B.S., Montana State University (Biology, with Honors), 1999

M.S., San Diego State University (Evolutionary Biology), 2004

Research Statement:
I am interested in the evolution and development of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises).  Cetaceans have a unique hand with as many as 13 bones per finger (hyperphalangy), and are the only mammals to have this morphology.  My dissertation research explores the developmental mechanisms that create these additional finger bones.  The dissertation also integrates anatomical, functional, and developmental techniques to investigate the evolutionary history of hyperphalangy.

This research is done in the developmental and paleontological laboratory of Dr. Hans Thewissen (http://www.neoucom.edu/DEPTS/ANAT/Thewissen/). As a graduate student working in Dr. Thewissen’s lab, I also collect fossils in the Eocene rocks of India.  By combining evidence from fossils with results from developmental experiments, our lab is able to hypothesize how and when major morphological changes, like hyperphalangy, evolved.

Articles:
Cooper L.N., A. Berta, S.D. Dawson, J.S. Reidenberg. 2007. Evolution of hyperphalangy and digit reduction in the cetacean manus. Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology 209(6):654-672.

Cooper L.N., S.D. Dawson, J.S. Reidenberg, A. Berta. 2007. Neuromuscular anatomy and evolution of the cetacean forelimb. Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology 209(9): 1121-1137.

Abstracts:
Cooper, L.N., J.G.M. Thewissen. (2006) Heterochrony in gene expression in Eocene and Oligocene cetaceans. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26(Supplement to 3):52A.

Thewissen, J.G.M., L.N. Cooper. (2006) Developmental constraints on evolution: development of the cetacean body plan. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26(Supplement to 3): 131A.

Cooper, L.N., A. Berta. (2005) Evolution of the cetacean manus: patterns of reduction, hyperphalangy, and polydactyly. Evolution of Aquatic Tetrapods in Akron, OH. Cranbrook Institute of Science, Misc. Pubs. 1:19.

Cooper, L.N., A. Berta, and T. Demere. (2002) From Dorudon to finbacks: evolution of the mysticete forelimb. In R.E. Fordyce and M. Walker (eds.), Secondary Adaptation to Life in Water. Department of Geology, University of Otago, New Zealand. Dec. 9-13.

Cooper, L.N., J.R. Horner. (1999) Growth rate of Hypacrosaurus stebingeri as hypothesized from lines of arrested growth and whole femoral circumference. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 19 (Supplement to 3):39A. 

Cooper, L.N., E. Lamm, C.C. Horner, J.R. Horner. (1998) Annual changes in mass of Hypacrosaurus stebingeri as hypothesized from lines of arrested growth.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 18 (Supplement to 3): 35A.