Amanda L. Smith
CONTACT INFORMATION
Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy
The University of Chicago
(518) 505-7564 amandalsmith@uchicago.edu
EDUCATION
2015 Ph.D. State University of New York at Albany, Anthropology
2007 M.A. State University of New York at Albany, Anthropology
2005 B.A. State University of New York at New Paltz, Anthropology
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
2019 – present Anatomy Instructor, The University of Chicago
2017 – present Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago
2015 – 2017 Postdoctoral Research Associate,
Washington University in St. Louis
TEACHING & ADVISING
Anatomy Instructor, University of Chicago 2019-present
The Human Body Course, Pritzker School of Medicine
- Guide 90 first-year medical students through dissections in lab
- Re-write and maintain dissector
- Deliver all of the lecture material on the lower limb
- Organize, proctor and grade practical examinations, including medical imaging and osteology
- Managed lab including cadavers, technology, prosection demonstrations, Peer Educators, lab inventory and safety
Anatomy & Physiology Adjunct Instructor, SUNY at Albany 2015
Anatomy & Physiology I, Human Biology Program
- Coordinated and taught systems-based course for 30 pre-health majors using lectures and online material, including videos
- Developed and led lab and classroom activities, including oral presentations based on student research.
- Wrote and graded exams, projects, laboratory exercises and quizzes.
- Material covered: Basic concepts in A & P, Integumentary system, Musculoskeletal system, and Nervous system, including the special senses.
Anatomy & Physiology Adjunct Instructor, SUNY at Albany 2015
Anatomy & Physiology II, Human Biology Program
- Coordinated and taught course using lectures, online material, including videos
- Developed and led lab and classroom activities, including oral presentations based on student research.
- Wrote and graded exams, projects, laboratory exercises and quizzes.
- Systems covered: Digestive, Endocrine, Immune, Respiratory, Circulatory, Urinary, and Reproductive
Transfer Student Advisor, SUNY at Albany 2013
Human Biology Program
- Introduced incoming students to the Human Biology Major and helped them sketch out their academic plan. This included evaluating their transfer credits and suggesting an appropriate schedule of courses to help them meet graduation requirements in a timely manner.
- Served as liaison between students and faculty in different departments, so that they could enroll in interesting and relevant courses,
- Advised students on planning future career directions (such as applying to medical school) and offered strategies for success.
Biological Anthropology Adjunct Instructor, SUNY at Albany 2012
Introduction to Human Evolution, Department of Anthropology
- Introduced students to concepts in evolution with a focus on human evolution in particular.
- Provided a foundation for subsequent classes in biological anthropology.
- Taught using a combination of large lectures (~200 students) and small labs, incorporated some digital resources
- Managed and supervised Teaching Assistants, who ran lab activities
- Topics covered included the history of evolutionary biology, human osteology, primatology, functional anatomy, and the human fossil record.
- Wrote and graded exams, and modified lab exercises.
Biological Anthropology Teaching Assistant, SUNY at Albany 2009
Functional Anatomy of the Human Skeleton, Department of Anthropology
- Assisted with class and lab set-up, grading and tutoring and student study groups.
- Topics covered: the anatomy of the functional systems of the human body, with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, including the peripheral nervous system, respiration, circulation, the gastro-intestinal system and mastication, the urogenital system, reproduction, locomotion, vocalization, and the auditory, vocalization and olfactory systems, and selected topics in human embryology.
Biological Anthropology Teaching Assistant, SUNY at Albany 2005 – 2009
Introduction to Human Evolution, Department of Anthropology
- Ran lab exercises for two sessions of 25 students (each)
- Graded labs and term paper
- Held office hours and study sessions to help students understand material
AWARDS & HONORS
2007 – 2008 Marie Curie Palaeo Fellowship, Hull York Medical School
FUNDING & FELLOWSHIPS
2009 – 2013 Graduate Research Assistantship in Anthrology
SUNY at Albany
2005 – 2009 Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Anthropology
SUNY at Albany
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Association of Physical Anthropologists
American Association for Anatomy
American Anthropological Association
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Society for Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology
International Society of Vertebrate Morphology
Paleoanthropology Society
ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
2020 J. M. Martin, A. B. Leece, S. Neubauer, S. E. Baker, C. Mongle, G. Boschian, G. T. Schwartz, A. L. Smith, J. Ledogar, D. S. Strait, A. I. R. Herries. Drimolen cranium DNH 155 documents microevolution in an early hominin species. Nat. Ecol. Evol. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01319-6
2017 J. A. Ledogar, S. Benazzi, A. L. Smith, G. W. Weber, K. B. Carlson, P. C. Dechow, I. R. Grosse, C. F. Ross, B. G. Richmond, B. W. Wright, Q. Wang, C. Byron, K. J. Carlson, D. J. De Ruiter, L. C. Pryor Mcintosh, D. S. Strait. The biomechanics of bony facial “buttresses” in South African australopiths: an experimental study using finite element analysis. Anat. Rec.
