Dr. John Polk’s research focuses on human locomotor biomechanics, with particular interest in relating locomotor behavior to brain size and development and skeletal morphology in humans, nonhuman primates and other mammalian model organisms. His work contributes to a better understanding of the evolution and development of human locomotor function and the neurological, skeletal, physiological, and adaptive implications of evolutionarily important changes in locomotor behavior (i.e., bipedal walking, endurance running).

Innovative Investigator Spotlight | June 2018