Sam Urlacher, PhD – Principal Investigator

Education

PhD, Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 2016

MA, Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 2012

BS, Human Biology and Anthropology, Brown University, 2009

Courses taught

Intro to Human Evolution (ANT 1404)

Human Biological Variation (ANT4314)

Child Energetics & Health (ANT 4369)

Evolutionary Medicine (ANT 4371)

Lab Methods in Anthro Research (ANT 5312)

Advanced Human Biological Variation (ANT 5314)

Sam joined the Baylor faculty and started the HEBHL in 2019. He is an Associate Professor and currently serves as the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Anthropology. He also advises students in the Department of Biology. He is a founding faculty member of the Baylor Global Health Academy and advises students in health-related programs across the Baylor campus (e.g., McNair Scholars Program, Science Research Fellows Program). He co-directs the Shuar Health and Life History Project (Ecuador) and the Garisakang Evolutionary Anthropology Project (Papua New Guinea). He is an editor for the journals Annals of Human Biology, Scientific Reports, and Human Behavior.

Sam is dedicated not only to the field of human evolutionary biology, but also to science education/outreach and translational impact (particularly reducing disparities in child health). From Montana, he loves hiking, kayaking, and all things outdoors. He, his wife Sophie, and his daughters Olivia, Clara, and Amelia also enjoy museums and the performing arts. Sam is a proud alumnus of the Brown University Track and Field Team. He supports all traditionally-underrepresented students.

Sam’s CV can be viewed here. See his department profile and follow him on Twitter.

Graduate Students

Marcela Pfaff Nash, M.S.

Interests: Child health and growth, health inequalities among Indigenous and marginalized communities, gut health and energetics, evolutionary and biocultural perspectives on fermented foods.

Degree: Anthropology of Health PhD program

Joined the lab: 2021

Prior degrees: BS Physical Anthropology (Universidad de Chile ’18), MS Anthropology (Baylor University ’24)

Hometown: Viña del Mar, Chile

Children: Laura; Pets: Peanut (dog) & Mr. Boots (cat)

Hobbies: Hiking/camping with her family, crafts, cooking & reading.

Elizabeth Kim, M.S.

Interests: Understanding the interplay of physiological and behavioral mechanisms of appetite regulation during childhood, ELISA assay development and validation, Utilizing minimally-invasive techniques to measure biomarkers

Degree: Biology PhD program

Joined the lab: 2021

Prior degrees: MS Integrative Anatomical Sciences (University of Southern California), BA Environmental Sciences (University of Southern California)

Hometown: Orange County, California

Pets: Camo (dog) & Mr. Cowboy Buttons (cat)

Hobbies: Reading fantasy novels, brunch, & drinking iced coffee.

Anna Samsonov, M.S.

Interests: Health disparities, embodiment, food & water security

Degree: Anthropology of Health PhD program

Year joined lab: 2022

Prior degrees: BS Biology & BA Anthropology (’22, University of Georgia); MS (’24, Baylor University)

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Pets: Napoleon (cat)

Hobbies: Reading, rollerskating, & painting.

Shinina Shani, H.S.C.

Interests: Working with children and families in tackling life issues, and Applied Anthopology

Degree: Anthropology of Health PhD program

Joined lab: 2023

Hometown: Narok, Kenya

Shinina has 3 Children

My Linh Lucero

Interests: Child development, health disparities, energy pathways, and Type II Diabetes

Degree: Anthropology of Health PhD program

Joined lab: 2025

Prior degrees: BS Anthropology (Concentration: Human Biology) & BS Psychology (’25, University of New Mexico)

Hometown: Alburquerque, NM

Pets: Buster (dog)

Hobbies: Reading, crafts, & watching animal/nature documentaries.

Undergraduate Students

Rithika Muthyala

Interests: Water insecurity and malnutrition

Major: Health Sciences Studies

Joined lab: January 2025

Hometown: Westfield, NJ

Pets: Kobe (dog)

Hobbies: baking, trying new coffee shops, and driving!

Seung Yeun (Sunny) Joo

Interests: Gut microbiome, medicine

Major: Biology with concentration in Global Health; Biochemistry minor; Certigicate in Spanish for Health Professions

Joined lab: Fall 2024

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

Favorite animal: Quokka, raccoon

Hobbies: hiking, swimming, trying new foods

Abhi Rajkumar

Interests: Rural health’s influence on biomarkers, preventative medicine, healthcare policy

Major: University Scholars with concentrations in Biology, Medical Humanities, and Political Science

Joined lab: Fall 2024

Hometown: Frisco, Texas

Favorite animal: Bengal tiger

Hobbies: karate, watching sports, volunteering

Alumni

Kate Pogue

BS 2025

Laila Fahed

BA 2025

Thanmayi Parasu

BBA 2024

Tiffany Luan

BS 2023

Emma Shoemaker

BS 2025

Srihan Somepalli

BBA 2024

Kamila Montenegro

BA 2024

Brian Adjety

BA 2022

Luna Orozco

BS 2025

Sai Sagireddy

BS 2024

Lauren Young

BS 2023