As a biological anthropologist with training in epidemiology, Chris Kuzawa studies the effects of intrauterine and early postnatal environments on human development, adult health and life history. The premise of this research is that a mother's diet, access to prenatal care, and exposure to stress may permanently alter offspring biology in a fashion that influences risk for the most common causes of adult morbidity and mortality -- including hypertension, diabetes, and heart attacks. This is an example of “developmental plasticity,” or the sensitivity of the body to the environment experienced during early stages of development. The Projects and Publications links provide more information.

Dr. Kuzawa is a founding member of Cells to Society, Northwestern’s interdisciplinary center for the study of health disparities. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Liggins Institute of the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Department of Anthropology
Northwestern University
1810 Hinman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60208

phone: 847-467-4302
fax: 847-467-1778
email: kuzawa at northwestern dot edu

Laboratory for Human Biology Research  •  Department of Anthropology  •  Northwestern University