Muhammad Spocter, Ph.D.
Director and Professor, Master of Science in Anatomy Program
Additional Roles
Professor, Anatomy
Professor, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program
Professor, Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences Program
Areas of Expertise
| Education: |
|---|
| Postdoctoral training: The George Washington University, 2008-2011 |
| Lecturer and Project Scientist: University of California, Santa Barbara, 2007-2008 |
| Ph.D., Human biology, University of the Witwatersrand, 2007 |
| M.Sc., Physical anthropology, University of Witwatersrand, 2004 |
| B.Sc., Medical cell biology & Human biology, University of the Witwatersrand, 2002 |
I am a broadly trained biological anthropologist and I use comparative anatomy to investigate the neuroanatomical features that underlie the evolution and behavior of large brained, social species. My interest in the brain and the evolutionary principles that have shaped it has seen me apply my knowledge to the study of several different taxa, ranging from humans and human ancestors to that of elephants, dolphins and even crocodiles. By casting a wide comparative net my laboratory deliberately seeks to embrace the diversity of brain architecture at all levels of analysis and to use knowledge garnered from this to help us better understand the emergence of the human brain and the biological basis for variation in brain function and disease liability. As a secondary interest, I am also engaged in collaborative projects in medical education and forensic anthropology.
Mazengenya, P., Spocter, M.A., & Manger, P.R. (In Preparation). Nuclear parcellation and numbers of orexinergic neurons in five species of larger brained birds. Journal of Comparative Neurology.
Oddes, D., Ngwenya, A., Malungo, I. B., Burkevica, A., Hard, T., Bertelsen, M. F., Spocter, M.A., Scantlebury, DM., & Manger, P.R. (2023). Orexinergic neurons in the hypothalami of an Asiatic lion, an African lion and a Southeast African cheetah. Journal of Comparative Neurology Feb;531(3):366-389, link
Spocter, M.A. (2022). The 42nd Annual Meeting of the J.B. Johnston Club for Evolutionary Neuroscience and the 34th Annual Karger Workshop in Evolutionary Neuroscience. Brain, Behavior and Evolution, link
Matz, O.C*., & Spocter, M.A. (2022). The effect of Huntington’s Disease on the Basal Nuclei: A Review. Cureus, link
Dayal, M.R., Billings, B. K., Brits, D., Abdallah, A*., Spocter, M.A., & Bidmos, M.A. (2022). Sex estimation from dimensions of the base of the skull in black South Africans. Anthropologischer Anzeiger (The Journal of Biological and Clinical Anthropology), link
Spocter, M.A. (2021). The 41st Annual Meeting of the J.B. Johnston. Club for Evolutionary Neuroscience and the 33rd Annual Karger Workshop in Evolutionary Neuroscience. Brain, Behavior and Evolution. link
Swiegers, J., Bhagwandin, A., Maseko, B. C., Sherwood, C.C., Hard, T., Bertelsen, M. F., Spocter, M.A., Molnar, Z., & Manger, P.R. (2021). The distribution, number, and certain neurochemical identities of infracortical white matter neurons in the brains of a southern lesser galago, a black-capped squirrel monkey and a crested macaque. Journal of Comparative Neurology. –link
Manger, P.R., Patzke, N., Spocter, M.A., Bhagwandin, A., Karlson, K.AE., Bertelsen, M.F., Alagaili, A.N., Bennett, N.C., Mohammed, O.B., Herculano-Houzel, S., Hof, P.R., & Fuxe, K (2021). Amplification of potential thermogenic mechanisms in cetacean brains compared to artiodactyl brains. Scientific Reports 11, 5486 -link
Spocter, M.A., Sherwood, C.C., Schapiro, S.J., & Hopkins, W.D. (2020). Reproducibility of Leftward Planum Temporale Asymmetries in Two Genetically Isolated Populations of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B. –link
Grewal, J.S., Gloe, T., Hegedus, J., Bitterman, K., Billings, B., Chengetanai, S., Bentil, S., Ng, J., Wang, V., Tang, C.C., Geletta, S., Wicinski, B., Bertelson, M., Tendler, B.C., Mars, R., Aquirre, G.K., Rusbridge, C., Hof, P.R., Sherwood, C.C., Manger, P.R., & Spocter, M.A (2020). Brain gyrification in wild and domestic canids: Has domestication changed the gyrification index in domestic dogs? Journal of Comparative Neurology. –link
