Evolutionary Genetics

Regents Professor Anne Stone and Assistant Professor Eduardo Amorim are Research Scientists at the Institute of Human Origins whose research brings together genetics, archaeology and evolutionary theory to better understand the biological history of humans and other species. Their work spans both ancient and modern contexts, using cutting-edge genetic methods to investigate how populations have evolved, adapted and interacted over time.

Stone’s research focuses on anthropological genetics, with particular emphasis on the origins, population history and evolution of humans and primates. She is especially known for her work on ancient DNA and the development of forensic and analytical methods that allow researchers to study genetic material from the past. Her current projects examine the biological history of Native American populations, including Indigenous groups in Peru, as well as the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of primates such as chimpanzees and bonobos. In addition, she investigates the evolution of infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis, by studying the phylogeny of Mycobacteria in both ancient and contemporary samples.

Amorim’s research complements this work through an integrated approach that combines paleogenomics, population genetics and evolutionary biology to explore recent human evolution. His work focuses on how evolutionary forces — especially natural selection — have shaped human genetic diversity and health. A central theme of his research is human adaptation to pathogens and extreme environments, using genome-wide data from both ancient and present-day populations. He also reconstructs population history and migration patterns, with a particular focus on South America during the Holocene and Medieval Europe and examines biological relatedness in archaeological contexts to better understand kinship, mobility and social organization in past societies.

Together, their research programs extend beyond humans to broader questions about evolution across species. Stone’s work on primates and infectious disease intersects with Amorim’s studies of human–animal relationships, including the domestication and evolutionary history of dogs and other canids. Both researchers also engage with fundamental questions about how genetic and evolutionary processes—such as mutation, recombination, demography, and selection—shape diversity within and across populations. Their combined work offers a comprehensive perspective on evolution, illuminating the complex interplay between biology, environment and culture over time.