I am interested in human evolution in general, and specifically in the events surrounding the origin and diversification of early hominins in the Mio-Pliocene and how these processes were shaped by underlying environmental and ecological factors. The big questions my research seeks to explore concern the evolutionary history of the earliest human ancestors subsequent to the human-ape split about 7 million years ago. I attempt to discern phylogenetic relationships and patterns of species diversity among early hominins by deciphering their anatomical, behavioral, locomotor, and dietary adaptations. Yet, the paleobiology of these early hominins cannot be fully understood without comprehending the paleoenvironmental and paleoecological context within which these evolutionary processes took place. Hence the need to understand their biotic and abiotic environments by studying the associated fauna, which is another important aspect of my research. I am also interested in the evolutionary history of the non-human primates (cercopithecidae) that are often encountered in Plio-Pleistocene hominin sites.
To accomplish these goals I undertake the following:
Fieldwork: Discovery of hominin and nonhuman fossils by leading an international and multidisciplinary field project at Plio-Pleistocene sites;
Laboratory work: Preparation, curation, and analysis of original extant and fossil primates, including hominin remains, at various museums around the world;
Analytical work: Application of recent imaging and visualization techniques to investigate internal and external fossil anatomies;
Faunal study: Fossil faunal analysis to explore environmental and ecological factors affecting human and primate evolution.
Check out Zeray's Ted talk entitled "The Search for Humanity's Roots."
http://www.ted.com/talks/zeresenay_alemseged_looks_for_humanity_s_roots
University of Paris VI and National Museum of Natural History
Paris, France
PH.D - Paleoanthropology
1998
University of Montpellier II
Montpellier, France
M.SC - PALEONTOLOGY
1994
Cavilam de Vichy International School of Language
Vichy, France
DIP - FRENCH
1993
Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
B.SC - GEOLOGY
1990
Reappraising the palaeobiology of Australopithecus.
Reappraising the palaeobiology of Australopithecus. Nature. 2023 05; 617(7959):45-54.
PMID: 37138108
Comparative biomechanics of the Pan and Macaca mandibles during mastication: finite element modelling of loading, deformation and strain regimes.
Comparative biomechanics of the Pan and Macaca mandibles during mastication: finite element modelling of loading, deformation and strain regimes. Interface Focus. 2021 Oct 06; 11(5):20210031.
PMID: 34938438
On fossil recovery potential in the Australopithecus anamensis-Australopithecus afarensis lineage: A reply to.
On fossil recovery potential in the Australopithecus anamensis-Australopithecus afarensis lineage: A reply to. J Hum Evol. 2021 08; 157:103025.
PMID: 34139622
Accessory cusp expression at the enamel-dentine junction of hominin mandibular molars.
Accessory cusp expression at the enamel-dentine junction of hominin mandibular molars. PeerJ. 2021; 9:e11415.
PMID: 34055484
Dietary trends in herbivores from the Shungura Formation, southwestern Ethiopia.
Dietary trends in herbivores from the Shungura Formation, southwestern Ethiopia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 09 08; 117(36):21921-21927.
PMID: 32839326
Isotopic evidence for the timing of the dietary shift toward C4 foods in eastern African Paranthropus.
Isotopic evidence for the timing of the dietary shift toward C4 foods in eastern African Paranthropus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 09 08; 117(36):21978-21984.
PMID: 32839330
Fossils from Mille-Logya, Afar, Ethiopia, elucidate the link between Pliocene environmental changes and Homo origins.
Fossils from Mille-Logya, Afar, Ethiopia, elucidate the link between Pliocene environmental changes and Homo origins. Nat Commun. 2020 05 19; 11(1):2480.
PMID: 32427848
Australopithecus afarensis endocasts suggest ape-like brain organization and prolonged brain growth.
Australopithecus afarensis endocasts suggest ape-like brain organization and prolonged brain growth. Sci Adv. 2020 04; 6(14):eaaz4729.
PMID: 32270044
Maxillary molar enamel thickness of Plio-Pleistocene hominins.
Maxillary molar enamel thickness of Plio-Pleistocene hominins. J Hum Evol. 2020 05; 142:102731.
PMID: 32199299
Statistical estimates of hominin origination and extinction dates: A case study examining the Australopithecus anamensis-afarensis lineage.
Statistical estimates of hominin origination and extinction dates: A case study examining the Australopithecus anamensis-afarensis lineage. J Hum Evol. 2020 01; 138:102688.
PMID: 31759257
Donald N. Pritzker Professorship
THE UNIVERSITY of CHICAGO
2018
EXPERT
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
2014
FELLOW
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION for the ADVANCEMENT of SCIENCE
2013
fellow
California Academy of Sciences
2011
Emerging Explorer
National Geographic Society
2004
Full Scholarship
Centre National des Oeuvres Universitaires
1993 - 1998