Brigitte Demes
Professor
Ph.D., University of Bochum
(Germany), 1982
Habilitation, University of
Bochum (Germany), 1989

brigitte.demes@stonybrook.edu

Biomechanics and functional morphology, kinematics and kinetics of primate locomotion, influence of body size on locomotion and the structure of the musculoskeletal system, long bone loading patterns.

Dr. Demes' primary research interest is the interaction between function and form in the primate locomotor system which she studies using methods of biomechanics and functional morphology. Much of her research is focussed on the influence of body size on locomotor performance and musculoskeletal design. With increasing (or decreasing) size, regular changes in kinematic parameters (such as stride length) and kinetic parameters (such as substrate reaction force) can be observed. These are accompanied by and correlated with changes in body proportions and long bone robusticity. Applying principles of mechanics allows a functional understanding of these scaling trends. Data acquisition in this field includes substrate reaction force measurements with a force plate and force pole, video­based motion analysis, and determination of bone cross­sectional geometry from x­rays and CT scans.

More recently, the loading regimes experienced by macaque long bones during locomotion were quantified using strain gauge technology. It was found that the bones experience bending and that they are not especially buttressed in the plane of bending. These results caution against broad behavioral conclusions derived from long bone cross-sectional shapes.

Research in progress addresses the role of forelimbs and hind limbs in generating propulsive thrust in leaping in primates and nonprimate mammals, and how specialized primate leapers generate and sustain the exceptionally high forces that occur during takeoff and landing.

Selected Publications:

Demes B, Qin Y-X, Stern JTJr, Larson SG, Rubin CT (2001) Patterns of strain in the macaque tibia during functional activiy. Am. J. Phys. Anthrop., 116: 257-265.

Demes B, Fleagle JG, Jungers WL (1999) Takeoff and landing forces of leaping strepsirhine primates. J. Hum. Evol. 37: 279 - 292.

Demes B, Stern JTJr, Hausman MR, Larson SG, McLeod KJ, Rubin CT (1998) Patterns of strain in the macaque ulna during functional activity. Am. J. Phys. Anthrop. 106: 87 - 100.

Demes, B., Fleagle, J. G. and Lemelin, P. (1998) Myological correlates of prosimian leaping. J. hum. Evol. 34: 385 - 399.

Demes B, Larson SG, Stern JTJr, Jungers WL, Biknevicius AR, Schmitt D (1994) The kinetics of primate quadrupedalism: "hindlimb drive" reconsidered. J. Hum. Evol. 26: 353 - 374.

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