Ellen Fricano, PhD, D-ABFA

Research

Dr. Fricano’s research focuses on forensic anthropology, functional anatomy, evolutionary biology, and developmental anatomy. Her research combines traditional anatomical approaches with advanced three-dimensional imaging and geomorphometric methods, utilizing microCT, 3-d surface scans, and medical imaging.

Dr. Fricano is a practicing, board certified forensic anthropologist. She is the lead consulting forensic anthropologist for Los Angeles County. Her forensic anthropology research focuses on the interpretation of skeletal trauma, taphonomic modification, and skeletal variation in medicolegal contexts. She is particularly interested in applying detailed anatomical knowledge and three-dimensional imaging to challenging forensic cases, including remains affected by environmental exposure, aquatic environments, fire, and other postmortem processes.

A second major focus of her research is the evolution, development, and functional morphology of the craniofacial complex, with particular emphasis on the paranasal sinuses. Her current work examines maxillary sinus shape across primates, investigating patterns of phylogenetic variation, allometric scaling, and relationships between sinus morphology and external facial anatomy. This research seeks to better understand how internal craniofacial structures develop and evolve in relation to overall facial form and function.

 

Selected Publications

• Martin, C. J. L., Howden, D., Subedar, Z. S., Miwalian, R., Shankar, T., Azizi, F., ... & Fricano, E. (2025). Entirely Right-Sided Colon: A Case Report. Cureus, 17(12).
• Fricano, E. E., Bleuze, M. M., Bellipanni, K., & Brady, J. E. (2026). Otopathological indicators in Classic Period Maya: Evidence from the Cueva de Sangre, Dos Pilas. International Journal of Paleopathology, 54, 80-88. 
• Mashiach, D., Singh, S., Anjum, M., Polivka, A., Alnajjar, R., Wang, L., ... & Fricano, E. (2026). The anatomy of a jackstone: a novel morphometric analysis of a rare urinary calculus. Urolithiasis, 54(1), 66.
• Fricano EEI, Nguyen J, Hallal R, Llera Martin C. 2025.  Under the surface: Correlates with maxillary sinus shape. Journal of Anatomy 00:1–13.  DOI: 10.1111/joa.14283
• Bleuze MM, Fricano EEI, Farrell JM, Brady JE. 2024. A calvarial osteolytic lesion of probable vascular origin in a Maya juvenile from the Classic Period (250− 900 CE). International Journal of Paleopathology, 46, 9-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10101115
• Fricano EEI, Gremba A, Teixeira MS, Swarts JD, Alper C. 2023. Otitis Media and the Shape of the of the Pharyngotympanic Tube: A 3D MRI Study. Bioengineering 10(10), 1115.  https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10101115
• Fricano EEI, DeLeon VB. 2020.  Intraspecies Variation in Ectotympanic Tube Length and Orientation among Humans. The Anatomical Record 304(4), 832-844. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24514
• Fricano EEI, Perry JM. 2019. Maximum Bony Gape in Primates. The Anatomical Record 302(2), 215-225. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.23897

 

Teaching

At UNT Health, Dr. Fricano teaches gross anatomy courses for Medical, Graduate, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant students.

Courses Taught

• MEDE 7811: Musculoskeletal and Skin Systems 1 (medical students)
• MEDE 7812: Nervous System 1 (medical students)
• MEDE 7615: Cardiopulmonary System 1 (medical students)
• MEDE 7611: Gastrointestinal & Renal Systems 1 (medical students)
• MEDE 7715: Reproductive & Endocrine Systems 1 (medical students)
• PHAN 5501: Gross Anatomy (graduate students)
• DPHT 7200 & 7400: Clinical Anatomy 1 & 2 (physical therapy students)
• MPAS 5401 & 5208: Clinical Anatomy 1 & 2 (physician assistant students)

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