechanical modeling of skeletal structures, occlusal dental microwear analysis, and primate functional morphology, with extensive fieldwork conducted in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire as part of the Taï Monkey Project. Daegling's research interests center on developing methods for functional and adaptive inference in the paleontological record, particularly regarding primate and human evolution. His work spans three primary areas: biomechanical modeling of skeletal structures (examining stress/strain profiles in comparative samples), dental microwear analysis (investigating diet and ingestive behavior's impact on microwear formation), and functional morphology of Taï Forest monkeys (studying material and structural properties of craniofacial and locomotor skeletons). His laboratory conducts skeletal biomechanics and morphometrics research on cercopithecoid monkeys to understand evolutionary adaptations. Analysis of Daegling's recent publications reveals consistent focus on primate skeletal biomechanics, dental microwear formation mechanisms, and functional morphology of African monkeys. His work integrates field observations from Côte d'Ivoire with laboratory-based biomechanical testing and modeling, creating a comprehensive approach to understanding primate and hominin evolution. Key themes include bone material property variation, dental adaptation to diet, locomotor skeleton mechanics, and methodological development for paleontological inference. University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship (2016) Colonel Allan R. and Margaret G. Crow Term Professor of Anthropology (2015, 2010) Yale University Senior Faculty Fellowship in the Social Sciences (1996) Yale University Junior Faculty Fellowship in the Social Sciences (1992) Oschinsky-McKern Award, Canadian Association for Physical Anthropology (1989) Mildred Trotter Award, American Association of Physical Anthropologists (1988) Daegling has secured significant research funding including an ongoing National Science Foundation grant (2014-2017) as Lead PI on a collaborative project titled 'Biomechanical significance of bone material variation in the primate locomotor skeleton.' His laboratory at UF conducts research on the material and structural properties of primate skeletons as part of the Taï Monkey Project. Daegling also maintains active involvement in science education and skeptical inquiry, notably authoring 'Bigfoot Exposed: An Anthropologist Examines America's Enduring Legend' (2004).

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه