# Department of Human Evolutionary Biology ![Chimpanzee](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/heb.harvard.edu/files/chimpanzee-1589243_1280_0.jpg?itok=2CfQacl9) ## Welcome! In both research and teaching, Harvard's Department of Human Evolutionary Biology focuses on a fundamental question: *"How did humans evolve to be the way they are?"* HEB students and faculty are also interested in the related question: *“How are evolutionary perspectives on human biology relevant to contemporary human opportunities and challenges?”* Why do we use the lens of evolution for these questions? The simple answer is because humans weren't designed or engineered. We evolved. It follows that to understand why humans are the way we are in terms of every aspect of our biology, we need to consider that evolutionary history. Research and teaching in HEB thus encompass a diversity of fields including human and non-human primate paleontology, anatomy, physiology, behavioral ecology, genetics, cultural evolution, developmental biology, and more. As a department, we continue to be committed to using the lens of evolution to further our understanding of the human condition using both experimental and observational methods. We are also committed to using those insights to address the challenges we face. ## Our Research Groups [### The Skeletal Biology & Biomechanics Lab ](https://skeleton.hsites.harvard.edu/)Studies how and why the human body is the way it is, focusing on the musculoskeletal system. ![Lieberman Lab](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/heb.harvard.edu/files/landscape-78058_1280_0.jpg?itok=0NVPELmb) [### The Developmental and Evolutionary Genetics Lab ](https://evolutionarygenetics.hsites.harvard.edu/)Focuses on identifying the DNA changes underlying human and non-human primate biological adaptations. ![Capellini Lab](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/heb.harvard.edu/files/slide6_0.jpg?itok=GGYwoCV9) [### The Evolutionary Neuroscience Lab ](https://evolutionaryneurosciencelab.hsites.harvard.edu/)Studies brain adaptations resulting from selection pressure on behavior in humans and other species, including domestic dogs. ![hecht lab dog and model brain](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/hecht%20lab%20dog.jpg?itok=tRF9SINr) [### The Culture, Cognition, and Coevolution Lab ](https://coevolution.fas.harvard.edu/)Aims to construct an approach to culture and cultural evolution that synthesizes theory and methods from across the sciences. ![Joe's lab image](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/heb.harvard.edu/files/joes_lab.jpeg?itok=h7MdlTd0) [### The Nutritional and Microbial Ecology Lab ](https://nme.fas.harvard.edu/)Studies how humans and gut microbes interact to acquire and utilize energy. ![carmody lab scale mouse](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/upscaled-2x-upscaled-2x-carmody_chm_cover_2015.jpg?itok=0VgpufdF) [### The Pan Lab ](https://kokolopori.hsites.harvard.edu/)Studies the behavioral ecology of non-human animals to understand selective forces shaping our own evolutionary past. ![bonobo](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/heb.harvard.edu/files/nico_modified_0_0.jpg?itok=qYnfmTY9) [### The Uno Lab ](https://kevinuno.com/)Studies past changes in climate, ecosystems, and mammalian and human evolution, with a focus on their interconnectedness. ![black skulls](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/2019-04-10%2B16.16.19-2_black_skull.png?itok=pMGohz2F) [### The Song Lab ](https://janetsonglab.com/)Aims to identify and characterize the variants that contributed to human-specific traits, with a particular focus on the evolution of the human brain. ![song lab logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/share.png?itok=dylF8H-C) [### The David Reich Lab ](https://reich.hms.harvard.edu/)Building an Ancient DNA Atlas of Humanity, making ancient DNA accessible to archaeologists, and leveraging ancient DNA to understand human adaptation and population history. ![who we are dna ](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/upscaled-2x-9781101873465.jpg?itok=ewNq_5pR) [### The Kuzawa Lab ](https://heb.fas.harvard.edu/people/christopher-kuzawa)Explores developmental influences on adult biology, non-genetic forms of biological inheritance, and the evolution of the human brain, while addressing the misuse of race concepts in anthropology and beyond. ![kuzawa field work](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/Screenshot%202026-03-19%20101844.png?itok=55hfp6Yy) ## Latest News [### Evolution of human hands progressed feet-first ](/news/2026/06/evolution-human-hands-progressed-feet-first) June 03, 2026 A new study shows how natural selection for locomotion reshaped both extremities. ![Terence Capellini](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-04%20at%202.59.17%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=cYNe0MXB) [### HEB 162: Neanderthal News ](/news/2026/06/heb-162-neanderthal-news) June 02, 2026 Students in HEB lecturer Dr. Bridget Alex's spring HEB 162 class worked all semester