Nicholas Lab

The Nicholas Lab researches factors, both genetic and environmental, which influence  craniofacial growth and development. We have ongoing research investigating the impact of childhood obesity on dental development and craniofacial growth, variation in craniofacial growth in children with cleft, and the influence of genes (e.g., GHR, EDAR) on mandibular growth.

Our methodological expertise is in deep phenotyping, using methods such as geometric morphometrics to study complex shape. We work extensively with 3D data such as CT scans and 3D models, using software such as 3D Slicer, ImageJ, and R. 

The Nicholas Lab is also involved in research into the evolution of craniofacial growth and applications of craniofacial morphological data to forensic anthropology.