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William Kimbel

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Institute of Human Origins
Director and Virginia M. Ullman Professor of Natural History and the Environment
Faculty w/Admin Appointment, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 4101
School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Virginia M Ullman Professor of Natural History and the Environment and Director, Institute of Human Origins
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 4101
Center for Evolution & Medicine Affiliated Faculty
Center Dir & Professor
Faculty w/Admin Appointment, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 4101
Biography: 

Kimbel is director of the Institute of Human Origins. He conducts field, laboratory and theoretical research in paleoanthropology, with a primary focus on Plio-Pleistocene hominid evolution in Africa. He has undertaken field and/or laboratory research in Ethiopia (Hadar) and Tanzania (Olduvai Gorge), as well as in Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia. He also has research interests in Late Pleistocene hominid evolution and has collaborated with Israeli colleagues in excavations in the Middle Paleolithic Neandertal-bearing cave of Amud.

On the theoretical side, Kimbel is interested in the application of evolutionary and systematic theory to paleoanthropological problems. He served as joint editor of the Journal of Human Evolution from 2003 to 2008.

CV
Binary Data Curriculum Vitae
Education: 

Ph.D. Kent State University

Publications: 
  • Kimbel, W.H., Suwa, G., Asfaw, B., Rak, Y., and White, T.D. Ardipithecus ramidus and the evolution of the human cranial base. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (2014).
  • Delezene L, Zolnierz M, Teaford M, Kimbel WH, Grine, F and Ungar P. Premolar microwear and tooth use in Australopithecus afarensis. Journal of Human Evolution (2013).
  • Sponheimer M, Alemseged Z, Cerling T, Grine F, Kimbel W, Leakey M, Lee-Thorp J F Manthi, F, Reed K, Wood B, Wynn J. Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets: past, present and future. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (2013).
  • Terhune CE, Kimbel WH and Lockwood CA. Postnatal temporal bone ontogeny in Pan, Gorilla, and Homo, and the implications for temporal bone ontogeny in Australopithecus afarensis. Amer j Phys Anthrop (2013).
  • Wynn, J, Sponheimer M, Kimbel W, Alemseged Z, Reed K, Bedaso Z, Norman J. Diet of Australopithecus afarensis from the Pliocene Hadar Formation, Ethiopia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (2013).
  • Kimbel WH. Hesitation on hominin history. (2013).
  • Ward, CV, Kimbel, WH, Harmon, EH, Johanson, DC. New postcranial fossils of Australopithecus afarensis from Hadar, Ethiopia (1990-2007). Journal of Human Evolution (2012).
  • Delezene, L. and Kimbel, W.H. The evolution of the lower third premolar in early Australopithecus. J Human Evolution (2011).
  • Villmoare, B. and Kimbel, W.H. CT-based study of internal structure of the anterior pillar in extinct hominins and its implications for the phylogeny of robust Australopithecus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (2011).
  • Ward, CV, Kimbel, WH, Johanson DC. Complete fourth metatarsal and arches in the foot of Australopithecus afarensis. Science (2011).
  • Kimbel, W., J. Newland, J. Russ. IHO: 30 Years of Research and Discovery. (2011).
  • Kimbel, W and Rak, Y. The cranial base of Australopithecus afarensis: new insights from the female skull. Transactions of the Royal Society Series B (2010).
  • Kimbel, W. and Delezene L. "Lucy" redux: A review of research on Australopithecus afarensis. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology (2009).
  • William H. Kimbel. The Origin of the Genus Homo. The First Humans: Origins of the Genus Homo (2009).
  • C Terhune, William Kimbel, C Lockwood. Variation and Diversity in Homo erectus: A 3D Geometric Morphometric Analysis of the Temporal Bone. Journal of Human Evolution (2007).
  • Kimbel, William Howard (Author) . The species and diversity of australopiths. Handbook of Paleoanthropology (2007).
  • William Kimbel, C Lockwood, C Ward, M Leakey, Y Rak, D Johanson. Was Australopithecus anamensis ancestral to A. afarensis? A case of anagenesis in the hominin fossil record. Journal of Human Evolution (2006).
  • C Lockwood, William Kimbel, J Lynch. Variation in early hominin temporal bone morphology and its implications for species diversity. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr (2005).