making videos for the public about Neanderthals and other extinct humans. They collaborated with PBS producers, HMNH staff, and ~30 high school students. ![neanderthal news](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/news%20website.png?itok=xHydyZN0) [### Danielle da Cruz, 2026 Harvard Hero! ](/news/2026/05/danielle-da-cruz-2026-harvard-hero) May 21, 2026 Congratulations to Danielle da Cruz, HEB Associate Director of Finance & Research and admin extraordinaire, for being recognized as one of this year's Harvard Heroes! ![harvard hero logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/HarvardHeroes3-logo%20%281%29.jpg?itok=QQUkXfc8) [### No pill for exercise: Why GLP-1s can’t replace physical activity ](/news/2026/05/no-pill-exercise-why-glp-1s-cant-replace-physical-activity) May 07, 2026 Daniel L. Lieberman, Edwin M. Lerner II Professor of Biological Sciences and Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, explains why exercise remains potent medicine for those trying to manage their weight. ![dan lieberman with skeleton](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/11122024_Evolution_Metabolism_084%20-%20Christy%20DeSmith.jpeg?itok=_Nt0okJu) [### Your ancestors aren’t who you think they are ](/news/2026/05/your-ancestors-arent-who-you-think-they-are) May 06, 2026 From the Big Think: What if one of our oldest ideas about ancestry is simply wrong? Harvard geneticist David Reich argues that ancient DNA has exposed the myth of purity and uncovered a far messier history of who we are and where we came from. ![the well david reich](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/The-Well-David-Reich-Full-Interview-Web.jpg?itok=6oStmNHC) [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](/news) ## Meet Our Faculty [### Terence D. Capellini ](/people/terence-capellini) Chair, Department of Human Evolutionary Biology Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology ![TC](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/heb.harvard.edu/files/screen_shot_2019-01-17_at_10.17.46_am.png?itok=7T6pyCxd) [### Rachel Carmody ](/people/rachel-carmody) Thomas D. Cabot Associate Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology ![Carmody_Headshot_Peabody_Mitchell](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-03/Carmody_Headshot_Peabody_Mitchell.jpg?itok=L0R88BH-) [### Erin Hecht ](/people/erin-hecht) [erin\_hecht@fas.harvard.edu](mailto:erin_hecht@fas.harvard.edu)Associate Professor ![updated photo of Erin holding a dog in front of a model of a human brain](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/Erin%20Hecht_Photo.jpg?itok=js43e4QY) [### Joseph Henrich ](/people/joseph-henrich) Ruth Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology Co-Director of Graduate Studies ![henrich_joe headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/heb.harvard.edu/files/henrich_joe_0.jpg?itok=DMnqhPzr) [### Christopher Kuzawa ](/people/christopher-kuzawa) Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology Co-Director of Graduate Studies ![Professor Kuzawa headshot photo of him smiling wearing a blue checkered shirt sporting short hair](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-10/Kuzawa%20-%20headshot.jpg?itok=mHDv3Bg8) [### Daniel E Lieberman ](/people/daniel-e-lieberman) Edwin M. Lerner II Professor of Biological Sciences Professor, Department of Human Evolutionary Biology Director of Undergraduate Studies Affiliate, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology ![Dan Lieberman headshot 2025](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-02/Dan_informal_headshot%20copy.jpg?itok=7atajHlZ) [### David Reich ](/people/david-reich) Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology ![profile picture of faculty member Dr. David Reich wearing a blue shirt](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/David%20Reich%20SOG_3486_20_Headshot%20PD%20edit.jpg?itok=btwl4LP2) [### Janet Song ](/people/janet-song) Assistant Professor ![Professor Song headshot photo of her smiling wearing glasses, a teal cardigan, and pink undershirt; sporting medium length brown hair](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-10/Janet_Song%20%282%29.jpeg?itok=y1LKh792) [### Martin Surbeck ](/people/martin-surbeck) Associate Professor ![profile picture of Dr. Martin Surbeck with hills in the background and blue sky](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/Martin_Surbeck_photo_update_1.jpg?itok=c488K6P2) [### Kevin Uno ](/people/kevin-uno) Associate Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology and Earth and Planetary Sciences ![Kevin Uno](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/heb.harvard.edu/files/kevin_in_aberdares_2023.jpeg?itok=E-tbqwHr) ## DIB Call To Action The Department of Human Evoluitonary Biology invites you to learn more about our enduring commitment to [Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging](/diversity). ## Employment opportunities in HEB For more information regarding employment opportunities in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, [please click here](/employment).