Research Interests
Download the paper: "Surprising trunk rotational capabilities in chimpanzees and implications for bipedal walking proficiency in early hominins" here
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Trunk motion and morphologyThe trunk plays a pivotal role during bipedalism in modern humans. Coordination both within the trunk, and between the trunk and the rest of the body contributes to locomotor efficiency and stability. As part of my dissertation, I am investigating how gross differences in trunk shape affect trunk mechanisms used during locomotion. In particular, I am interested in how an ape-like trunk morphology affects: 1) conservation of angular momentum via out-of-phase axial rotations of the thorax and pelvis, 2) how the trunk functions to balance the center of mass above stance side foot, and 3) how sagittal plane stability is maintain given a differing number of lumbar vertebrae. Understanding how non-human morphologies affect these mechanisms during locomotion will allow us to understanding the mosaic trunk morphologies that we see in early hominins.
See more about the chimpanzee bipedalism project here. |
Semicircular canal morphology and head stabilitySemicircular canal (SCC) morphology has often been utilized by paleontologists in order to determine aspects of locomotor behavior in fossil primates and other vertebrates. This is due to the inherent link between head motion and reflexes under control of the SCC's. However, little data exists as to how exactly SCC morphology is related to head motion during locomotion, and what this means for identifying locomotor shifts in fossils from SCC morphology. As part of my dissertation, I am using facultatively bipedal chimpanzees to test if, and how a shift in SCC morphology in hominins is related to the adoption of obligate bipedalism.
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Knuckle-walking mechanicsKnuckle-walking is a bizarre form of locomotion that is used, among extant primates, exclusively by chimpanzees and gorillas. Hypotheses concerning the origin of knuckle-walking behaviors often reference joint level mechanical benefits. Yet to date, kinematic and kinetic data capable of answering questions about joint level mechanics have been lacking. I am currently beginning a project combining kinematic, kinetic, and pressure pad data in order to perform an inverse dynamic analysis of the chimpanzee forearm. Through this, I will be able to calculate joint level mechanics, and will be able to model the effect of independent anatomical parameters which have been thought to lead to the evolution of knuckle-walking.
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Chacma baboon. Download the paper: "Ontogenetic Scaling of Fore-and Hind Limb Posture in Wild Chacma Baboons (Papio hamadryas ursinus)" here
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Field-based kinematicsWhile laboratory-based kinematics remain the gold standard for studying aspects of locomotion in primate, I also have an active interest in translating kinematic research to field sites. Field-based kinematic research benefits from large sample sizes and the ability to answer broader questions than lab-based research, and investigate locomotion in endangered populations. Current and past research with my collaborators includes:
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