Robert A. Walker, Ph.D.

Anthropological Research

RESEARCH INTERESTS AND GOALS:

My primary research interests are in the interactions of human and primate functional morphology, skeletal biomechanics, and the histomorphometrics of cortical bone. The focus of my research falls into two broad categories. First, I am particularly interested in the effects of age on skeletal homeostasis, and the application of age--, racial--, and gender-- specific changes in bone micro- and macrostructure, and their applications to forensic age, sex, and racial identification of human skeletal remains. Second, I am involved in research on basic patterns of remodeling in the mammalian skeleton, and have established a calcified tissue microscopy laboratory within the New York Chiropractic College Anatomy Department. Current research carried out in this laboratory focuses upon the mechanisms affecting patterns of remodeling seen in cortical bone histormorphology and histomorphometry. The elucidation of these factors has applications related to human health and well-being, to human health care education, and to the forensic and archeological applications of skeletal biology.