Jeffrey Laitman facts for kids

Dr. Jeffrey Laitman

Jeffrey Todd Laitman (born October 13, 1951) is an American scientist. He is an anatomist, studying the body's structure, and a physical anthropologist, who studies human evolution. Dr. Laitman's work helps us understand how the human upper respiratory tract (like your nose and throat) and vocal tract (for speaking) have grown and changed over time. He is a respected professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Understanding the Human Body

Dr. Laitman's lab at Mount Sinai studies how different mammals develop. This includes animals from rodents to primates (like monkeys) and even whales. His team looks at how their breathing, swallowing, and vocalizing systems have changed over time.

Studying Infants and Evolution

Dr. Laitman and his colleagues have learned a lot about how human infants breathe, swallow, and make sounds. This research helps us understand basic human anatomy. It also helps with certain health issues, like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

His work also focuses on how our breathing and eating systems have changed through evolution. He uses fossil remains to figure out what the vocal tracts of our human ancestors looked like. This research has shown important differences in the human respiratory system. It has also helped us understand how human speech and language first began.

Dr. Laitman's studies often lead to discussions about how living humans are different from groups like Neanderthals. His work has been featured in many science articles and TV shows. He has appeared in documentaries like Miracle Planet, The Day We Learned to Think (BBC), and Clash of the Cavemen (History Channel).

Teaching and Learning

Dr. Laitman has brought new ways of teaching anatomy to medical students. He has used tools like laparoscopes (tiny cameras) and robots in classes. He also worked with students to teach muscle and bone anatomy using yoga and Pilates. These new teaching ideas have won national awards.

He has also helped create programs where medical students learn to work in teams. This teaches them important skills for becoming doctors. Dr. Laitman is known for guiding other teachers, many of whom have won awards for their teaching. He also created programs for advanced students to become teaching assistants. This helps them learn to teach while also improving their own knowledge of anatomy. He has received many awards for his teaching and mentorship.

About Jeffrey Laitman

Jeffrey Laitman earned his first degree from Brooklyn College in New York City in 1973. He studied physical anthropology and history. After that, he went to Yale University for graduate studies in physical anthropology and anatomy. He received his M.Phil. in 1975 and his Ph.D. in 1977.

At Yale, he studied with famous scientists like Edmund S. Crelin and David R. Pilbeam. He also studied with French paleoanthropologist Yves Coppens in Paris. In 1976, while still a student, he started teaching anatomy at the Yale University School of Medicine.

In 1977, Dr. Laitman joined the faculty at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Today, he is a distinguished professor there. He is also the director of Anatomy and Functional Morphology. He teaches in several departments, including Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) and Medical Education. He is also a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History. He is part of a program called the New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP), which is supported by the National Science Foundation.

Guiding Future Scientists

Dr. Laitman has been a mentor and advisor to many medical and graduate students. Many of these students have gone on to have successful careers in medicine, science, and teaching. Some notable people he has mentored include Joy Reidenberg, Samuel Marquez, Patrick J. Gannon, and Eric Genden.

He has taught over 5,000 medical students during his career. He has also mentored many young scientists from around the world who came to work in his lab. Dr. Laitman often works with other scientists in the United States and other countries on various science and education projects.

Involvement in Science Groups

Dr. Laitman is an active member of many science groups. One of the most important is the American Association of Anatomists (AAA). This is a leading science and education group. He has held many roles in the AAA, including being on the board of directors. He was elected president of the AAA, serving from 2011 to 2013. He has also been elected vice president and then president of The Mount Sinai Alumni, Inc.

He also helps edit The Anatomical Record, a science journal. In this role, he has overseen special issues on topics like aquatic mammals, dinosaurs, and the evolution of primate senses.

Sharing Science with Everyone

Dr. Laitman often gives public talks about his science and teaching. He has spoken at places like The American Museum of Natural History, The Australian Museum, and the Smithsonian. He has also given lectures at the Musée de l'Homme in Paris and the Field Museum of Natural History.

He is also very involved in bringing science to younger students. He has created experiences at Mount Sinai and given talks at public schools in Chicago and New York. These efforts are part of The Leakey Foundation's science outreach programs.

Awards and Recognitions

• Fellow, American Anthropological Association
• Medal of the Collège de France
• Basmajian/Williams & Wilkins Award of The American Association of Anatomists
• Distinguished Professor of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Daniel C. Baker Award, American Laryngological Association
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
• Abraham Jacobi Medallion. The Mount Sinai Alumni
• Fellow, American Association of Anatomists
• Award for Achievement in Medical Education, The Mount Sinai Alumni
• Alfonso Bovero Award, Brazilian Society of Anatomy
• The Leakey Foundation Lecturer on Human Origins
• Henry Gray Distinguished Educator Medal, American Association of Anatomists
• Doctor of Medical Science (D.Med.Sc.) Honoris Causa, Medical College of Wisconsin

See also