Chengetania, S., Tenley, J., Bertelson, M,F., Hard, T., Bhagwandin, A., Haagensen, M., Tang, C., Wicinski, B., Hof, P.R., Manger, P.R., & Spocter, M.A (2020). The brain of the African wild dog. I. Anatomy, architecture and volumetrics. Journal of Comparative Neurology. –link
Chengetania, S., Bhagwandin, A., Bertelson, M,F., Hard, T., Hof, P.R., Spocter, M.A & Manger, P.R (2020). The brain of the African wild dog. II. The olfactory system. Journal of Comparative Neurology. -link
Chengetania, S., Bhagwandin, A., Bertelson, M, F., Hard, T., Hof, P.R., Spocter, M.A., & Manger, P.R (2020). The brain of the African wild dog. III. The auditory system. Journal of Comparative Neurology.–link
Chengetania, S., Bhagwandin, A., Bertelson, M, F., Hard, T., Hof, P.R., Spocter, M.A., & Manger, P.R (2020). The brain of the African wild dog. IV. The visual system. Journal of Comparative Neurology.–link
Finneran, K., Aoki, T., Barnes, M. J., & Spocter, M.A (2020). Evolutionary Medicine. In: T. K. Shackelford, & V.A. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. New York, NY: Springer Cham.–link
Braken, E., Billings, B.K., Barnes, M. J., & Spocter, M.A (2020). The evolution of tool use. In: T. K. Shackelford, & V.A. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. New York, NY: Springer Cham.–link
Spocter, M.A (2020). Adaptation. In: T. K. Shackelford, & V.A. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. New York, NY: Springer Cham.–link
Haas, J., Hass, R., Spocter, M.A., & de Sousa, A.A (2020). Human Visual Neuroscience. In: T. K. Shackelford, & V.A. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. New York, NY: Springer Cham.–link
Nguyen, V., Uchida, R., Warling A., Sloan, LJ., Dodelson, C., Shin, R., Wicinski, B., Bitterman, K., Bertelsen, MF., Stimpson, CD., Schall, M., Hof, PR., Sherwood, CC., Manger, PR., Spocter, M.A., & Jacobs, B (2020). Comparative neocortical neuromorphology in felids: African lion (Panthera leo), African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Journal of Comparative Neurology.–link
Imam, A., Bhagwandin, A., Ajao, M.S., Spocter, M.A., & Manger, P.R (2019). The brain of the tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). IV. The brainstem and cerebellum. Journal of Comparative Neurology, – link
Spocter, M.A. (2019, 24th March), Hypothesis. Video Descriptor: A short hypothesis video created in collaboration with the Go2Science.com. This video provides elementary school learners with an introduction to cetaceans and the concept of relative abundance. Retrieved from: https://www.go2science.com. – link
Imam, A., Bhagwandin, A., Ajao, M.S., Spocter, M.A., Ihunwo, A.O., & Manger, P.R (2018). The brain of the tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). II. The olfactory system. Journal of Comparative Neurology. -link
Spocter, M.A., Uddin, A., Ng, J., Wong, E., Wang, V.X., Tang, C., Wicinski, B., Haas, J., Bitterman, K., Raghanti, M.R.,Dunn, R., Hof, P.R., Sherwood, C.C., Jovanovik, J., Rusbridge, C., & Manger, P.R (2018). Scaling of the corpus callosum in wild and domestic canids: Insights into the domesticated brain. Journal of Comparative Neurology. -link
Spocter, M.A., Fairbanks, J., Locey, L., Nguyen, A., Bitterman, K., Dunn, R., Sherwood, C.C., Geletta, S., Dell, L.A., Patzke, N & Manger, P.R (2018). Neuropil distribution in the anterior cingulate and occipital cortex of artiodactyls. Anatomical Record (Hoboken), 301:1871–1881-link
Lemert, J., & Spocter, M.A (2018). Brain Size and Intelligence. In: T. K. Shackelford, & V.A. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. New York, NY: Springer Publishing, 2018. -link
Lemert, J., & Spocter, M.A (2018). The evolution of the brain. In: T. K. Shackelford, & V.A. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. New York, NY: Springer Publishing, 2018.-link
Jacobs, B., Garcia, M.E., Shea-Shumsky, N.B., Tennison, M.E., Sloan, L., Warling, A., Schall, M., Bull, A.J., Raghanti, M.A., Lewandowski, A.H., Wicinski, B., Chui, HK., Bertelsen, MF., Walsh, T., Bhagwandin, A., Spocter MA., Hof, PR., Sherwood, CC & Manger, PR (2018). Comparative morphology of gigantopyramidal neurons in primary motor cortex across mammals. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 526:496-536, 2018. –link
