Zachary Throckmorton
Zach Throckmorton studies the natural history of one of the oddest creatures produced by evolutionary processes, Homo sapiens. He utilizes an integrative approach, applying principles and insights from evolutionary, ecological, and computer science to biological anthropology. He has done lab work in molecular anthropology, fieldwork in North American primate paleontology, and assisted with forensic anthropology casework. These activities reflect his interests in genetics, fossils, & the nature of human biological variation.
Zach’s research topics have included the emergence of hominins as an ecologically ‘abnormal’ or disruptive taxon, and more recently, parasite host switching as a means of inferring ancient hominin behavior. He is the developer of the Paleoanthropology Database, the first general, publicly accessible web-based database for use by researchers and students of human evolution.
A first year PhD student working with Dr. John Hawks, he is extremely excited to be at the University of Wisconsin, Madison! Zach received his Bachelor of Science (in Anthropology-Zoology) from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2004 and his Master of Science (in Human Biology) from the University of Indianapolis in 2007.
