The Smith Evolutionary Anatomy Lab at Fairfield University explores how evolution shapes the remarkable sensory systems that allow vertebrates to move, perceive, and communicate. We study the interplay of structural constraints, developmental processes, and adaptive pressures that influence the form and function of these systems, and how they ultimately shape human perception and behavior.

Our current projects focus on the inner ear and vocal anatomy of primates and cetaceans, investigating how these structures evolved for balance, hearing, and communication in dramatically different contexts. Using 3D imaging, digital reconstruction, phylogenetic analyses, and fossil evidence, we uncover the evolutionary innovations that underlie key aspects of locomotion, spatial awareness, and acoustic communication.