Lab Alumni
For the alumni of the laboratory, information about their projects, theses, dissertations and current work are included in short bios for them.
Postdoctoral Fellows & Technicians
![miguel_01](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/miguel_01.jpg)
Dr. Miguel Vilar
Postdoctoral Fellow, PennPORT Program, School of Medicine, 2010-13
Research: Genographic Project.
Status: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland.
![Zhadanov, Sergey I MD](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/233322.jpg)
Dr. Sergey Zhadanov
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2005-11
Research: Genographic Project and Mitochondrial Disease Project.
Status: Diagnostic Radiologist, Marshfield Clinic, Inc., Wisconsin.
![Amanda-Owings-2](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Amanda-Owings-2.jpg)
Dr. Amanda Owings
Research Specialist, 2008-12.
Research: Genographic Project.
Status: Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Anthropology, Emory University
Visiting Scholars
![Muhammad Tariq copy](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Muhammad-Tariq-copy.jpg)
Muhammad Tariq
Ph.D., Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan, 2016.
Dissertation: “Genetic Analysis of the Major Tribes of Buner and Swabi Areas through Dental Morphology and DNA Analysis.”
Co-Advisor: Dr. Habib Ahmad, Department of Genetics, Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan.
Status: Assistant Professor, Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia College Peshawar, Pakistan.
![1517557938748](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1517557938748.jpg)
Ayken Askapuli
M.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2012.
Thesis: “Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroup C Phylogeny for Altaian Populations and Its Implications for the Peopling of Siberia and the Americas.”
Status: PhD Student, Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin
![Screen Shot 2022-10-03 at 9.30.08 PM](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-03-at-9.30.08-PM-234x300.png)
Ines Badano
Ph.D., University of Misiones, Posadas, Argentina, 2008.
Dissertation: “Epidemiology of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection among Native Communities (Guarani Indians) from Misiones, Argentina.”
Advisor: Dr. Domingo Liotta, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina.
Status: Associate Professor, Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina.
Ph.D. Students
![Friedrich Photo](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Friedrich-Photo--e1622580931382-908x1024.jpg)
Volney Friedrich
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2023
Dissertation: “Mitochondrial Background in HPV Positive Individuals from the Philadelphia Area”
Status: Postdoctoral Fellow
![Kralick](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Kralick-e1622580998875.jpg)
Alexandra Kralick
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2023
Dissertation: “Orangutan Osteobiography: Skeletal Morphology and Flanging in Pongo spp”
Status: Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard GenderSci Lab
![aylar](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/aylar.jpg)
Aylar Abdolahzedah
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2022
Dissertation: “Understanding the Patterns of Fire Use among Middle and Late Pleistocene European Hominins: Burned Lithics and Bones as Two Indirect Indicators of Fire Use.”
Status: Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Human Origins, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University
![Oakley Photo](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Oakley-Photo-scaled-e1622580747981.jpeg)
Elizabeth Oakley
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2022
Dissertation: “From Einstein to Everyday Life: Investigating the Cultural Domains of Science in Museums.”
Status: Biology and History Teacher, Merion Mercy Academy, Merion, PA.
![Fleskes Photo](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fleskes-Photo-scaled-e1622580846822.jpeg)
Raquel Fleskes
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2021.
Dissertation: “Archaeo-Genomics of 17th & 18th Century Eastern North America: Insights Into European Colonization and the African Diaspora.”
Status: NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Anthropology, University of Connecticut.
![1557092998047](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1557092998047.jpg)
Meagan Rubel
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2019.
Dissertation: “Effects of Diet and Parasites on the Gut Microbiota of Diverse Sub-Saharan Africans.”
Co-Advisor: Sarah Tishkoff, Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania.
Status: Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Translational Imaging and Precision Medicine, UC-San Diego
![Icon in Svaneti Natl Museum Cropped](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Icon-in-Svaneti-Natl-Museum-Cropped-1024x977.jpg)
Aram Yardumian
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2015.
Dissertation: “Genetic Diversity in Svaneti and the Highland Western Caucasus.”
Status: Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Anthropology, Bryn Athyn College.
