Hannah Farrell, PhD

Research

Dr. Farrell’s research examines how skeletal form reflects function and adaptation in primates, including modern humans, living apes, and fossil hominins. She investigates how morphological variation relates to locomotor behavior and what these patterns can reveal about evolutionary history. Dr. Farrell combines high-resolution micro-CT imaging with quantitative methods to characterize skeletal morphology at multiple scales, from internal bone architecture – including trabecular architecture and cortical geometry – to overall bone shape.

Her current research explores how skeletal morphology reflects different aspects of locomotor behavior across primate evolution and development. This includes examining the clavicle in relation to upper limb use and arboreality, investigating foot trabecular architecture as evidence of habitual posture and gait, and examining developmental changes in skeletal structure that contribute to limb integration and locomotor function.

Students interested in anatomy, human and primate evolution, biological anthropology, biomechanics, or skeletal biology can explore how bones reflect movement, development, and adaptation through research with Dr. Farrell.

Selected Publications

• Farrell, H.N., Luková, A., Bachmann, S., Sprigs, K., Synek, A., Pahr, D.H., Tsegai, Z.J. in press. The impact of footwear on human talar trabecular architecture. Journal of Anatomy.
• Farrell, H.N., Alemseged, Z. 2025 Clavicular evidence for continued arboreality in Australopithecus. Journal of Human Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2025.103714
• Farrell, H.N., Schwartz, R., Tsegai, Z.T., Alemseged, Z. 2025. Locomotor signals in the trabecular structure of the hominoid clavicle. Journal of Anatomy. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14243
• Farrell, H.N., Alemseged, Z. 2025. Locomotor adaptation in the hominoid clavicle through ontogeny. Journal of Human Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2025.103652
• Schwartz, R., Farrell, H.N., Alemseged, Z. 2024. Trabecular Bone Response Variation in the Hominoid Clavicle. Cambridge Journal of Human Behaviour. https://par.nsf.gov/biblio/10636391-trabecular-bone-response-variation-hominoid-clavicle

 

Teaching

At UNT Health, Dr. Farrell 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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