Research: Primate and human anatomy, experimental functional morphology and biomechanics, human and primate evolution.

Dr. Larson's research centers on the functional interpretation of primate and human postcranial morphology focusing on the use of experimental techniques to test hypothesized relationships between form and function. Some of these techniques include kinematic motion analysis, force plate studies, and cineradiography. However, most of Dr. Larson's research involves the analysis of muscle function using the technique of electromyography (EMG). Much of this research has concerned shoulder muscle function in nonhuman primates, on which she has published several papers in collaboration with Jack T. Stern. This interest in shoulder morphology and evolution has recently led to her participation in the original description and analysis of the upper limb remains of the enigmatic hominin fossil, Homo floresiensis.