Professor Dr. Katerina Semendeferi

Biography

Katerina Semendeferi is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, San Diego, and the Director of the Laboratory for Human Comparative Neuroanatomy. She completed her postgraduate training in Biological Anthropology and Neurosciences at the University of Iowa. Her research focuses on understanding the evolution of the human brain through comparative studies of brain structure and function in great apes and humans. Semendeferi has pioneered non-invasive approaches to study neuroanatomy, revealing insights into the similarities and differences between human and ape brains. She has made significant contributions to understanding the links between brain organization and various neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism and Williams Syndrome. Her work involves collaborations with institutions such as the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank and the Yerkes Primate Research Center, and she has been instrumental in creating large datasets from postmortem brain tissue. She is dedicated to mentoring students and has received the Faculty Outstanding Mentor Award from Marshall College. Semendeferi's research has received recognition through numerous publications and her elected fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Research Interests

Courses