Dr. Beall is a physical anthropologist whose special interests are human growth and development, aging, human adaptability and medical ecology. She previously conducted research on growth and development and infant morbidity/mortality in Andean populations, high altitude hypoxia and aging in Nepal and Bolivia and physical activity, physical fitness and aging in Nepal. Her current research in Tibet is on high-altitude human adaptability and aging and diet. Professor Beall is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.