Biological Anthropology as a whole represents the more scientific end of anthropology, devoted to the study of biological history, evolutionary relationships, and diversity that characterizes the human species.
Many students studying Biological Anthropology at UTK are interested in specific topics covered by Biological Anthropology, such as Human Evolution, Bioarchaeology/Skeletal Biology, Forensic Anthropology, and Human Genetics.
Biological Anthropology at UT
At the University of Tennessee, students and faculty in Biological Anthropology engage in diverse research projects that share the common goal of advancing biocultural understanding of humans and are unified by their rooting in evolutionary theory.
We conduct research on 1) skeletal biology; 2) human biology and genetics; 3) paleoanthropology; and 3) forensic anthropology at field sites around the globe and in state-of-the-art laboratories on campus.
UTK’s Biological Anthropology lab spaces are devoted to Skeletal Biology, Evolutionary Engineering (at the Hominoid Evolutionary Engineering Lab, or HEEL), to Molecular Anthropology (at the Molecular Anthropology Laboratories), and to Forensic Anthropology (at the FAC).
State-of-the-Art Research Laboratories and Collections
Faculty
Graciela S. Cabana
Associate Professor & Director, Molecular Anthropology Laboratories; Director of Graduate Studies
Biological Anthropology
Joanne Devlin
Associate Director, FAC; Distinguished Lecturer; Adjunct Assistant Professor
Biological Anthropology
Giovanna Vidoli
Research Associate Professor; Associate Director, FAC
Biological Anthropology
Dawnie Wolfe Steadman
Professor; Director, Forensic Anthropology Center
Biological Anthropology
Projects
- Community DNA Project in the U.S. Mountain South
- Genetic Ancestry, Race, and National Belonging in Argentina