Olateju, O.I., Spocter, M.A., Patzke, N., Ihunwo, A.O., & Manger P.R (2017). Hippocampal neurogenesis in the C57BL/6J mice at early adulthood following chronic prenatal alcohol exposure. Metabolic Brain Disease, 2017. -link
Sweigers, J., Bhagwandin, A., Spocter, M.A., Kaswera-Kyamakya, C., Gilissen, E., Manger, P.R., & Maseko, B.C (2017). Nuclear organization of cholinergic, catecholaminergic, serotonergic and orexinergic neurons in two relatively large brained rodent species – the springhare (Pedetes capensis) and Beecroft’s scaly-tailed squirrel (Anomalurus beecrofti). Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 3;86:78-91, 2017.-link
Pettigrew, J.D., Bhagwandin, A., Spocter, M.A., Dell, L.A., Davimes, J., & Manger, P.R (2017). Hands of living San resemble those in paleolithic stencils, not modern Europeans. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 73(1): 1-7, 2017.-link
Spocter M.A., Patzke N., Manger P.R (2017). Cetacean Brains . In Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology, Elsevier. ISBN 9780128093245, 2017. -link
Dell, LA., Patzke, N., Spocter, M.A., Bertelsen, M., Siegel, J.M., & Manger, P.R (2016). Organization of the sleep related neural systems in the brain of the river hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius): a most unusual Cetartiodactyl species. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 524 (10),2036-58. 2016 -link
Dell, LA., Karlson, K.E., Patzke, N., Spocter, M.A., Siegel, J.M., & Manger, P.R (2016). Organization of the sleep related neural systems in the brain of the Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Journal of Comparative Neurology, 524 (10), 2018-35. 2016 -link
Dell, LA., Patzke, N., Spocter, M.A., Siegel, J.M., & Manger, P.R (2016). Organization of the sleep related neural systems in the brain of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Journal of Comparative Neurology, 524, (10), 1999-2017. 2016 -link
Dell, L.A., Spocter, M.A., Patzke, N., Karlson, K.E., Alagaili, A.N., Bennett, N.C., Siegel, J.M., & Manger, P.R. (2015). Orexinergic bouton density is lower in the cerebral cortex of cetaceans compared to artiodactyls. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 68:61-76. 2015 – link
Spocter, M.A., Raghanti, M.A., Butti, C., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. (2015). The Minicolumn in a Comparative Context. In: Casanova, M & Opris, I (eds.) Recent Advances on the Modular Organization of the Cerebral Cortex. Springer Publishing. 2015 – link
Patzke, N., Spocter, M.A., Karlson, KA., Bertelsen, M.F., Haagensen, M., Chawana, R., Streicher, S., Kaswera, C., Gilissen, E., Alagaili, A.N., Mohammed, O.B., Reep, R.L., Bennett, N.C., Bonfanti, L., Siegel, J.M., Ihunwo, A.O., & Manger, P.R. (2015). In contrast to many other mammals, cetaceans have relatively small hippocampi that appear to lack adult neurogenesis. Brain, Structure & Function Nov, 1-23, 2015 – link
Chawana, R., Alagaili, A., Patzke, N., Spocter, M.A., Mohammed, O.B., Kaswera, C., Gilissen, E., Bennett, N.C.,Ihunwo, A. & Manger, P.R. (2014). Microbats appear to have adult hippocampal neurogenesis but post-capture stress causes a rapid decline in the number of neurons expressing doublecortin. Neuroscience, 2014 – link
Butti, C., Fordyce, R.E., Raghanti, M.A., Gu, X., Bonar, C.J., Wicinski, B.A., Wong, E.W., Roman, J., Brake, A., Eaves, E., Spocter, M.A., Tang, C.Y., Jacobs, B., Sherwood, C.C., & Hof, P.R. (2014).The cerebral cortex of the pygmy hippopotamus, Hexaprotodon liberiensis (Cetartiodactyla, Hippopotamidae): MRI, cytoarchitecture, and neuronal morphology. Anatomical Record (Hoboken), 294(4): 670-700, 2014 – link
Manger, P.R., Spocter, M.A. & Patzke, N. (2013). The evolutions of large brain size in mammals- ‘the Over 700g Club Quartet’. Brain Behavior & Evolution 82 (1), 68-78., 2013 – link
Ngwenya, A., Patzke, N., Spocter, M.A., Kruger, J., Dell, L., Chawana, R., Mazengenya, P., Billings, B.K., Olaleye, O., Herculano-Houzel, S., & Manger, P.R. (2013).The continuously growing central nervous system of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). Anatomical Record (Hoboken) 296, 1489-1500, 2013 – link