  • M Drapeau, C Ward, William Kimbel, D Johanson, Y Rak. Associated cranial and forelimb remains attributed to Australopithecus afarensis from Hadar, Ethiopia. Journal of Human Evolution (2005).
  • M Plavcan, C Lockwood, William Kimbel, M Lague, E Harmon. Sexual dimorphism in Australopithecus afarensis revisited: how strong is the case for a human-like pattern of dimorphism?. Journal of Human Evolution (2005).
  • Z Alemseged, J Wynn, William Kimbel, D Reed, D Geraads, R Bobe. First hominin from the Basal Member of the Hadar Formation, Dikika, Ethiopia. Journal of Human Evolution (2005).
  • . . Review of: The Human Fossil Record, Vol. 3. Endocasts: The Paleoneurological Evidence (2005).
  • Kimbel, William Howard (Author) . The Human Species on the Treee of Life. Evolutionary Science and Society: Educating a New Generation (2005).
  • C Lockwood, William Kimbel, J Lynch. Morphometrics and hominoid phylogeny: support for a chimp-human clade and differentiation among great ape subspecies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2004).
  • C Lockwood, William Kimbel, J Lynch. Phylogenetic analysis of extant hominoids using temporal bone morphometrics. American Journal of Physical Anthropology (2004).
  • Kimbel, William Howard, Rak, Y, Johanson, D C. The Skull of Australopithecus afarensis. (2004).
  • . . Review of: Lowly Origin: When, Where and Why Our Ancestors First Stood Up (2004).
  • C Lockwood, William Kimbel, J Lynch. Morphological differentiation among grat ape subspecies as indicated by geometric morphometric analysis of temporal bones. American Journal of Physical Anthropology (2003).
  • C Ward, C Lockwood, William Kimbel, M Leakey, D Johanson, Y Rak. Was Australopithecus anamensis ancestral to A. afarensis?. American Journal of Physical Anthropology (2003).
  • William Kimbel, Y Rak, D Johanson. A new hominin skull from hadar: implications for cranial sexual dimorphism in Australopithecus afarensis. American Journal of Physical Anthropology (2003).
Research Activity: 
Spring 2021
Course NumberCourse Title
ASM 344Fossil Hominids
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASM 530Paleoanthropology
ASB 584Internship
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Fall 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Summer 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
ASM 344Fossil Hominids
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASB 584Internship
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
ASM 344Fossil Hominids
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASM 591Seminar
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
ASM 344Fossil Hominids
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
ASM 799Dissertation
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
ASM 344Fossil Hominids
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASB 592Research
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASB 792Research
ASB 799Dissertation
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
ASB 484Internship
ASB 492Honors Directed Study
ASB 493Honors Thesis
ASB 499Individualized Instruction
ASM 530Paleoanthropology
ASM 590Reading and Conference
ASB 590Reading and Conference
ASM 592Research
ASB 592Research
ASM 790Reading and Conference
ASB 790Reading and Conference
ASM 792Research
ASB 792Research
ASM 799Dissertation
ASB 799Dissertation
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
ASM 799Dissertation
Presentations: 
  • Glowacka, H., Schwartz, G. and Kimbel, W. The role of canine reduction in diagnosing the earliest hominins: lessons from a Miocene ape. Annual Meeting of the AAPA (Apr 2102).
  • Kimbel WH. Ardipithecus ramidus and human evolution. Boston University Dialogues in Anthropology (Dec 2013).
  • Kimbel W, Suwa G, Asfaw B, Rak Y, and White T. Ardipithecus ramidus and the evolution of the human cranial base. Annual Meeting of AAPA (Apr 2013).
  • Kimbel, W.H. untitled. Symposium, Institute for Humanities Research, ASU (Apr 2011).
  • Grimmett, P., Oldak, A., Copes, L., Kimbel, W. Testing the scaling relationship of tooth size and jaw size in three hominin species: are hominins "good" species?. annual meetings of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (Apr 2010).
  • Kimbel, W.H. and Rak, Y. The cranial base of Australopithecus afarensis: new insights from the female skull. Discussion Meeting of the Royal Society: "The First Four Million Years of Human Evolution," London (Oct 2009).
  • Kimbel, William. What is the Origins of Human Uniqueness?. ASU Origins Symposium (Apr 2009).
  • Kimbel, W.H., Reed, K.E., Campisano, C.J., and Hovers, E. The future of Ethiopia’s past: results from the Hadar Field School (2007). Annual Meeting of the Paleoanthropology Society (Apr 2009).
