About
My primary focus is on understanding human biological variation through the lens of hair and pigmentation. My research lies at the intersection of human biology, biometric technology, dermatology, and aims to understand the broader implications of human variation. In previous work, I have investigated the evolutionary advantages of tightly curled hair and developed standardized methodologies for studying hair curvature and cross-sectional shape. My ongoing work features strong interdisciplinary elements, bringing together experts from population genetics, computer science, dermatology, forensics, and more.
Research areas:
- hair
- pigmentation
- evolutionary biology
- facial recognition
- forensic genetics
Awards:
2024 The AABA and Leakey Foundation Communication & Outreach Award in Honor of Camilla Smith
2023 Popular Science Brilliant 10
2022 Jon C. Graff, PhD Prize for Excellence in Science Communication
2022 Science News Top 10 Scientists To Watch
2019 Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grant (Gr. 9911)
2019 National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (No. 1847845)
2018 Juan Comas Prize, American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA)