Maseko, B.C., Jacobs, B., Spocter, M.A., Sherwood, C.C., Hof, P.R., & Manger, P.R. (2013). Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the microanatomy of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) cerebellar cortex. Brain Behavior & Evolution 81 (1), 40-55, 2013 – link
Spocter, M.A., Hopkins, W.D., Barks, S.K., Bianchi, S., Stimpson, C.D., Fobbs, A.J., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. (2012). Neuropil distribution in the cerebral cortex differs between humans and chimpanzees. Journal of Comparative Neurology 520 (13), 2917-2929., 2012 – link
Maseko, B.C., Spocter, M.A., Haagensen, M., & Manger, P.R. (2012). Elephants have the relatively largest cerebellum size of mammals. Anatomical Record (Hoboken) 295,661-672., 2012 – link
Manger, P.R., Hemingway, J. Spocter, M.A., & Gallagher, A. (2012). The mass of the human brain: is it a spandrel. In: Reynolds, S & Gallagher, A. (eds.) African Genesis: Perspectives on Hominin Evolution, Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology. Cambridge University Press, 2012 – link
Štrkalj, G., Spocter, M.A., & Wilkinson, A.T. (2011). Anatomy, medical education and human ancestral variation. Anatomical Sciences Education, 4(6):362-365. , 2011 – link
Štrkalj, G., Ngo, A., Park, K., Kim, G.B., & Spocter, M.A. (2011). Chiropractors’ perceptions of the possible racial differences in response to a treatment: A pilot study. Studies on Ethno-Medicine, 5(3),149-151. – Link, 2011 – link
Maseko, B.C., Spocter, M.A., Haagensen, M., & Manger, P.R. 2011. Volumetric analysis of the African elephant ventricular system. Anatomical Record (Hoboken) 298,1412-1417., 2011 – link
Bianchi, S., Bauernfeind, A.L., Gupta, K., Stimpson, C.D., Spocter, M.A., Bonar, C.J., Manger, P.R., Hof, P.R., Jacobs, B., & Sherwood, C.C. 2011. Neocortical neuron morphology in Afrotheria: comparing the rock hyrax with the African elephant. Ann. N.Y.Acad. Sci. 1225, 37-46., 2011 – link
Spocter, M.A., Hopkins, W.D., Garrison, A.R., Bauerfeind, A., Stimpson, C.D., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. 2010. Wernicke’s area homologue in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and its relation to the appearance of modern human language. Proc R Soc B 277, 2165-2174., 2010 – link
Sherwood, C.C., Raghanti, M.A., Stimpson, C.D., Spocter, M.A., Uddin, M., Boddy, A.M., Wildman, D.E., Bonar, C.J., Lewandowski, A.H., Phillips, K.A., Erwin, J.M., & Hof, P.R. 2010. Inhibitory interneurons of the human prefrontal cortex display conserved evolution of the phenotype and related genes. Proc R Soc B 277, 1011-1020., 2010 – link
Raghanti, M.A., Spocter, M.A., Butti, C., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. 2010. A comparative perspective on minicolumns and inhibitory GABAergic interneurons in the Neocortex. Front Neuroanat. 4, (3) 1-10., 2010 – link
Wilkinson, A.T., Štrkalj, G., & Spocter, M.A. 2010. Should human variation be taught to medical students? In: Štrkalj, G. (ed.) Teaching Human Variation: Issues, Trends and Challenges. Hauppauge: Nova Science Publishers., 2010 – link
Schenker, N.M., Hopkins, W.D., Spocter, M.A., Garrison, A.R., Stimpson, C.D., Erwin, J.M., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. 2010. Broca’s area homologue in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): probabilistic mapping, asymmetry, and comparison to humans. Cerebral Cortex 20, 730-742., 2010 – link
Raghanti, M.A., Spocter, M.A., Stimpson, C.D., Erwin, J.M., Bonar, C.J., Allman, J.M., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. 2009. Species specific distributions of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the prefrontal cortex of anthropoid primates. Neuroscience 158, 1551-9., 2009 – link
Dayal, M.R., Spocter, M.A., & Bidmos, M.A. 2008. Sexual dimorphism of the skull of black South Africans by discriminant function analysis. Journal of Comparative Human Biology: HOMO. 59, 209-221., 2008 – link
Spocter, M.A., & Strkalj, G. 2007. Darwinian medicine: An evolutionary perspective to health and disease. South African Medical Journal. 97, 1044-1046. , 2007 – link
Spocter, M.A., & Manger, P.R. 2007. The use of cranial variables for the estimation of hominin body mass. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 134, 92-105, 2007 – link