  • Kimbel, William. Australopithecus in human evolution. Special Session on "Origins of the Human Species", AAAS annual meeting (Apr 2009).
  • Kimbel, William. What do we know about the origin of Homo?. "Darwin's Legacy: Early Human Evolution in Africa," New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (Feb 2009).
  • Kimbel, William. The diversity of australopiths. Stony Brook Unversity Symposium on Human Evolution (Sep 2007).
  • Kimbel, William. The Origins of Homo. Stony Brook University Symposium on Human Evolution (Sep 2006).
  • Kimbel, William. Pattern and Process in Australopith Evolution: Case Studies from the East African Pliocene. African Genesis: A Symposium on Human Evolution in Africa (Jan 2006).
  • Kimbel, William. After Lucy: The Hadar Hominids in Human Evolution. Leverhulme Lecture, UCL (Oct 2005).
  • Kimbel, William. Evolving Views of Earliest Human Evolution in Africa. Fossil Fragments: The Riddle of Human Origins, Yale University, Peabody Museum
  • Kimbel, William. Lucy Redux: What the African Fossil Record Means for Early Human Evolution. Sigma Xi ASU Chapter
Service: 
  • African Rift Valley Research Consortium, Co-organizer (2013 - Present)
  • African Rift Valley Research Consortium, Co-organizer (2013 - Present)
  • Workshop on the Evolution of Human Dietary, Co-organizer (2013 - Present)
  • CLAS/Search Committee for Dean of Social Sciences, member (2011 - Present)
  • CLAS/Faculty Research and Facilities Committee, Member (2011 - Present)
  • CLAS/Faculty Research and Facilities Committee, Member (2011 - Present)
  • SHESC Search Committee, chair (2010 - Present)
  • Journal of Human Evolution, Editorial Board member (2010 - Present)
  • Journal of Human Evolution, Editorial Board member (2010 - Present)
  • Journal of Human Evolution, Editorial Board member (2010 - Present)
  • Journal of Human Evolution, Editorial Board member (2010 - Present)
  • Journal of Human Evolution, Editorial Board member (2010 - Present)
  • Journal of Human Evolution, Editorial Board member (2009 - Present)
  • ASU Origins Initiative Faculty Advisory Committee, member (2008 - Present)
  • ASU Origins Initiative Faculty Advisory Committee, member (2008 - Present)
  • ASU Origins Symposium Organizing Committee, member (2008 - Present)
  • CLAS Administrative Council, member (2008 - Present)
  • IHO, Director (2008 - Present)
  • IHO, Director (2008 - Present)
  • IHO, Director (2008 - Present)
  • IHO, Director (2008 - Present)
  • IHO, Director (2008 - Present)
  • IHO, Director (2008 - Present)
  • Institute of Human Origins, Director (2008 - Present)
  • Spirit of the Senses, speaker (2008 - Present)
  • ASU Graduate School, speaker (2008 - Present)
  • Blackwell's Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Human Evolution, Advisory Editor (2008 - Present)
  • Blackwell's Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Human Evolution, Advisory Editor (2008 - Present)
  • SHESC Personnel Committee, member (2008 - Present)
  • CLAS/IHO, Co-leader (2009 - 2009)
  • CLAS Excellence Committee, Member (2008 - 2009)
  • SHESC Personnel Committee, member (2008 - 2009)
  • ASU Origins Symposium Organizing Committee, member (2008 - 2009)
  • Journal of Human Evolution, Editor (2003 - 2008)
  • Villa Montessori School, (2007)
  • Faculty mentor, advised new junior faculty member in SSFD (2006 - 2007)
  • Alumni Relations Committee, member (2004 - 2007)
  • SSFD launch, faculty judge for graduate student poster competition at SSFD launch (2006)
  • SHESC, Interim Associate Director (2006 - 2006)
  • Development Committee, member (2004 - 2006)
  • Natural History Museum, London, invited public speaker (2005)
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, manuscript referee (2005)
  • Institute of Human Origins, Acting Director (2004 - 2005)
  • School Structure Working Group, member (2003 - 2005)
  • Fulbright Applicant Evaluation Committee, committee member (2005)
  • Modern Urbanist faculty search committee, member (2004)
  • University of New Mexico, external tenure and promotion evaluator (2004)
  • Space and Renovation Committee, member (2003 - 2003)
  • Graduate Committee, Director of Graduate Studies (2003)
  • Graduate Program Task Force, chair (2003)
  • National Science Foundation, grant proposal reviewer (2003)
  • Stratetgic Planning Committee, member (2003)
  • departmental chair search committee, member (2003)
  • promotion and tenure committee for Steve Falconer, member (2003)
  • selection/interview committee, molecular biologist search, member (2003)
Expertise Areas: 
Evolutionary Anthropology
Paleoanthropology