![Jill Gaieski in Bermuda](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jill-Gaieski-in-Bermuda.jpg)
Jill Gaieski
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2013.
Dissertation: “Native Bermudians and their Indigenous North American Heritage: The Anthropologies of a Diasporic, Postcolonial, Descendant Community.” Co-Advisor: Robert Schuyler, Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania.
Status: Senior Research Program Manager, Department of Family Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
![dulik-matt](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dulik-matt.jpg)
Matthew Dulik
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2012.
Dissertation: “A Molecular Anthropological Study of Altaian Histories Utilizing Population Genetics and Phylogeography.”
Status: Director, Division of Genomic Diagnostics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania.
![1517739238690](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1517739238690.jpg)
Paul Babb
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2012.
Dissertation: “Molecular Evolution of Vasopression and Oxytocin Receptor Genes in Owl Monkeys (Aotus azarai) of Northern Argentina.”
Co-Advisor: Dr. Eduardo Fernandez-Duque, Department of Anthropology, Yale University.
Status: Research Scientist, Takara Bio USA,, Inc.
![1599504034648](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1599504034648.jpg)
Ömer Gökçumen
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2008.
Dissertation: “Ethnohistorical and Genetic Survey of Four Central Anatolian Settlements.”
Status: Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Buffalo.
![samararubinstein](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/samararubinstein.jpg)
Samara Rubinstein
Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, Temple University, 2006.
Dissertation: “Russian Old Believers: Genetic Consequences of Their Isolation, as Shown by Mitochondrial DNA Evidence.”
Co-Advisor: Jonathan Friedlaender, Department of Anthropology, Temple University.
Status: Content Curator, Akademische Rätin auf Zeit, Biotopia – Naturkundemuseum Bayern, Münich, Germany.
![image_2021-05-05_115810](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/image_2021-05-05_115810.png)
Louise Tiranoff
Ph.D., American Civilization Program, University of Pennsylvania, 2004
Dissertation: “The Evolution of a Communication Tool: Autism Spectrum Disorders Risk Alert (ASDRA) – A Case Study of GeneticaLens”
Co-Advisor: Dr. Melvin Hammarberg, Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania
Status: Founder/Managing Director, GeneticaLens
Master’s Students
![photo](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/photo.jpg)
Aisha Chughtai
M.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2023.
Thesis: “Future States: Frameworks for Understanding Community Care and the Radical Renewal of Health, Life and Politics in Pakistan.”
Research: Medical anthropology and epidemiology of Pakistani communities
![AkshayWaliaPhoto](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AkshayWaliaPhoto.jpg)
Akshay Walia
M.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2019.
Thesis: “Borders Demarcated at the Molecular Level Incorporation of Genetic Testing in the Refugee Admissions Process.”
Research: Caucasus Genetic History Project and the Genographic Project, 2010-15.
![1620659636015](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1620659636015.jpg)
Sarah Hatz
M.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2011.
Thesis: “Neandertal Dental Hypoplasias and Other Dental Markings: Implications for the Relationship between Neandertals and Modern Humans.”
Status: Clinical Trial Manager, Advanced Accelerator Applications, a Novartis Company, Millburn, NJ.
![lindo-bio](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/lindo-bio.jpg)
John Lindo
M.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2010.
Thesis: “Sexually Dimorphic Calls in the Owl Monkey (Aotus azarai): Evidence for an Alarm Function against Adult Replacement.”
Advisor: Eduardo Fernandez-Duque, Department of Anthropology, Yale University.
Research: Genographic Project, 2009-10.
Status: Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Emory University
![dulik-matt](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dulik-matt-216x300.jpg)
Matthew Dulik
M.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2005.
Thesis: “An Osteometric Study of Human Remains for Level IV B and Hasanlu Iran.”
Status: Director, Division of Genomic Diagnostics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania.
![Icon in Svaneti Natl Museum Cropped](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Icon-in-Svaneti-Natl-Museum-Cropped-1024x977.jpg)
Aram Yardumian
M.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2005.
Thesis: “Who are the Anatolian Turks?”
Status: Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Anthropology, Bryn Athyn College.
Undergraduate Students
![1622555022562](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1622555022562.jpg)
Yanu Kume-Kangkolo
B.A., Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 2021.
