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Comparative neuroanatomy, evolution, brain, cytoarchitecture, biological anthropology, fossil, canids, primates, hominids,

Biography

I am a broadly trained biological anthropologist with a primary research interest in the comparative neuroanatomy of large brained, social species. I completed my graduate training at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa (Ph.D, 2007) and relocated to the USA where I completed my postdoctoral training at The George Washington University. In the Fall of 2011, I joined Des Moines University and established the Evolving Brain Laboratory (EBL) with the goal of expanding our understanding of mammalian brain evolution. I am passionate about community engaged scholarship and as a first generation college student I am an ardent supporter of initiatives that help to expand STEM education.

Activities

Employment (3)

Des Moines University : Des Moines , Iowa, US

2022-07-01 to present | Full Professor of Anatomy (tenured), Director of the Masters of Science in Anatomy (MSA) program (Anatomy) (Anatomy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Des Moines University: Des Moines, IA, US

2017-07-01 to 2022-06-30 | Associate Professor of Anatomy (tenured), Director of the Masters of Science in Anatomy (MSA) program (Anatomy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Des Moines University: Des Moines, IA, US

2011-08-01 to 2017-07-01 | Assistant Professor of Anatomy (tenure track), Director of the Masters of Science in Anatomy (MSA) program (Anatomy) (Anatomy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Education and qualifications (5)

George Washington University: Washington, DC, US

2008-09-01 to 2011-06-01 | Postdoctoral Scientist and Research Associate (Anthropology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

University of California Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara, CA, US

2007-08-01 to 2008-08-01 | Lecturer and Project Scientist (Anthropology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg: Johannesburg-Braamfontein, Gauteng, ZA

2004-07-01 to 2007-06-24 | Ph.D. Human Biology (School of Anatomical Sciences)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: Johannesburg , ZA

2002 to 2004 | MSc Physical Anthropology (School of Anatomical Sciences)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: Johannesburg , ZA

1998 to 2002 | BSc Honours (Human Biology); BSc (Human Biology and Medical Cell Biology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Professional activities (8)

Brain Behavior and Evolution (Journal) : Basel, CH

2022-03-02 to present | Editorial Board
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Science Center of Iowa: Des Moines, IA, US

2019-06-15 to present | Executive Board Member
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Iowa State University: Ames, IA, US

2016-07-31 to present | Affiliate Assistant Professor (Biomedical Sciences)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI): Des Moines, US

2016 to present | IACUC (Chair, Member)
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

J.B. Johnston Club for Evolutionary Neuroscience: San Diego, California, US

2013-11-01 to present | Executive Committee Member, Program Committee (2017-2020), Principal Executive Officer (2021- present)
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Society for Neuroscience: Washington, DC, US

2010-10-01 to present | Regular Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

University of the Witwatersrand: Johannesburg-Braamfontein, Gauteng, ZA

2010-06-20 to present | Honorary Research Associate (Senior Researcher) (School of Anatomical Sciences)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Iowa Academy of Science: Cedar Falls, Iowa, US

2017-10-01 to 2020 | Executive Board Member
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Funding (8)

Carnegie - Wits Alumni Diaspora Fellowship: Mapping the Brain of the African Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus). - The sleep system

2022-06 to 2022-07 | Award
Carnegie Corporation of New York (New York, New York, US)
GRANT_NUMBER:

2022-001

Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Carnegie - Wits Alumni Diaspora Fellowship:Mapping the Brain of the African Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus)- Histochemical description of the limbic system

2019-06 to 2020-02 | Award
Carnegie Corporation of New York (NY, NY, US)
GRANT_NUMBER: 2019-001
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Bridging the gap between Science and Start-up! NeuroSMART: Joint science and business skills development

2018-10 to 2019-06 | Award
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council (Des Moines, Iowa, US)
Part of GRANT_NUMBER: 2018-001
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Carnegie - Wits Alumni Diaspora Fellowship: Mapping the Brain of the African Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus)- Preliminary MRI and volumetric analysis

2018-01 to 2018-03 | Award
Carnegie Corporation of New York (NY, NY, US)
Part of GRANT_NUMBER: 2018-001
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Neuro-SMART("Neurosciences Student Mentoring And Research Training") Program

2016-09 to 2021-09 | Grant
Kemin Industries (Des Moines, Central Iowa, US)
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Asymmetries in the amygdala of the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

2016-06 to 2017-06 | Grant
Iowa Science Foundation (Cedar Rapids, US)
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Brain Histology STEM Lab

2014-09 to 2016-01 | Grant
Verizon Foundation (New Jersey, US)
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Mans best friend: Domestication, evolution and the canid brain

2012-06 to 2013-06 | Grant
Iowa Science Foundation (Cedar Rapids, US)
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Works (50 of 71)

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Gray matter volume and asymmetry in Broca's and Wernicke's area homologs in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) using a probabilistic region of interest approach

NeuroImage
2025-02 | Journal article
Contributors: William D Hopkins; Muhammad A Spocter; Michele M Mulholland; Chet C Sherwood
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Predictive Methods and Probabilistic Mapping of Subcortical Brain Components in Fossil Carnivora.

