I am a biological anthropologist and paleobiologist interested in the relationship between climate and evolution, with a focus on the environments and ecology of human origins in Africa. I study fossil mammals that provide long-term records of ecological and environmental change. I have an ongoing paleontological project in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. I have carried out extensive work in the Afar Region and the lower Omo Valley of Ethiopia, and the Lake Turkana Basin in Kenya. I also conduct field research in Chilean Patagonia to explore the environments and evolution of early South American primates.

Experience

  • 2015–present
    Research Associate, University of Oxford
  • 2011–2015
    Associate Professor, George Washington University

Contact René for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision