I am a biological anthropologist who uses evolutionary theory to better understand global variation in human biology, health, and behavior. I am particularly interested in how humans have evolved to manage energetic resources (i.e., calories) across the life course and the impact of economic development on energy use and metabolic health (e.g., obesity, inflammation, chronic disease). To address these topics, I have developed a field and laboratory research program that integrates diverse biocultural approaches. My long-term, collaborative research is performed among transitioning forager-horticulturalists in Ecuador and Papua New Guinea as well as with small-scale agriculturalists in Mexico.
I received my Ph.D. in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University (with Peter Ellison) in 2016. I am currently a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Anthropology at CUNY Hunter College, working with Herman Pontzer in the Human Evolution and Energetics Lab.
My research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the LSB Leakey Foundation, the Czech Science Foundation, and others. It has been featured by The Scientist Magazine, Discover Magazine, Science Daily, and other media outlets.
Follow me on Twitter @SSUrlacher