The Journal of comparative neurology
2025-01-01 | Journal article | Author
Contributors: Baer E; Nguyen PD; Lilly S; Song J; Yee M; Matz O; Rachna Sahasrabudhe; Hall DR; La S; Merritt BJ et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Comparative neuroimaging of the carnivoran brain: Neocortical sulcal anatomy

2024-10-31 | Preprint
Contributors: Magdalena Boch; Katrin Karadachka; Kep Kee Loh; R Austin Benn; Lea Roumazeilles; Mads F Bertelsen; Paul R Manger; Ethan Wriggelsworth; Simon Spiro; Muhammad A Spocter et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Comparative neuroimaging of the carnivoran brain: Neocortical sulcal anatomy

2024-06-03 | Preprint
Contributors: Magdalena Boch; Katrin Karadachka; Kep Kee Loh; R. Austin Benn; Lea Roumazeilles; Mads F. Bertelsen; Paul R Manger; Ethan Wriggelsworth; Simon Spiro; Muhammad A. Spocter et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Comparative anatomy of the caudate nucleus in canids and felids: Associations with brain size, curvature, cross‐sectional properties, and behavioral ecology

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2024-05 | Journal article | Author
Part of ISSN: 0021-9967
Part of ISSN: 1096-9861
Contributors: Michael Foster; Sai Dwibhashyam; Devan Patel; Kanika Gupta; Olivia C. Matz; Brendon K. Billings; Kathleen Bitterman; Mads Bertelson; Cheuk Y. Tang; Rogier B. Mars et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Nuclear parcellation and numbers of orexinergic neurons in five species of larger brained birds

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2024-03 | Journal article
Contributors: Pedzisai Mazengenya; Muhammad A. Spocter; Paul R. Manger
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Neuropil variation in the prefrontal, motor, and visual cortex of six felids.

Brain, behavior and evolution
2024-02-14 | Journal article
Contributors: Nelson J; Woeste EM; Oba K; Bitterman K; Billings BK; Sacco J; Jacobs B; Sherwood CC; Manger PR; Spocter MA
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Resequencing of the TMF-1 (TATA Element Modulatory Factor) regulated protein (TRNP1) gene in domestic and wild canids.

Canine medicine and genetics
2023-11-15 | Journal article
Contributors: James Sacco; Starr E; Weaver A; Dietz R; Spocter MA
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Orexinergic neurons in the hypothalami of an Asiatic lion, an African lion, and a Southeast African cheetah

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2023-02 | Journal article
Contributors: Demi Oddes; Ayanda Ngwenya; Illke B. Malungo; Anita Burkevica; Therese Hård; Mads. F. Bertelsen; Muhammad A. Spocter; D. Michael Scantlebury; Paul R. Manger
Source: check_circle
Crossref

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
2022-08-23 | Journal article
Contributors: Muhammad Spocter
Source: check_circle
Crossref

The Effect of Huntington’s Disease on the Basal Nuclei: A Review

Cureus
2022-05 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Sex estimation from dimensions of the base of the skull in Black South Africans.

Anthropologischer Anzeiger; Bericht uber die biologisch-anthropologische Literatur
2022-02-22 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

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
2021 | Journal article
Contributors: Muhammad Spocter
Source: check_circle
Crossref

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
2021-11 | Journal article
Contributors: Jordan Swiegers; Adhil Bhagwandin; Busisiwe C. Maseko; Chet C. Sherwood; Therese Hård; Mads F. Bertelsen; Muhammad A. Spocter; Zoltán Molnár; Paul R. Manger
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Amplification of potential thermogenic mechanisms in cetacean brains compared to artiodactyl brains.

Scientific Reports
2021-03-09 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

The brain of the African wild dog. II. The olfactory system

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2020-12-15 | Journal article
Contributors: Samson Chengetanai; Adhil Bhagwandin; Mads F. Bertelsen; Therese Hård; Patrick R. Hof; Muhammad A. Spocter; Paul R. Manger
Source: check_circle
Crossref

The brain of the African wild dog. III. The auditory system

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2020-12-15 | Journal article
Contributors: Samson Chengetanai; Adhil Bhagwandin; Mads F. Bertelsen; Therese Hård; Patrick R. Hof; Muhammad A. Spocter; Paul R. Manger
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Amplification of potential thermogenetic mechanisms in cetacean brains

BioRxiv
2020-10 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Reproducibility of leftward planum temporale asymmetries in two genetically isolated populations of chimpanzees (pan troglodytes)

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
2020-09-31 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The brain of the African wild dog. IV. The visual system

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2020-07-31 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The brain of the African wild dog. I. Anatomy, architecture, and volumetrics

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2020-07-21 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Brain gyrification in wild and domestic canids: Has domestication changed the gyrification index in domestic dogs?

The Journal of comparative neurology
2020-06-27 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Adaptation

Springer, Cham
2020-05-18 | Encyclopedia entry
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Evolutionary Medicine

Springer, Cham
2020-04-21 | Encyclopedia entry
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Human Visual Neurobiology

Springer, Cham
2020-04-07 | Encyclopedia entry
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The evolution of tool use

Springer, Cham
2020-03-19 | Encyclopedia entry
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Comparative neocortical neuromorphology in felids: African lion (Panthera leo leo), African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus), and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus).