2022 – Carnegie – Wits Alumni Diaspora Fellowship (2022-2023). Renewal of Project Funding: Mapping the brain of the African Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus) – A comprehensive description of the Somatomotor area: Host Institution: University of Witwatersrand, Professor Paul Manger. Partner Institution: Des Moines University, Dr. Muhammad Spocter. Funding USD $8,000
2022 – DUCURS 2022, 19th Annual Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences. Invited Keynote Speaker: Casting a wide net: The importance of diversity for the neurosciences. (location: Drake University, (Des Moines, Iowa USA) link
2019 – Carnegie – Wits Alumni Diaspora Fellowship Program (2019). Renewal of Project Funding: Mapping the brain of the African Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus) – Histochemical description of the limbic system. Host Institution: University of Witwatersrand, Professor Paul Manger. Partner Institution: Des Moines University, Dr. Muhammad Spocter.
2018 – Iowa Governor’s STEM BEST® (BUSINESSES ENGAGING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS) Award. The Neuro-SMART program has been recognized by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council as one of 50 innovative models in Iowa working to unite the workplace with the classroom. PI: Kacia Cain; Subaward: MA. Spocter.
2018 – Carnegie – Wits Alumni Diaspora Fellowship Program (2018). Mapping the brain of the African Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus) – Preliminary MRI and volumetrics. Host Institution: University of Witwatersrand, Professor Paul Manger. Partner Institution: Des Moines University, Dr. Muhammad Spocter.
2017 – Iowa Campus Compact, Engaged Campus Award: Honorable mention- Category: Civic Mission. In recognition of dedication to community engagement.
2016 – PI: M.A. Spocter. Kemin Industries: Human Nutrition and Health Division. Neuro-SMART (Neurosciences Student Mentoring and Research Training) Program – STEM Program for Des Moines High School Students
2016 – PI: M.A. Spocter. The Iowa Academy of Sciences Research Activity Support, Histological asymmetries in the amygdala of the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): Correlates with language areas and insights into neurodevelopmental disorders
2016 – Multicultural Affairs 2016 Diversity Champion Award, Multicultural Affairs DMU. In recognition of invaluable contributions to diversity and inclusive programming at Des Moines University.
2015 – Sub-award: M.A Spocter. PI: Kacia Cain (DMPS). Verizon Foundation Innovative Learning Grant: Brain Histology STEM Lab
2014 – PI: M.A. Spocter. The R&G IOER –FAC Award, Des Moines University, Neuropil distribution in the Cetartiodactyls: From donkeys to dolphins, a walk through time and neuropil space
2012 – PI: M.A. Spocter. The Iowa Academy of Sciences Research Activity Support, Mans’ best friend and the neural substrate supporting social cognition in canids: Domestication, convergent evolution and insights into the emergence of human sociality
2012 – PI: M.A. Spocter. The R&G IOER –FAC Award, Des Moines University, Mans’ best friend and the neural substrate supporting social cognition in canids: Domestication, convergent evolution and insights into the emergence of human sociality
2011 – PI: M.A. Spocter. IOER-FAC Startup Award, Des Moines University. Identifying the neurobiological mechanisms associated with individual and species differences in hemispheric specialization
2005 – PI: M.A. Spocter. The Paleontological Scientific Trust (PAST) Research Activity Support, The Panglossian paradigm revisited: The role of non-adaptive mechanism in hominid brain and body size evolution
2004 – PI: Paul Manger, Co-PI: M.A. Spocter. The National Research Foundation (NRF, South Africa) Grant Holder linked bursary for graduate study, The Panglossian paradigm revisited: The role of non-adaptive mechanism in hominid brain and body size evolution
2003 – PI: M.A.Spocter. Makapansgat Research Bursary in Paleoanthropology Wits University, Scaling of foramen magnum area and other cranial variables with body size
DMU Directories
Email Muhammad Spocter