About Me

I am an evolutionary anatomist with training in archaeology, palaeoanthropology and functional anatomy. I am currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow at Anglia Ruskin University, examining vocal tract evolution in primates. I am also a visiting researcher at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, where I help to maintain the Harrison mammalian larynx collection.

My work can be split into 3 main areas: Anatomical research; 3d imaging; archaeological investigation.

I am currently affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life at the University of Manchester. I also work as a freelance consultant specialising in 3D imaging for comparative anatomy and cultural heritage, including advising on capacity building. For further details of these services, please contact me here

My PhD was entitled "The application of conventional and novel morphometric techniques to problems in human evolution and ontogeny". This consists of a series of linked papers on this theme. All apart from one involve 3D imaging and two of them involve rapid prototyping. The papers forming this thesis are currently in the process of peer review or revision, although two have already been published (see publications page).

My MSc project introduced me to the potential of 3D imaging for research and outreach. My current research involves this extensively, and I conducted the first 3D scanning and printing of a perinatal modern human fossil (Wilczyce 10). I have also conducted a full body reconstruction of the iconic hominin AL288-1 or "Lucy", as part of a project which estimated a new body mass estimate (published in the Journal of Human Evolution). The models supporting this publication are available for download here.

I was responsible for the commissioning of 3-dimensional imaging facilities at the University of Sheffield (Glover Laboratory for Digital Osteology) and the University of Manchester (KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, Anatomy department) and also act in an advisory capacity on the facilities at the Turkana Basin Institute, Kenya. I currently train individuals in these analytical techniques at both the University of Manchester and TBI. I am available for consultation on this form of capacity building.

I have contributed towards the online digital archive NESPOS, and currently, work on the open access site Africanfossils.org. I also assisted with 3d reconstructions for the award-winning exhibition "Gifts for the Gods: Animal Mummies Revealed" and advised on a temporary exhibit on Neanderthals at Manchester Museum.

I have extensive experience in the acquisition of surface data of osteological and archaeological material, as well as experience in acquisition of microtomographic data of osteological, archaeological, mummified and modern soft tissue samples. I also have in depth understanding of both FDM and stereolithographic forms of 3D printing, having worked in industry as a product manager for 3D printers.

I originally trained as an archaeologist and have extensive experience in both commercial and research excavations in the UK and abroad. Notably, this includes the excavations at the Middle Palaeolithic site of Cueva Antón, where in-situ artefacts that provide evidence for Neanderthal symbolic behaviour, have been recovered.

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