Jeffrey Laitman facts for kids

Dr. Jeffrey Laitman

Jeffrey Todd Laitman (born in 1951) is an American anatomist and physical anthropologist. He studies how the human body parts used for breathing and 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. There, he leads the Center for Anatomy and Functional Morphology. He also teaches about the ear, nose, and throat, and medical education.

Exploring the Body and Its Changes

Jeffrey Laitman's lab at Mount Sinai studies how breathing, swallowing, and speaking systems develop. They look at many different mammals, from small rodents to whales. His team has learned a lot about how these systems change in human infants. This work helps us understand basic human anatomy. It also helps with medical issues like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as Crib Death.

How Humans Began to Speak

Dr. Laitman's research also looks at how our breathing and eating systems have changed over millions of years. He uses fossil remains to figure out what the vocal tracts of our early human ancestors looked like. This work helps us understand what makes the human respiratory system special. It also gives us clues about how human speech and language first began.

His studies often compare modern humans to ancient groups like Neanderthals. Dr. Laitman's work has been featured in many news articles and science shows. He has appeared in TV documentaries about human origins and the evolution of speech. These include Miracle Planet and The Day We Learned to Think by the BBC.

Teaching and Learning Innovations

Dr. Laitman has brought new ways of teaching anatomy to medical students. He has introduced using special tools called laparoscopes and even robots in classes. He also worked with students to teach about muscles and bones using yoga and Pilates. This new idea won national awards.

He and his team have also created new ways to teach "team-work" and "team-responsibility." These are important skills for future doctors. Dr. Laitman is very good at guiding other teachers. Many of them have won awards for their teaching. He also set up programs where advanced students can learn to teach. This helps them understand anatomy even better. He has received many awards for his teaching and mentorship.

His Journey in Science

Jeffrey Laitman earned his first degree from Brooklyn College in 1973. He graduated with the highest honors in physical anthropology and history. He then went to Yale University for his advanced degrees, getting his M.Phil. in 1975 and his Ph.D. in 1977. At Yale, he studied with famous scientists like Edmund S. Crelin, Jr., David Pilbeam, and Yves Coppens.

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 at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and at the City University of New York. He is also a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History. He is part of a program called NYCEP, which trains students in evolutionary primatology.

Guiding Future Scientists

Dr. Laitman has been a mentor and advisor to many medical and graduate students. Many of his students have gone on to have important careers in medicine and science. He has taught over 5,000 medical students during his career. He has also mentored many young scientists from around the world. He often works with other scientists on different projects.

Active 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). He has held many leadership roles in the AAA. He was elected to its board of directors and later became its president from 2011 to 2013. He also served as president of The Mount Sinai Alumni, Inc. He helps oversee The Anatomical Record, a science journal.

Sharing Science with Everyone

Dr. Laitman often gives public talks about his science and education. He has spoken at famous places like The American Museum of Natural History 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 learning experiences at Mount Sinai. He has also given talks at public schools in Chicago and New York. These talks 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
• 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