Anatomy and Vertebrate Paleontology Faculty & Staff

If you have any questions about the Anatomy and Vertebrate Paleontology program at OSU Center for Health Sciences, please contact one of faculty members.

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Holly Woodward Ballard, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anatomy
918-561-8263 | holly.ballard@okstate.edu

Research Interests:

• Intra-specific ontogenetic variation in growth of extinct tetrapods using large-sample paleohistology, with a focus on non-avian dinosaurs.
• Integration of osteohistology with other techniques such as micro CT and stable isotopes to interpret the paleobiology and life history of extinct tetrapods.
• Intra-skeletal histology throughout ontogeny in both extinct and extant tetrapods.
• Increasing understanding of bone tissue microstructure in extant tetrapods for use as a foundation in paleohistological interpretations.

 

Kent Smith, Ph.D., Associate Dean for the Office of American Indians in Medicine and Science, Professor of Anatomy
918-561-8246 | kent.smith@okstate.edu| Personal Website

Research Interests:

• Taxonomy, phylogeny, and biogeography of late Neogene-age mammals
• Novel anatomical variations in humans to advance surgical outcomes
• Advancing American Indians in medicine and STEM careers

 

Anne Weil, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anatomy
918-561-8266 | anne.weil@okstate.edu

Research Interests:

• Early mammalian evolution, phylogeny and biogeography of multituberculate mammals
• Terrestrial recovery after the end-Cretaceous mass extinction
• Evolutionary constraints on biotic response to extinction at large spatiotemporal scales 

 

Zachary S. Klukkert, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anatomy

918-561-5704 | zachary.klukkert@okstate.edu

Research Interests:

• Primate evolution, diet, and feeding behavior
• Functional anatomy of the jaws and teeth of mammals
• Recent (Holocene) extinctions and the effects on modern ecosystems, especially in the Caribbean and Madagascar

 

Daniel E. Barta, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anatomy

918-525-6323 | daniel.barta@okstate.edu

Research Interests:

• Understanding vertebrate growth, development, and intraspecific variation through the application of bone histology, computed tomography, and phylogenetic methods.
• The anatomy of dinosaurs (including birds), and other vertebrates from the Triassic and Permian periods.
• Amniote eggs and nesting.