| 1 | Name: | Dr. Elwyn LaVerne Simons | |
| Institution: | Duke University | ||
| Year Elected: | 1996 | ||
| Class: | 2. Biological Sciences | ||
| Subdivision: | 203. Evolution & Ecology, Systematics, Population Genetics, Paleontology, and Physical Anthropology | ||
| Residency: | Resident | ||
| Living? : | Deceased | ||
| Birth Date: | 1930 | ||
| Death Date: | March 6, 2016 | ||
Dr. Elwyn L. Simons is primarily interested in the history, general biology, and behavior of living and extinct primates. His research concerns focus on the early evolution of anthropoids in the late Eocene and early Oligocene of the Fayum Depression, Egypt; the paleoecology, dating, taphonomy, anatomy, and relationships of extinct placentals from these sites; dating, extinctions, anatomy, and relationships of giant subfossil lemurs of Madagascar; behavioral and conservation studies of extant Malagasy lemurs; and the evolutionary history and relationships of middle and late Tertiary apes, as well as Plio-Pleistocene hominids. Dr. Simons has led over 70 field expeditions to Egypt, Madagascar, India, Iran, Nepal, and Wyoming. He has held professional appointments at Yale (1960-77) and Duke Universities (1977-) and was the Director (1977-91) and Scientific Director (1991-2001) of the Duke Primate Center. He has authored nearly 300 scientific publications and is the holder of many high honors. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences as well as many other professional associations. He was elected a "Knight of the National Order" by the government of Madagascar and has been the recipient of awards including the Charles R. Darwin Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. | |||