Herman Pontzer, Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology and Associate Research Professor of Global Health

How did the human body evolve, and how does our species' deep past shape our health and physiology today? Through lab and field research, I investigate the physiology of humans and apes to understand how ecology, lifestyle, diet, and evolutionary history affect metabolism and health. I'm also interested in how ecology and evolution influence musculoskeletal design and physical activity. Field projects focus on small-scale societies, including hunter-gatherers and subsistence farmers, in Africa and South America. Lab research focuses on energetics and metabolism, including respirometry and doubly labeled water methods.

Contact Info:

Office Location:
Office Phone:	(919) 684-4124
Email Address:

Teaching (Fall 2019):

• EVANTH 101.01, INTRO EVOLUTIONARY ANTHRO Synopsis

  Physics 128, TuTh 03:05 PM-04:20 PM

• EVANTH 101D.001, INTRO TO EVOLUTIONARY ANTHRO Synopsis

  Physics 128, TuTh 03:05 PM-04:20 PM

• EVANTH 101D.01D, INTRO TO EVOLUTIONARY ANTHRO Synopsis

  Bio Sci 119, M 10:05 AM-11:20 AM

• EVANTH 101D.02D, INTRO TO EVOLUTIONARY ANTHRO Synopsis

  Bio Sci 119, M 11:45 AM-01:00 PM

• EVANTH 101D.03D, INTRO TO EVOLUTIONARY ANTHRO Synopsis

  Bio Sci 119, M 01:25 PM-02:40 PM

• EVANTH 101D.04D, INTRO TO EVOLUTIONARY ANTHRO Synopsis

  Bio Sci 119, M 03:05 PM-04:20 PM

• EVANTH 101D.05D, INTRO TO EVOLUTIONARY ANTHRO Synopsis

  Bio Sci 119, Tu 11:45 AM-01:00 PM

• EVANTH 101D.06D, INTRO TO EVOLUTIONARY ANTHRO Synopsis

  Bio Sci 119, Tu 01:25 PM-02:40 PM

Education:

Ph.D.

Harvard University

2006

Keywords:

Exercise • Human evolution • Locomotion • Metabolism • Obesity • Public Health

Recent Publications   (More Publications)   (search)

1. Gurven, M; Trumble, B; Stieglitz, J; Cummings, D; Kaplan, H; Blackwell, AD; Yetish, G; Pontzer, H, Methodological differences cannot explain associations between health, anthropometrics, and excess resting metabolic rate., American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 169 no. 1 (May, 2019), pp. 197-198 [doi]
2. Rosinger, AY; Pontzer, H; Raichlen, DA; Wood, BM; Tanner, SN; Sands, JM, Age-related decline in urine concentration may not be universal: Comparative study from the U.S. and two small-scale societies., American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 168 no. 4 (April, 2019), pp. 705-716 [doi]  [abs]
3. Ocobock, C; Overbeck, A; Carlson, C; Royer, C; Mervenne, A; Thurber, C; Dugas, LR; Carlson, B; Pontzer, H, Sustained high levels of physical activity lead to improved performance among "Race Across the USA" athletes., American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 168 no. 4 (April, 2019), pp. 789-794, WILEY [doi]  [abs]
4. Hora, M; Pontzer, H; Sladek, V, Persistence hunting in Levant: Both Neandertals and modern humans could run down a horse, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 168 (March, 2019), pp. 107-107, WILEY
5. Kozma, EE; Pontzer, H; Sanz, C; Morgan, D, Arboreal Positional Behavior in Humans, Chimpanzees, and Gorillas, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 168 (March, 2019), pp. 131-131, WILEY