Zewdi Tsegai, PhD

I am a palaeoanthropologist, and my research is primarily focused on understanding the evolution of bipedalism and reconstructing locomotion among early fossil human relatives (hominins). My lab uses analysis of skeletal morphology in combination with biomechanical studies to explore the functional morphology of the human and ape skeleton and reconstruct locomotor and tool use behaviour of fossil hominins. This research is largely focused on understanding how behaviour shapes the skeleton, and how we can use plastic features to reconstruct locomotor behaviour in the past. Key areas of ongoing research include the functional morphology of the foot, how the skeleton changes during growth, and inter- and intra-specific variability in internal bone morphology.

Comparison of ankle dorsiflexion using XROMM and external angular kinematics in a quadrupedally walking macaque. Comparison of ankle dorsiflexion using XROMM and external angular kinematics in a quadrupedally walking macaque. J Exp Biol. 2025 Sep 01; 228(17). PMID: 40761170 Cranial vault thickness, its internal organization, and its relationship with endocranial shape in Neanderthals and modern humans. Cranial vault thickness, its internal organization, and its relationship with endocranial shape in Neanderthals and modern humans. J Hum Evol. 2025 Jul; 204:103683. PMID: 40359630 Locomotor signals in the trabecular structure of the hominoid clavicle. Locomotor signals in the trabecular structure of the hominoid clavicle. J Anat. 2025 08; 247(2):284-303. PMID: 40059081 Restructuring of Fe