Anne researches the locomotion of Paleogene mammals. Over the course of the Cenozoic, mammals have diversified in locomotion to a greater extent than any other group, from fully aquatic whales and powered flight in bats to the fastest extant runners, cheetahs and pronghorn.
Her PhD research focuses on the functional morphology of lumbar vertebrae in relation to locomotion. Lumbar vertebrae are unique to mammals and play an important role in locomotion by facilitating flexing and bending in the back. Anne's research asks how this feature evolved during the post-KPg radiation of mammals and how its evolution relates to changes in locomotion.
She uses 3D scanning technology like CT scans and photogrammetry to compare lumbar morphology of mammals from completely extinct groups, like creodonts, with those of groups that have survived to modern day, like carnivorans (bears, dogs, cats, etc.). Analytical methods, like geometric morphometrics and digital range of motion experiments, allow for comparison of the 3D shape and function of the vertebrae.