The graduate program in biological anthropology at CU Boulder offers training in several areas, including primatology, human biology, and paleoanthropology. We share an interest in human ecology, the broad integrative area of anthropology that focuses on the interactions of culture, biology and the environment. We also share an interest in the processes of globalization, which are rapidly changing many aspects of the modern world. As biological anthropologists, we are well positioned to analyze the impact of globalization on the interaction between biology and behavior, and to analyze human and primate adaptations to changing environments and declining biodiversity. Our faculty research interests include:
Training & Research
We offer training and research opportunities in several laboratories and at several field sites. These include:
The South African Galago Project (PI: Michelle Sauther)
Our project focuses on the comparative ecology, biology and behavior of both species living in an Afro-Montane forest on top of the Soutpansberg Mountain range in Northern South Africa. While nearly all primate species live in the tropics, these bushbaby species are two of the few primates that live within temperate areas outside of the tropics. Due to their dramatic size difference, they are allowing us to better understand how body size may affect their ability to deal with challenging temperate environments. As there is not much information available on how challenging environments impact primates, understanding the thermal, dietary and behavioral ecology of these two primates living in a temperate environment will be essential for addressing what factors allow primates to adjust to a changing environment and will inform how primates living in changing, fluctuating tropical environments may adapt to changes in climate in the coming years.
Growth and Development Lab (PI: Robin Bernstein)
We use enzyme immunoassay methods to measure biomarkers in blood, saliva, hair, breast milk, stool, and urine. We also use mid-infrared spectroscopy to measure macronutrients in human breast milk. (Cristol Chemistry and Biochemistry, Room 251)
Nutritional and Isotopic Ecology Lab (NIEL; PI: Sponheimer)
We perform nutritional, mechanical, and isotopic analyses on a broad suite of plant and animal tissues to address questions about the ecology of modern and fossil taxa. (Cristol Chemistry and Biochemistry, Room 210). The lab has active projects in South Africa, Kenya, and the USA.
Primate Conservation and Ecology Laboratory (PI: Covert)
This is for training on the interface between primate skeletal biology and ecology.