Current Research Projects

Bahamas Population History

Research project conducted in partnership with Bahamian scholars that investigates the genetic history of the Bahamian population, with a primary focus on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA to better understand the population's origins, especially its ancestral connections to Africa. Complementing this research, autosomal DNA is also examined by Fernanda (PhD student) to provide broader insights into evolutionary processes such as genetic drift and natural selection.

A Preliminary Biocultural Study of High-Altitude Adaptations in the Peruvian Andes

Nicole's current project investigates how native Andean plants and animals have genetically adapted to life in high-altitude environments. By focusing on species such as Muña (Minthostachys mollis) and Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus), this research examines altitude-specific genetic variations and their role in shaping broader ecological and human adaptation in the region. Through DNA analysis and field sampling across. multiple locales in the Peruvian Andes, her project seeks to understand how these organisms’ genetic resilience informs our understanding of human adaptation and survival in low-oxygen conditions.