Updated December 2025. You can download my complete CV here.
EDUCATION
2024
Ph.D. Biological Anthropology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Dissertation: “The Impact of Obstetrics on Cranial & Pelvic Morphological Evolution in Anthropoid Primates: An Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics Analysis”
2021
M.A. Biological Anthropology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Project: “An analysis of morphological evolution in the catarrhine appendicular skeleton using methods from quantitative genetics“
2018
B.A. Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, OR
2008
M.S. Management, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2005
B.A. Classical Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2024-present
Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Primate Evolution Lab, Department of Anthropology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
Research Associate, Buffalo Human Evolutionary Morphology Lab, Department of Anthropology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
2019-2024
Teaching Assistant, Department of Anthropology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
AWARDS & GRANTS
2025-2026
Mini Grant, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, “Fossil primate skull study at UC Museum of Paleontology collections (Berkeley, CA)” ($1962)
PILOT Project Grant Program, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, “Application of evolvability indices to primate cranio-pelvic evolution” ($5000)
2023-2026
Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant, National Science Foundation, “Selection pressures on skull and pelvis proportions at birth” (BCS 2234455, $32,087)
*Current PhD students in biological anthropology applying for a DDRIG are welcome to contact me for a copy of my funded proposal.*
2023-2024
Morris E. and Lucille Opler Dissertation Research Scholarship, Department of Anthropology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY ($7000)
2023-2024
College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Fellowship, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY ($7500)
2022-2023
Mark Diamond Research Fund, Graduate Student Association, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY ($1815)
2022
Richard Gilder Graduate School Collections Study Grant, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, NY ($500)
2022
Fall 2022 Graduate Student Conference Travel Grant, Department of Anthropology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY ($500)
2019-2024
Tuition Scholarship Fund, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
2019-2023
Presidential Fellowship, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY ($7500/year)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Hardware
Structured light scanners: HDI 120 S, Polyga S1 Compact Wide, Metron RX Macro, Artec 3D Spider
Micro CT scanner: NeoScan N80
Other: MicroScribe digitizer
Software
Imaging: FlexScan, Artec Studio, MeshLab, Slicer, Geomagic Design X, Dragonfly
Landmarking: dHal ViewBox, SlicerMorph, Checkpoint
Analytical: R, R Studio, MorphoJ
Course Management: Blackboard Learning System, D2L Learning System
Data management
Organization and maintenance of the Buffalo Human Evolutionary Morphology Lab digital scan collection (over 10,000 scans)
Organization and maintenance of WWU Primate Evolution Lab digital scan collection (in progress)
Collections management
Care and curation of skeletal specimens, specimen photography
COLLECTIONS RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
– Mammalogy Collection: July and August 2022; April 2023; August 2023; July and August 2024; March 2025
– Anthropology Collection: August 2022
Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL
– Mammalogy Collection: August 2023, February and March 2025
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
– Mammalogy Collection: November 2022, May 2023, February and March 2025
Museum Für Naturekunde, Berlin, Germany
– Mammalogy Collection: May 2023; September 2025
Neil Tappen Collection, Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
– Anthropology Collection: August 2023
Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
–Mammalogy Collection: June 2023; September 2025
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
– Mammalogy Collection: June 2023
Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut Mammalogie, Frankfurt, Germany
– Mammalogy Collection: August 2025
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
– Mammalogy Collection: February and March 2023; August and September 2024
Zoologische Staatssammlung München, Munich, Germany
– Mammalogy Collection: June 2023
Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
– Anthropology Collection: August 2025
RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
2016-2019
Museum Educator, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, OR
2013-2016
Volunteer Coordinator, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, OR
2010-2011
Grant Specialist, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2009-2010
Grant Resource Specialist & Proposal Process Coordinator, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2008-2009
Education Assistant, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
MARIANNE J. COOPER, Ph.D. 