About Me
I’m a biological anthropologist and data scientist with expertise spanning human biological variation, environmental health, and applied data analytics. My career bridges academic research, federal agencies, and industry, where I’ve led technical projects that integrate biological data, policy analysis, and computational methods to address complex questions in public health, international science policy, and social equity.
My academic research has examined human adaptation and variation across multiple biological systems – from developmental stress and climate adaptation to biomechanics of the skull and postcranial skeleton, genetic epidemiology of West Nile Virus, and the evolution and ecology of human olfaction. I’m particularly interested in how environmental change shapes human biology and creates health inequities, including Anthropocene-induced sensory inequities.
Throughout my career, I’ve applied data analytics to diverse questions, from population genetics and biomechanics to policy research and international science strategy. Over the past five years, my analytical focus has shifted toward natural language processing, network analysis, bibliometrics, and predictive modeling for policy applications. My recent work has centered on international science and technology policy, analyzing global R&D trends, research collaboration networks, and the relationship between democracy, education, and governance. I’ve developed interactive applications and analytical pipelines to evaluate program impact, forecast shifts in global research leadership, and examine connections between women’s empowerment and demographic outcomes.
My technical toolkit includes R, Python, and SQL for statistical analysis and modeling, with expertise in Bayesian methods, machine learning, geospatial analysis (QGIS, ArcGIS), phylogenetic analysis, text mining and NLP, network analysis, and interactive data visualization using Shiny and Quarto. I use GitHub for version control and collaborative development. I’m experienced in managing large datasets, building ETL pipelines, and developing reproducible analytical workflows that translate complex data into actionable intelligence and compelling visual narratives.
I thrive in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments and have experience mentoring students, coordinating multi-institutional research teams, and communicating complex findings to diverse audiences – from academic peers to policy stakeholders. Whether leading technical analyses, designing research strategies, or serving as a bridge between research and application, I’m driven by work that combines rigorous science with real-world impact.
ORCID | Google Scholar | GitHub
Selected Publications
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2025). Market integration in the Hadza. Journal of International Development. DOI
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2023). Odorant receptor variation in Homo. iScience. DOI
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2022). Occipital bone activity patterns. American Journal of Human Biology. GitHub
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2022). Surveillance, trust and policing at music festivals. Canadian Geographer. DOI
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2020). Smelling in the wild. American Journal of Human Biology. GitHub
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2018). Linear enamel hypoplasia in Early Archaic Texas. PeerJ. DOI
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2018). CCR5 variation in Homo. PLoS ONE. DOI
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2018). Early Holocene hunter-gatherer hands and feet. PeerJ. DOI
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2016). Regional diet and mandibular morphology in Japan. Quaternary International. DOI
Hoover, K.C. et al. (2015). OR7D4 global survey. Chemical Senses. DOI
See full list on Google Scholar or ORCID.