Zachary Cofran
I am a biological anthropologist who studies growth and development in humans and our close relatives, both living and extinct. I received my PhD from the University of Michigan in 2012, and have been an assistant professor at Vassar College since 2016.
My research examines the evolution of development broadly, with primary interests in the brain, the fossil species Homo naledi, and modern gibbons. In the classroom, my teaching emphasizes empirical evidence for topics including human variation, primate behavior, climate change, and evolution. I also run the Human Evolution and Development (HEAD) Lab, giving students hands-on opportunities to study how we became human. See my website (lawnchairanthropology.com) for more information.
Research and Academic Interests
Paleoanthropology
Brain Evolution & Development
Primate Biology & Behavior
Departments and Programs
Selected Publications
Cofran Z and Kivell T, 2024. Adult Homo naledi hand skeleton points to life before birth. In Hublin, Mounier, and Teyssandier (eds), Lucy’s Heirs – Tribute to Yves Coppens. Comptes Rendus Palevol 23(28): 441-451. (link)
Cofran Z, Hurst SL, Beaudet A, & Zipfel B. 2023. An overlooked Australopithecus brain endocast from Makapansgat, South Africa. Journal of Human Evolution 178: 103346. (link)
Cofran Z, VanSickle C, Valenzuela R*, García-Martínez D, Walker CS, Hawks J, Zipfel B, Williams SA, & Berger LR. 2022. The immature Homo naledi ilium from the Lesedi Chamber, Rising Star Cave, South Africa. American Journal of Biological Anthropology 179: 3–17. (link)
Cofran Z, Boone M*, Petticord M*. 2021. Virtually estimated endocranial volumes of the Krapina Neandertals. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 174: 117–128. (link)
Cofran Z and Walker CSW. 2017. Dental development in Homo naledi. Biology Letters 13: 20170339. (link)
Cofran Z and DeSilva J. 2015. A neonatal perspective on Homo erectus brain growth. Journal of Human Evolution 81: 41-47. (link)
*Vassar Students
