David Raichlen

David Raichlen is a Biological Anthropologist interested in the origins and evolution of the human lineage. He received a B.S. from Duke University in 1998. He received his M.A. in 2000 and his Ph.D. in 2004 from the University of Texas at Austin. He joined the University of Arizona in 2006 as an Assistant Professor. In 2019, he moved to the Human and Evolutionary Biology Section of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California. His research examines the links between human evolution, physical activity, and health across the lifespan. His work in evolutionary physiology explores how movement and physical activity drove key aspects of human evolution, helping to explain how and why inactivity underlies many chronic diseases today. Combining biomechanics, physiology and neuroscience, and building on reconstructions of movement and exercise patterns in ancient human ancestors, his work suggests a full understanding of our evolutionary history can help explain how and why our current, more sedentary lifestyle impacts our physical and mental health, and how we can use this evolutionary context to improve well-being today. His current research is focused on understanding how and why exercise and physical activity benefits brain structure and cognitive function, especially in older adults.