Dr. David Raichlen

Biography

David Raichlen is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at USC Dornsife. He earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004, following an M.A. in 2000 and a B.S. in Biological Anthropology Anatomy from Duke University in 1998. Raichlen's research interests revolve around understanding the unique evolutionary history of humans and how it informs modern human physiological variation. He believes that a transition to a lifestyle with high levels of physical activity, akin to that of hunting and gathering societies, is essential for maintaining health across organ systems including the brain, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system. His work explores the connections between human evolution, physical activity, and health throughout the lifespan, and he emphasizes how this perspective can play a significant role in preventing and managing diseases that arise in later life. Raichlen's research program includes reconstructing activity levels in human evolution, examining the energetics of physical activity in existing taxa and modern hunter-gatherers, and linking evolution with high physical activity levels to physiology and neurobiology in contemporary humans. Together, these components contribute to a holistic understanding of how increased aerobic activity has influenced the trajectory of human evolution.

Research Interests

Experience