logo

The LBA was founded in 1975, after the Student Health Center vacated its space and was relocated to a new facility. Administratively, the LBA was established as a research center of theGraduate School and the Research Sector of the University of Kansas.

In 1985, the Midwest Twin Registry was organized and housed in the LBA. Periodic twin fairs were held at the University of Kansas and in various locations throughout the State of Kansas and Iowa. The Editorial Office of the international journal, Human Biology, was added to the LBA in 1988 and remained there until 2000, when Professor Crawford stepped down as Editor-in-Chief.

Since its inception in 1975, the LBA has supported graduate and undergraduate students in their theses and Ph.D. dissertation research. Many of the graduates from the LBA have gone on to distinguished careers in biological anthropology, human genetics, and genetic epidemiology.


The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.