Dr Cara M. Wall-Scheffler
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Telephone: +1 608.265.2725
Fax: +1
608.265.6320
Email: cscheffler@wisc.edu
Education
PhD, Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, 2005
MPhil, Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge
BA, Biology, Anthropology, and Literature, Seattle Pacific University
Research Interests
My research seeks to better understand what makes each hominin species successful
in its particular environment, particularly through the analysis of factors
influencing energy expenditure and budgeting. Two methods have proven
especially useful in my work. In the first case, I study the adaptability of
hominin species through the ecology of energy budgets—specifically how
extinct and extant hominin species and populations adjusted to climatic changes,
moved throughout diverse geographic landscapes, and utilized seasonal resources. I
also work on developing more sophisticated models linking energetic efficiency
with locomotor morphology. To this end I am studying modern human populations
to gauge how morphologically diverse hominins could have moved across the landscape
with the least caloric usage. When research shows that a morphology may not
have been energetically advantageous for locomotion, my subsequent scholarship
works to interpret how that specific morphology could have solved other adaptive
issues. As such I am interested in placing hominins within their adaptive framework.
Current Projects
Pendular exchange of potential
and kinetic energy during walking at different speeds (Marcella
Myers)
Interaction between limb inertial
characteristics and limb dynamics during running (Marcella
Myers)
Kinematics of locomotion over
variable terrain (UW
Biomechanics)
Energetics of walking over variable
terrain (Lisa
Block)
Teaching
Currently
Fall Semester 2006 Will be lecturing in
ANTH 321, ‘Middle Palaelithic in Europe and Africa.
Previously
2002-2003 Instructor, Humans
in Biological Perspective, University of Cambridge
This year long course covered the four field approach to
biological anthropology and included introductory material
on human ecology; human and non-human primate genetics; non-human
primate ecology and behaviour; and human evolution.
2000 Teaching Assistant, Ecology,
Seattle Pacific University
This summer course covered primarily forest ecology and consisted
of leading students through ecosystem studies as well as helping
develop individual and group research projects. The
course was taught on site in an island forest in the San Juan
Islands, Washington.
1999 Teaching Assistant,
Molecular Genetics, Seattle Pacific University
My role in this course was teaching the laboratory portion
of molecular genetics which consisted of introducing techniques
of molecular genetics, supplementing the lecture series with
additional discussions, grading lab notebooks, and monitoring
and grading individual research in genetics.
