Charles has a doctoral and master’s degree in biological anthropology from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in human ecology from the Free University of Brussels in Belgium. He is a paleoanthropologist who has worked extensively at Laetoli since 1996. His research work focuses on the use of functional morphology of ungulate limbs from paleoanthropological sites as ecological indicators. His previous work includes the evolution of upright posture and bipedal gait in humans with particular emphasis on the morphological interpretation of the 3.5 million years old Laetoli hominid footprints.