Research: Georgia Genetic History Project, ASABG Project (Charleston) Project, 2020-21.
Status: TBD
![1529364783765](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1529364783765.jpg)
Redate Kibret
B.A., Department of Geography and Anthropology, Bryn Athyn College, 2020.
Research: Georgia Genetic History Project, ASABG Project (Charleston), and the Chesapeake Genetic History Project, 2019-20.
Status: TBD
![Adeyemi Oduwole](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Adeyemi-Oduwole.jpg)
Adeyemi Oduwole
B.A., Department of Biology, College of Charleston, 2019.
Research: Anson Street African Burial Ground Project, 2018-19.
Status: Masters in Public Health Student, Icahn School of Medicine, Temple University.
![1532565344641](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1532565344641.jpg)
Brian Sajorda
B.A., Departments of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 2017.
Research: Georgia Genetic History Project, 2016-17.
Status: Medical Student, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC.
![200-taryn](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/200-taryn.jpg)
Taryn MacKinney
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2017.
Thesis: “Mitochondrial DNA Diversity of Saint Vincent and Trinidad and Its Implications for Caribbean Settlement History.”
Status: Investigative Researcher, Union of Concerned Scientists.
![1595945286722](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1595945286722.jpg)
Ari Coopersmith
B.A., Department of Anthropology, Swarthmore College, 2017.
Research: Genographic Project, 2016-17.
Status: Medical Student, University of California-San Francisco Medical School.
![Sanders.akiva_](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sanders.akiva_.jpg)
Akiva Sanders
B.A., Departments of Biology & Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2016.
Research: Georgia Genetic History Project and the Genographic Project, 2015-16.
Status: Doctoral Student, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago.
![hannah-cabot-c454c3f7](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/hannah-cabot-c454c3f7.jpg)
Hannah Cabot
B.A., Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 2016.
Thesis: “Reconstructing the Population History of the Huichols of Central Mexico through Mitochondrial DNA Analysis.”
Status: Consultant, Putnam & Associates, London.
![Daniel Brooks 2](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Daniel-Brooks-2.jpg)
Daniel Brooks
B.A., Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 2015.
Thesis: “Genetic Variation in Native Mexican Populations.”
Status: Pediatrics-Medical Genetics Resident, Baylor College of Medicine.
![DSC_7201 copy](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DSC_7201-copy-199x300.jpg)
Kimby Rosenthal
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2015.
Research: Genographic Project and medical genetics projects, 2013-15.
Status: TBD
![Andrew Azzam Photo](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Andrew-Azzam-Photo.jpg)
Andrew Azzam
B.A., Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 2015.
Research: Georgia Project, Genographic Project, Mito disease Project, 2014-15.
Status: Medical Student, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
![Brianna Gardner](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Brianna-Gardner.jpg)
Brianna Gardner
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2014.
Research: Genographic Project, 2011-13.
Status: PhD Student, Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
![DSC_7201 copy](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DSC_7201-copy-199x300.jpg)
Joice Pedroso Santos
B.A., Department of General Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 2014.
Research: Genographic Project, 2013-14. Status: TBD
Haleigh Zillges
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2013.
Thesis: “The Genetic History of the Otomi in the Central Mexican Valley.”
Status: J.D. Candidate and Research Fellow, Fordham University Law School.
![20160622205158_rfggwoexcrjihmd_20100928181433](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20160622205158_rfggwoexcrjihmd_20100928181433.jpg)
Kristi Edleson
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2013.
Research: Georgia Genetic History Project, 2012-13.
Status: National Healthcare Recruiter, The Judge Group.
![Rosa-Zedek-headshot-detail](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Rosa-Zedek-headshot-detail-1.jpg)
Rosa Zedek
B.A., Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 2012.
Research: Genographic Project, 2011-12.
Status: Designer, OJB Landscape Architecture, Philadelphia.
![resident_Shobana_Ramasamy_ramasasl](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/resident_Shobana_Ramasamy_ramasasl.jpg)
Shobana Ramasamy
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2012.
Research: Genographic Project, 2011-12.
