Inspiring Scientific Curiosity and Discovery

Grasping at Primate Touch: Integrating genetics, anatomy, histology, and ecology

Dr. Carrie Veilleux is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Midwestern University, in Glendale, Arizona. She is a molecular and sensory ecologist, primatologist, and anatomist. Her lab uses a combination of molecular genomic, behavioral ecology, psychophysics, and anatomical methods to investigate interspecific and intraspecific variation in mammal sensory systems, with a particular focus on primates. The origin and evolution of primates is associated with shifts in two sensory modalities: vision and manual touch. Manual touch, especially precision touch (the ability to detect object shape, texture, vibration, movement), plays a key role in all aspects of primate daily life. This presentation will cover Dr. Veilleux’s recent research on the relationships between genetic, histological, morphometric, and behavioral metrics of precision touch.