Research: Anatomy
Research Faculty
The Anatomy Department at NYITCOM is a leader in anatomical research; we routinely publish impactful discoveries in Nature, Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Current Biology. Research projects are led by 9 full-time faculty, 2 part-time faculty, and postdoctoral researchers, along with the support of three research staff. Much of this research is conducted in our labs, including the Visualization Center, which is equipped with a micro-CT scanner, optical profiler for surface metrology, and Amira workstations; an embryology laboratory for in vivo experiments; and a small animal gait lab for collecting kinematic, kinetic, energetic, and EMG data. We also work in labs across campus, including the CBI (Center for Biomedical Innovation), Histology Core, and the Human Gait Lab.
Brian Beatty
Associate Professor
Brian Beatty, Ph.D., specializes in evolutionary biology, paleontology, anatomy, and paleopathology. His research focuses on …read more
Jonathan Geisler
Professor & Chair
Jonathan Geisler, Ph.D., is an expert on the evolutionary history of mammals, with particular emphasis on Cetacea (whales, dolphins…read more
Michael Granatosky
Assistant Professor
Michael Granatosky is an evolutionary biomechanist primarily interested in the origins of quadrupedal locomotion. He…read more
Simone Hoffmann
Associate Professor
Simone Hoffmann's research centers on how key mammalian features such as large brain size, a keen sense…read more
Matthew Mihlbachler
Professor & Director, Academic Medicine Scholars Program
Matthew C. Mihlbachler earned his Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences in 2005 from…read more
Julia Molnar
Associate Professor
Julia Molnar investigates the evolution of vertebrate locomotion. She uses three-dimensional virtual models of fossil and…read more
Vanessa Reddin
Associate Professor
Office: Riland, Room: 369 Old Westbury
Email: vreddin@nyit.edu
Nikos Solounias
Professor
Nikos Solounias, Ph.D., specializes in evolutionary biology, paleontology, anatomy. His research focuses on living…read more
Nathan Thompson
Associate Professor
Nathan Thompson's research focuses largely on comparative biomechanics of locomotion and the evolution of…read more
Christine Wall
Professor
Office: Old Westbury
Email: cwall@nyit.edu
Akinobu Watanabe
Associate Professor
Aki Watanabe's research seeks to answer one of the most enduring questions in biology—what drives…read more
Aquatic Vertebrate Tissues and Their Interaction with the Environment
Studies convergence in the vertebrate transition from terrestrial to aquatic (especially with Desmostylia, Sirenia, and Cetacea), with emphasis on studies of tooth wear, comparative anatomy and histology, radiological methods, and materials science.
Primary investigator: Associate Professor, Brian L. Beatty, Ph.D.
Adaptation and Evolution of the Mammalian Skull
Studies adaptations in hearing, vocalization, and respiration using both living and fossil species. To better understand the limits of mammalian adaptations, we are currently using cetacean models (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), which have colonized and thrived in extreme aquatic environments. This primary work is bolstered by our ongoing efforts to resolve the mammalian family tree with anatomical and genetic data. See additional information.
Primary investigator: Associate Professor & Chair, Jonathan Geisler, Ph.D.
Evolution of Early Mammals
Studies how key mammalian features such as a keen sense of smell, enlarged brain size, and high frequency hearing developed. Current projects focus on the description of new fossil mammals from Madagascar, the evolution of the inner ear of early mammals, and morphology and genetics of the vomeronasal organ in extant vertebrates.
Principal investigator: Associate Professor, Simone Hoffmann, Ph.D.
Comparative Ecomorphology and Evolutionary Paleoecology
Studies convergent evolution and how environmental change influences the evolution of recurring anatomical systems. Current projects include investigations into the evolution and functional morphology of limbs and joints. Also looks at dental wear to understand the role of dietary change in the evolution of mammalian dentitions.
Primary investigator: Associate Professor & Director, Matthew Mihlbachler, Ph.D.
Evolution of Ruminants
Studies the evolution of the diet and anatomy of ruminants. Projects include the evolution of the giraffe neck; the evolution of the skull; and methods of dietary interpretations.
Principal Investigator: Professor, Nikos Solounias, Ph.D.
The Evolution of Human and Primate Locomotion
Studies how biomechanical differences between human and primate locomotion are related to differences in muscle and bone morphology. The goal is to be able to identify those bony features which can be used to infer locomotion in fossil primates, including our early human ancestors.
Principal Investigator: Associate Professor, Nathan E. Thompson, Ph.D.