Compared to other primates, humans have evolved dramatic morphological modifications, including an increased brain size and an upright skeletal structure. These changes ultimately manifest in the unique behaviors that have allowed humans, more than any other species, to adapt to and modify the natural world. However, there are millions of DNA variants between humans and other primates, making it very challenging to pinpoint the exact genetic differences that underlie specific traits.

Our research aims to identify and characterize the causal genetic changes in human evolution. In particular, we study how human-specific genetic changes result in neural specializations that ultimately impact cognition, social behavior, and motor control. We are also interested in how human-specific changes to the brain impact neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases in modern humans. Our research integrates a wide range of experimental and computational approaches from diverse fields, including evolutionary biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, developmental biology, anthropology, and computer science.