Ancient DNA and the pre-colonial CaribbeanI am interested in characterizing the genetic diversity of ancient human communities from the Caribbean islands. My dissertation research examined pre-colonial migrations to the island of Puerto Rico, and elucidated the genetic links between ancient Indigenous communities and present-day islanders. My ancient DNA work re-evaluates existing models for the peopling of the Caribbean, explores the role of DNA in the maintenance of ancient inter-island interaction networks and broadens understanding of the biocultural relationship between present-day Puerto Ricans and ancient Indigenous populations. For this work I collaborate with William J. Pestle (University of Miami).
This research was funded by National Science Foundation DDIG in Archaeology Award BCS-1622479 (see public abstract here), by Sigma Xi and the Rust Foundation Grants in Archaeology Program Award RFF-2016-08 among other sources. |
Population history of present-day Caribbean islanders
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My research integrates genomics and anthropological perspectives to elucidate the population history of present-day Caribbean communities. Specifically, I am interested in examining how post-colonial processes of migration and admixture shaped the ancestry, culture and health of historically underrepresented or marginalized island groups. Currently I am combining high-resolution genome wide array data and ethnohistorical sources to investigate ancestry and identity among Afro-Caribbean communities in the Lesser Antilles. This research is in collaboration with Jada Benn-Torres (Vanderbilt University) and Andres Moreno-Estrada (LANGEBIO-CINVESTAV).
I have previously conducted research with Juan C. Martinez-Cruzado (University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez) investigating mitochondrial DNA diversity in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. |
I received funding from the ASU Center for Evolution and Medicine and the ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change for my research examining the genetics of Afro-Caribbean populations.
Adaptation, population structure and reproductive fitness in the Peruvian Andes
My postdoctoral research focused on examining fine-scale patterns of genetic diversity in traditional populations from the Peruvian Andes to characterize their demographic history and identify candidate loci under natural selection. This ongoing research also seeks to understand how genomic architecture and admixture influence susceptibility to preeclampsia in a high altitude environment. Overall, my work with Peruvian populations focuses on examining high-resolution genome wide data to characterize local patterns of population structure, critically reassess existing models for the original peopling of the Andes, and understand how ancient demographic processes shaped the genetic diversity of Indigenous Peruvian communities. We are also searching for genetic loci associated with preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy which is exacerbated by altitude and extremely common in the Andes. This work is in collaboration with Andres Moreno-Estrada and Karla Sandoval (LANGEBIO-CINVESTAV), Anne C. Stone (Arizona State University), Carla Gallo (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia), Verónica Rubin de Celis (Universidad Ricardo Palma), Elena Bosch (UPF), Carlos Bustamante and Julie Baker (Stanford University).
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Funding for this work was provided by National Science Foundation SBE Postdoctoral Fellowship Award SBE-1711982 (see public abstract here). |
Ancient DNA methods
I am interested in developing and optimizing laboratory protocols to obtain and increase endogenous ancient DNA yields from archaeological remains. Part of my dissertation research focused on researching and developing methods to aid DNA recovery in ancient and historic samples excavated from tropical contexts. I also recently collaborated with Dr. Maria C. Ávila-Arcos (LIIGH-UNAM) on developing more effective methods for enrichment in ancient samples. My work with Astrea Forensics/Claret Bioscience focused on applying ancient DNA methods from degraded DNA samples in other contexts.
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