2016A.L. Smith, I.R. Grosse. The biomechanics of zygomatic arch shape. Anat. Rec.
2016 P. Gharpure, E.D. Kontogiorgos, L.A. Opperman, C. F. Ross, D.S. Strait, A. Smith, L.C.. Pryor, Q. Wang, P.C. Dechow. Elastic properties of Chimpanzee craniofacial cortical bone. Anat. Rec.
2016 J.A. Ledogar, S. Benazzi, A.L. Smith, G.W. Weber, K.B. Carlson, P.Dechow, I.R. Grosse, C.F. Ross, B.G. Richmond, B.W. Wright, Q.Wang, C.Byron, K.J. Carlson, D.J. de Ruiter, L.C. Pryor, D.S. Strait. The biomechanics of bony facial “buttresses” in South African australopiths: an experimental study using finite element analysis. Anat. Rec.
2016 J.A. Ledogar, P.C. Dechow, Q. Wang, PH. Gharpure, A.D. Gordon, K.L. Baab,A.L. Smith, G. W. Weber, I. R. Grosse, C. F. Ross, B. G. Richmond, B. W. Wright, C. Byron, S. Wroe, D. S. Strait. Human feeding biomechanics: performance, variation, and functional constraints. PeerJ
2016 L. Pryor-McIntosh, D.S. Strait, J. Ledogar, A.L. Smith, C.F. Ross, Q. Wang, L.A. Opperman, P.C. Dechow. Internal bone architecture in the zygoma of human and Pan. Anat Rec.
2016 F. Prado, A. Freire, A.C. Rossi, J. Ledogar, A. Smith, P. Dechow, D. Strait, T. Voigt C. Ross. Review of in vivo bone strain studies and finite element models of the zygoatic complex in humans and non-human primates: Implications for clinical research and practice. Anat. Rec.
2016 J. A. Ledogar, A. L. Smith, S. Benazzi, G. W. Weber, M. A. Spencer, K. B. Carlson, K. P. McNulty, P. C. Dechow, I. R. Grosse, C. F. Ross, B. G. Richmond, B. W. Wright, Q. Wang, C. Byron, K. J. Carlson, D. J. de Ruiter, L. R. Berger, K. Tamvada, L. C. Pryor, M. A. Berthaume, D. S. Strait. Mechanical evidence that Australopithecus sediba was limited in its ability to eat hard foods. Nature Comm. 7: 10596.
2015A. L. Smith, S. Benazzi, J. A. Ledogar, K. Tamvada, L. C. Pryor Smith, G. W. Weber, M. A. Spencer, P. C. Dechow, I. R. Grosse, C. F. Ross, B. G. Richmond, B. W. Wright, Q. Wang, C. Byron, D. E. Slice, D. S. Strait. Biomechanical implications of intraspecific shape variation chimpanzee crania: moving towards an integration of geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis. Anat. Rec. 298:122-144.
2015A. L. Smith, S. Benazzi, J. A. Ledogar, K. Tamvada, L. C. Pryor Smith, G. W. Weber, M. A. Spencer, P. W. Lucas, S. Michael, A. Shekeban, K. Al-Fadhalah, A. S. Almusallam, P. C. Dechow, I. R. Grosse, C. F. Ross, R. H. Madden, B. G. Richmond, B. W. Wright, Q. Wang, C. Byron, D. E. Slice, S. Wood, C. Dzialo, M. Berthaume, A. van Castern, D. S. Strait. The feeding biomechanics and dietary ecology of Paranthropus boisei. Anat. Rec.298:145-167.
