Erin R. Leslie, Ph.D.

I'm interested in describing skeletal morphological variation and understanding genetic and external inputs on skeletal development. I use traditional and 3D geometric morphometric techniques to quantify and analyze shape. My research currently falls into two primary areas.

Area 1: I have a research collaboration with Dr. Jieun Kim’s lab studying the use of quantitative ultrasound bone sonometry (QUS), micro CT, and histology to characterize changes in human cortical bone density and structure with regard to age, body size, and co-morbid conditions. To date we have studied these variables in anatomical whole-body and skeletonized donor specimens.

Area 2: My lab is part of a translational research collaboration with Dr. Bryan Bjork's lab studying craniofacial development in mutant mouse models (cleft secondary palate-1, little chin). These mouse models mimic several human developmental anomalies, including Pierre-Robin Sequence, cleft palate, and hydrocephalus. My lab is specifically involved in quantifying morphological differences among the various strains, sexes, and age categories from volume-rendered micro CT images.