The Journal of comparative neurology
2019-11-21 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The brain of the tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). VI. The brainstem and cerebellum

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2019-10-15 | Journal article
Contributors: Aminu Imam; Adhil Bhagwandin; Moyosore S. Ajao; Muhammad A. Spocter; Paul R. Manger
Source: check_circle
Crossref
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Hypothesis Video: Cetaceans and the concept of relative abundance. Go2Science Educational videos

https://www.go2science.com
2019-03-24 | Other
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Comparative morphology of gigantopyramidal neurons in primary motor cortex across mammals

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2018 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85035114568

Part of ISBN:

10969861 00219967

Contributors: Jacobs, B.; Garcia, M.E.; Shea-Shumsky, N.B.; Tennison, M.E.; Schall, M.; Saviano, M.S.; Tummino, T.A.; Bull, A.J.; Driscoll, L.L.; Raghanti, M.A. et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter via Scopus - Elsevier

Hands of living San resemble those in palaeolithic stencils, not modern Europeans

Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa
2018 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85028525478

Contributors: Pettigrew, J.D.; Bhagwandin, A.; Spocter, M.A.; Dell, L.-A.; Davimes, J.; Manger, P.R.
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter via Scopus - Elsevier

Hippocampal neurogenesis in the C57BL/6J mice at early adulthood following prenatal alcohol exposure

Metabolic Brain Disease
2018 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Neuropil Distribution in the Anterior Cingulate and Occipital Cortex of Artiodactyls

The Anatomical Record
2018-11 | Journal article
Contributors: Muhammad A. Spocter; Jeremiah Fairbanks; Lisa Locey; Amy Nguyen; Kathleen Bitterman; Rachel Dunn; Chet C. Sherwood; Simon Geletta; Leigh‐Anne Dell; Nina Patzke et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The brain of the tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). II. The olfactory system

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2018-11 | Journal article
Contributors: Aminu Imam; Adhil Bhagwandin; Moyosore S. Ajao; Muhammed A. Spocter; Amadi O. Ihunwo; Paul R. Manger
Source: check_circle
Crossref
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Scaling of the corpus callosum in wild and domestic canids: Insights into the domesticated brain

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2018-10-15 | Journal article
Contributors: Muhammad A. Spocter; Ashraf Uddin; Johnny C. Ng; Edmund Wong; Victoria X. Wang; Cheuk Tang; Bridget Wicinski; Jordan Haas; Kathleen Bitterman; Mary Ann Raghanti et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Nuclear organisation 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
2017 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85029691064

Contributors: Sweigers, J.; Bhagwandin, A.; Spocter, M.A.; Kaswera-Kyamakya, C.; Gilissen, E.; Manger, P.R.; Maseko, B.C.
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter via Scopus - Elsevier

Brain Size and Intelligence

Springer, Cham
2017-09-01 | Encyclopedia entry
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

The Evolution of the Brain

Springer, Cham
2017-07-01 | Encyclopedia entry
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter

Cetacean brains

The Curated Reference Collection in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology
2016 | Book chapter
EID:

2-s2.0-85079566533

Contributors: Spocter, M.A.; Patzke, N.; Manger, P.R.
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter via Scopus - Elsevier

Organization of the sleep related neural systems in the brain of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2016-11-08 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

Organization of the sleep related neural systems in the brain of the Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata).

Journal of Comparative Neurology
2016-11-08 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

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
2016-11-08 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

A framework for embracing variation and diversity in minicolumn structure

Recent Advances on the Modular Organization of the Cortex.
2015 | Book chapter
EID:

2-s2.0-84943613103

Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Orexinergic bouton density is lower in the cerebral cortex of cetaceans compared to artiodactyls.

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy
2015-07 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

In contrast to many other mammals, cetaceans have relatively small hippocampi that appear to lack adult neurogenesis

Brain, Structure & Function
2015-05 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 1863-2653
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

Microbats appear to have adult hippocampal neurogenesis, but post-capture stress causes a rapid decline in the number of neurons expressing doublecortin.

Neuroscience
2014-09 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

The Cerebral Cortex of the Pygmy Hippopotamus, Hexaprotodon liberiensis (Cetartiodactyla, Hippopotamidae): MRI, Cytoarchitecture, and Neuronal Morphology.

The Anatomical Record
2014-01 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the microanatomy of the African elephant cerebellar cortex

Brain Behavior & Evolution
2013 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 00068977
EID:

2-s2.0-84874290336

Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The continuously growing central nervous system of the nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

The Anatomical Record
2013 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 19328486 19328494
EID:

2-s2.0-84884280539

Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The evolutions of large brain size in mammals: The 'Over-700-gram club quartet'

Brain Behavior & Evolution
2013 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 00068977
EID:

2-s2.0-84883194217

Source: Self-asserted source
Muhammad A. Spocter
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎
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