Leisa Defelice, M.A.
Doctoral candidate (ABD) 2007; MA Anthropology 2004, UCLA; BA Anthropology 2001, UCLA
Office: 348 Haines Hall
Phone: (310) 773-8167
Fax: 310-206-7833
E-mail:
darwin@ucla.edu
Subfield
Paleoanthropology
Research Interests
Fossil hominin cranial morphology and functional anatomy; Classificatory methodology; The quantification of complex biological shapes; Middle Pleistocene hominin evolution; The relationship between form and function
Notes
Dissertation in progress:
A Test of the Spatial Theory of Supraorbital Torus Formation
Masters Thesis:
A Radiographic Analysis of Middle Pleistocene Hominin Cranial Morphology: Implications for Classification and Methodology in Human Evolution
Teaching/Research positions (a partial list):
2007: Research assistant to Dr. Sherry Ortner
2006: Class reader, Sociology 119: Primate Societies.
2006: Class reader, Anthro 121C: Evolution of the genus Homo
2006: Class reader, Anthro 129Q: Paleopathology
2004-06: Anthropology tutor to the UCLA Athletic Dept.
2005: Class reader, Anthro 114P: Mesoamerican archaeology
2003: Guest lecturer, Anthropology 197K; “ER-1470 and the Competitive Exclusion Principle”
2002-06: Bibliographer to Dr. Gail Kennedy (book in progress, titled “Eve: Evolution of a Debate,” funded through a UCLA Academic Senate Grant)
2002-03: Teaching Assistant, Anthro 7 & 12
Research travel:
2005: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Dept. of Anthropology, DC: Sampling/Radiography of Pan troglodytes crania.
2003: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Dept. of Anthropology, DC: Sampling/Radiography of anatomically modern Homo sapiens crania.
Service Activities (a partial list):
2005-06 ACC (curriculum) representative to the faculty
2004-05 Treasurer, Anthropology Graduate Students Association (AGSA)
2003-04 Events Committee, AGSA
2002-03 Treasurer, AGSA
2002-03 Events committee, AGSA
2001-present DJ, UCLA Radio
Publications
In progress: Hyoid morphology and complex language production. Co-authored with Gail Kennedy, PhD and Dwight Read, PhD. Paper submitted to Nature.
In progress: Neonatal brain size and development in fossil hominins
(2005) A Radiographic Analysis of Middle Pleistocene Hominin Cranial Morphology: Implications for Classification and Methodology in Human Evolution. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 126(S40): 93.
Grants and Awards
2006: University Fellowship
2005: University Fellowship and Regents stipend
2005: Graduate Summer Research Mentorship
2003-04: Graduate Research Mentorship
2003: Dept. Research & Travel grants
2002: Graduate Summer Research Mentorship
2001-02: Graduate Student Researcher
2001-02: University Fellowship
2001-02: Regents Stipend
2001: Summa Cum Laude, UCLA
2001: Golden Key National Honor Society
2001: UCLA Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award nominee
1998: UCLA Transfer Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Advisors
Gail Kennedy
Dwight Read
Joseph Manson
Blaire Van Valkenburgh, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Conference Presentations
A Radiographic Analysis of Middle Pleistocene Hominin Cranial Morphology: Implications for Classification and Methodology in Human Evolution. American Association of Physical Anthropology Annual Conference in Milwaukee, WI. April 7, 2005.
What lies beneath? Testing the taxonomic integrity of Homo heidelbergensis using endocranial morphology. American Association of Physical Anthropology Annual Conference in Tempe, AZ. April 25, 2003.
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