2014 C. Dzialo, S. A. Wood, M. Berthaume, A. Smith, E. R. Dumont, S. Benazzi, G. W. Weber, S. S. Strait, I. R. Grosse. Functional implications of squamosal suture size in Paranthropus boisei. AJPA.153(2):260-268.
2013 D. S. Strait, P. Constantino, P. W. Lucas, B. G. Richmond, M. A. Spencer, P. C. Dechow, C. F. Ross, I. R. Grosse, B. W. Wright, B. A. Wood, G. W. Weber, Q. Wang, C. Byron, D. E. Slice, J. Chalk, A. L. Smith, L. C. Smith, S. Wood, M. Berthahume, S. Benazzi, C. Dzialo, K. Tamvada, J. A. Ledogar. Viewpoints: diet and Dietary Adaptations in early hominins: The hard food perspective. AJPA. 151:339-355.
2011 M. Nakashige, A. L. Smith, D. S. Strait. Biomechanics of the macaque postorbital septum investigated using finite element analysis: implications for anthropoid evolution. J. Anat. 218 (1): 142 – 150.
2010 Q. Wang, A. L. Smith, D. S. Strait, B. W. Wright, B. G. Richmond, I. R. Grosse, C. D. Byron, U. Zapata. The global impact of sutures assessed in a finite element model of a macaque cranium. Anat. Rec. 293: 1477 – 1491.
2010 Q. Wang, B. W. Wright, A. L. Smith, J. Chalk, C. D. Byron. Mechanical impact of incisor loading on the primate midfacial skeleton and its relevance to human evolution. Anat. Rec. 293: 607 – 617.
2010 D. S. Strait, I. R. Grosse, P. C. Dechow, A. L. Smith, Q. Wang, G. W. Weber, S. Neubauer, D. E. Slice, J. Chalk, B. G. Richmond, P. W. Lucas, M. A. Spencer, C. Schrein, B. W. Wright, C. Byron, C. F. Ross. The structural rigidity of the cranium of Australopithecus africanus: implications for diet, dietary adaptations and the allometry of feeding biomechanics. Anat. Rec. 293: 583 – 593.
2009 D. S. Strait, G. W. Weber, S. Neubauer, J. Chalk, B. G. Richmond, P. W. Lucas, M. A. Spencer, C. Schrein, P. C. Dechow, C. F. Ross, I. R. Grosse, B. W. Wright, P. Constantino, B. A. Wood, B. Lawn, W. L. Hylander, Q. Wang, C. Byron, D. E. Slice, A. L. Smith. The feeding biomechanics and dietary ecology of Australopithecus africanus. PNAS. 106: 2124 – 212
COURSES TAUGHT
Anatomy & Physiology I, SUNY at Albany
Anatomy & Physiology II, SUNY at Albany
Introduction to Human Evolution, SUNY at Albany
Human Functional Anatomy, SUNY at Albany (TA)
ADVISING EXPERIENCE
Human Biology Transfer Student Advisor, SUNY at Albany
FIELD EXPERIENCE
2016 Arma Veirana, Liguria, Italy
2016 Drimolen, Cradle of Humankind, Gautang, South Africa
2007 Archeological Field Tech
Mohawk-Hudson Archeological Consultants, Troy, NY
2005 Wilderness Archeology Intern, Yosemite National Park, CA
2004 Wilderness Archeology Intern, Yosemite National Park, CA
2004 Archeological Field Tech
Hartgen Archeological Associates, Albany, NY
2004 Archeological Field Tech
J.R. Cohen Archeological Consultants, New Paltz, NY
2004 Archeology Intern, Office of Parks
Recreation and Historic Preservation, Peebles Island, NY
2003 – 2005 Archeological Technician
CITY/SCAPE Archaeological Consultants
REFERENCES
Callum F. Ross
Dept. of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago
rossc@uchicago.edu
(773) 834-7858
Zeresenay Alembeged
Dept. of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago
alemseged@uchicago.edu
(773) 834-0952
David S. Strait,
Dept. of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis
dstrait@wustl.edu
(314) 935-7898
Amanda L. Smith 