Status: MD, Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
![AF1QipNQ7pn9Ofwc7AP_G2YoXXAhzw5sw5eSuK3Rt_I=w960-h1280](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AF1QipNQ7pn9Ofwc7AP_G2YoXXAhzw5sw5eSuK3Rt_Iw960-h1280-240x300.jpg)
Jennifer Tinsman (née Crick)
B.A., Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, 2012.
Research: Behavioral Genetics of Owl Monkeys Project, 2011-12.
Status: Senior Research Fellow, UCLA Center for Tropical Research.
![Ryan_Zahalka](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Ryan_Zahalka.jpg)
Ryan Zahalka
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2012.
Research: Genographic Project, 2011-12.
Status: Resident, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
![1516964046307](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1516964046307.jpg)
Rachel Gittelman
B.A., Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 2011.
Thesis: “The Role of ALDH3A1 Variation in Climatic Droplet Keratopathy in the Mapuche Indians of Argentina.”
Labwork: Genographic Project. Status: Manager, Computational Biology – Antigen Map, Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp., Seattle, WA.
![1516818228474](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1516818228474.jpg)
Lydia Gau
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2011.
Thesis: “ADH Variation in Indigenous Altaian Populations.”
Status: Manager, PepsiCo, White Plains, NY.
![Thomas Vierbuchen](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Thomas-Vierbuchen.jpg)
Thomas Vierbuchen
B.A., Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 2011.
Research: Mitochondrial Disease Project, 2006-08.
Status: Assistant Professor, Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
![DSC_7157 copy](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DSC_7157-copy-199x300.jpg)
Kevin Keating
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2010.
Research: Conducted research for the Genographic Project, 2009-10.
Status: Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging Nurse, BluePearl Veterinary Partners.
![Annick McIntosh](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Annick-McIntosh.jpg)
Annick McIntosh
B.A., Department of Biology, Haverford College, 2010.
Thesis: “Prolactin Receptor Variation in Platyrrhine Primates: Implications for Understanding the Biological Basis of Paternal Care Behavior.”
Status: Owner/Tutor, Trouvaille Personalized Test Preparation Company.
![1517581182581](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1517581182581.jpg)
Priscilla Peyrot (née des Gachons)
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2010.
Research: XXXXX Project, 2oo9-10.
Status: Writer and Associate Producer, CNN.
![45348365](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/45348365.jpg)
Lenore Pipes
B.A., Departments of Anthropology & Biology, Swarthmore College, 2008.
Biology Thesis: “Anthropology and Genetic History of Ethnic Groups in Mongolia.”
Anthropology Thesis: “TAS2R38 (PTC) Haplotypes in Altaian Populations from South-Central Siberia.”
Status: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California-Berkeley; also a road cyclist racing for UCI Women’s Pro Team Bepink.
![0OpIn93h_400x400](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/0OpIn93h_400x400.jpg)
Athma Pai
B.A., Departments of Anthropology & Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 2007.
Thesis: “The Genetic History of the Saraswat Brahmins: Origins and Affinities with Indian Populations.”
Status: Assistant Professor, RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School.
![Sen_AslihanSQUARE-9d9a667686113dabd5280d6020e6725f](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sen_AslihanSQUARE-9d9a667686113dabd5280d6020e6725f.png)
Aslihan Sen
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2006.
Thesis: “The Genetic History of the Karachay.”
Status: MD and Resident, Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama-Birmingham.
![nishi_mehta_resized](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/nishi_mehta_resized.jpg)
Nishi Mehta
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2004.
Thesis: “Mitochondrial DNA Variability in Russian Old Believer Populations,”
Status: MD and Fellow in Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical School.
![Maggie-Cocca Today](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Maggie-Cocca-Today.png)
Maggie Cocca
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2004.
Thesis: “Mitochondrial DNA Variability in Ethnic Russians Living in Siberia Mitochondrial DNA Variability in Ethnic Russians Living in Siberia.”
Status: Emergency Medicine Resident, New York University School of Medicine.
![1517739238690](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1517739238690.jpg)
Paul Babb
B.A., Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 2003.
Research: Aleut mtDNA Diversity Project.
![DSC_7237 copy](https://schurrfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DSC_7237-copy-199x300.jpg)