Glenn C. Conroy, Ph.D.

DEPARTMENT OF Anatomy & Neurobiology
Keywords: evolution, imaging, human evolution, paleontology, growth and maturation

Work in my laboratory is focused upon the analysis of paleontological evidence for primate evolution, particularly over the past 15 million years of earth history. Of particular interest is the time period between 15 to 5 million years ago, the temporal framework within which humans and African apes diverged. In conjunction with the medical imaging laboratory of the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and the University of Vienna, we are currently applying state-of-the-art computer imaging techniques to investigate anatomical structures in both extinct and extant primates and African fossil hominids. These techniques allow us to create two- and three-dimensional images and to electronically “dissect” fossils. At present, we are using CT to investigate craniodental morphology and patterns of growth and maturation in South African australopithecines. In addition, I am currently involved in a multidisciplinary paleoanthropological field project in South Africa and Ethiopia.