Dr. Craig D. Byron

I joined the Department of Biology in 2006. Since this time at Mercer, I have watched the Biology Department grow substantially in the number of students, the number of faculty, and in the available resources for conducting faculty-student collaborative scholarship in and out of the classroom.

Education

• Ph.D., Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia
• M.A., Anthropology, Kent State University
• B.A., Anthropology, Indiana University

Specialty

Anatomy, biological anthropology, functional morphology, and R programming

Professional Interests

I conduct multiple research projects that directly relate to biological anthropology, biomedical science, mouse models in experimental biology, and quantitative methods using the R statistical language and Java-based ImageJ software. My scholarly output is generally focused on musculoskeletal systems relating to locomotion and the anatomy and histology of fibrous joints within the cranium that relate to feeding. I study skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems within specific functional contexts to understand important aspects of mammalian biology and evolution. Current research collaborations center around topics such as dietary adaptation and human evolution, the origins of primate-like arboreality, and the evolutionary significance of ape-like suspensory behavior.

Other Interests

I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, working in the yard at home where I have two cats and a dog, and making pizza from scratch every Friday night. After approximately 600-700 pizza nights in my house (and counting), I feel confident in my ability to turn out a quality artisanal-style pizza.

Recent Publications

• (2023) Byron C, Reed D, Iriarte‐Diaz J, Wang Q, Strait D, Laird MF, Ross CF. Sagittal suture strain in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus and Cebus) during feeding. Am. J. Biol. Anthropol. 180:633–654.
• (2021) Byron, C. D., Kiefer, A. M., Thomas, J., Patel, S., Jenkins, A., Fratino, A. L. and Anderson, T. The authentication and repatriation of a ceremonial tsantsa to its country of origin. Herit. Sci. 1–13.
• (2020) Selby, M.S., Lovejoy, C.O., Byron, C.D. Odd-nosed monkey scapular morphology converges on that of arm- swinging apes. Journal of Human Evolution. 143, 1-10.
• (2019) Sedghi L, Byron CD, Jennings R, Chlipala GE, Green SJ, Siloh-Suh L. Effect of Dietary Fiber on the Composition of the Murine Dental Microbiome. Dentistry Journal. 7(58), 1-13.
• (2018) Byron CD, Segreti M, Hawkinson K, Herman K, Patel S. Dietary Material Properties Shape Cranial Suture Complexity in the Mouse Calvarium. Journal of Anatomy. 233, 807-813.
• (2017) Byron CD, Granatosky MC, Covert HH. An anatomical and mechanical analysis of the douc monkey (genus Pygathrix), and its role in understanding the evolution of brachiation. Am J Phys Anthropol. 164(4),801–820.
• (2017) Ledogar JA, Benazzi S, Smith AL, Weber GH, Carlson KB, Dechow PC, Grosse IG, Ross CF, Richmond BG, Wright BW, Wang Q, Byron C, Carlson KJ, de Ruiter DJ, Pryor McIntosh L, Strait DS. The biomechanics of bony facial “buttresses” in South African australopiths: an experimental study using finite element analysis. The Anatomical Record. 300, 171-195.

For access to my self-archived articles please see my Research Gate page at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Craig_Byron/publication

Contact Dr. Craig D. Byron

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(478) 301-2163
byron_cd@mercer.edu
Office: Godsey Science Center, Room 327