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Rebecca Cook

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Rebecca Cook, PhD

 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0920-5427
20192025

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research Interests

Human Anatomy, Hominin Paleontology, Functional Morphology, Biomechanics, Locomotion

Area of Expertise

My research focuses on the biomechanics and functional morphology of the human pelvis using experimental methodology. This research program currently involves two distinct but interconnected topics. 1) I investigate the evolution of the hominin pelvis, specifically around the transition from the Pliocene to the Pleistocene. Using finite element analysis, I analyze the mechanical response of reconstructed hominin pelves to stimuli associated with proposed behavioral adaptations. 2) I collaborate with surgical orthopaedic oncologists to explore the functional effects of orthopaedic surgical interventions, with the overarching goal of improving the biomechanical efficiency of endoprostheses. This clinical research integrates knowledge of hominin pelvic evolution with experimental techniques like gait analysis and finite element analysis.

Techniques

Finite Element Analysis, Motion Capture, Gait Analysis, Fossil Reconstruction

Education/Academic qualification

B.A. in Anthropology & Sociology, Centre College

Ph.D. In Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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  • Bite force production and the origin of Homo

    Ledogar, J. A., Benazzi, S., Smith, A. L., Dechow, P. C., Wang, Q., Cook, R. W., Neaux, D., Ross, C. F., Grosse, I. R., Wright, B. W., Weber, G. W., Byron, C., Wroe, S. & Strait, D. S., 23 Apr 2025, In: Royal Society Open Science. 12, 4, 241879.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Morphology and evolution of the Homo naledi femora from Lesedi

    Walker, C., Cofran, Z., Grabowski, M., Marchi, D., Cook, R., Churchill, S., Tommy, K. A., Throckmorton, Z., Ross, A. H., Hawks, J., Yapuncich, G., Van Arsdale, A., Rentzeperis, F., Berger, L. R. & DeSilva, J. M., 22 Jun 2019, In: American Journal of Biological Anthropology. 170, 1, p. 5-23

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • The cranial biomechanics and feeding performance of Homo floresiensis

    Cook, R., Vazzana, A., Sorrentino, R., Benazzi, S., Smith, A., Strait, D. S. & Ledogar, J. A., 13 Aug 2021, In: Interface Focus. 11, 5

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Gait compliance alters ground reaction forces in human walking: implications for the evolution of bipedalism

    Little-Letsinger, S. E., Cook, R. W., Wilson, D., Truitt, K. & Schmitt, D., 15 May 2025, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 228, 10

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review