Delaney Knorr, Ph.D.
About Me
Biological Anthropologist Researching Perinatal Health
I am currently a Postdoctoral Scholar
in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
at Duke University.
Click here for my CV.
Research Interests
My research explores how evolution shapes our bodies and minds to be at risk for disease. I apply this framework to the unique biopsychosocial experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.
Currently, I am working in the Pontzer lab on questions of metabolic limits of human pregnancy. We evaluate the physiological trade-offs within a limited energy budget and how these trade-offs may impact maternal-fetal health.
I completed my Ph.D. training at UCLA where I worked with several cohorts of Latina mothers to explore how stress from systemic inequalities (like discrimination) can impact perinatal health, including psychological distress (depression/anxiety) and placental physiology. I also explore how social relationships can buffer stress in the perinatal period.
These projects are described in more detail here.
Stress Embodiment During Pregnancy
Perinatal Social Support
Novel Measures of the Placenta
Metabolic Limits of Pregnancy
Stratified Reproduction and Abortion Stigma
Broader Impacts (Community Resource Projects)
Supporting Latina Mothers Project and Resource Webpage
Founder of the Supporting Mothers Project (Apoyando a Las Madres Latinas), which is a qualitative interview project and a resource webpage that houses of a wide-range of perinatal health and parenting resources catering specifically to a Latina audience.
"Meaning of Race" Courses and Resource Guides
Developed and led several iterations of a workshop aimed at Los Angeles middle school and high school teachers to approach the evolution from a place that acknowledges racism and racist histories of science, while trying to face misconceptions head-on.
UCLA Biological Anthropology DEI Working Group
I co-founded this group with other graduate students to take forward-looking action toward making amends for the harm biological anthropology has committed