About
My primary focus is on understanding the diversity of human appearance, particularly hair and skin variation. My research lies at the intersection of human biology, biometric technology, dermatology, and aims to understand the broader implications of human variation across diverse populations. In my previous interdisciplinary collaborations, 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.
Building on this foundation, my laboratory will continue to delve into the complexities of human appearance, concentrating on several main areas: 1) developing innovative imaging and measurement tools for hair morphology, skin pigmentation, and biometric applications such as facial recognition, 2) investigating hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms shaping the diversity of hair and skin traits, while exploring their relevance in forensic contexts, and 3) examining how hair and skin variation influence biomarkers associated with fertility and overall health.
Research areas:
- hair morphology
- skin pigmentation
- evolutionary biology
- biometrics
- facial recognition
- forensic genetics
Awards:
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)
