Lecturer in Human Evolutionary Genetics
Office: BS 4.37 James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF
+44 0151 231 2614
R.Martiniano@ljmu.ac.uk
Research Interests
The main focus of my work is to investigate past demography using ancient DNA. Ancient DNA contains crucial information about the history of our species and, when integrated with existing genetic and archaeological data, can provide valuable insights about the main demographic processes which have shaped human populations through time. My main interests are 1) generating and analysing ancient DNA sequence data from various locations and time-periods to understand how populations have changed and admixed throughout time and 2) to develop computational methods for maximizing the information that can be obtained from highly degraded ancient DNA data.
If you are interested in working in ancient DNA and are looking for a PhD or postdoctoral position, please contact me at: R.Martiniano@ljmu.ac.uk.
Current Research Projects
Our research group focuses on generating and analysing ancient DNA sequence data from ancient remains in order to study past migration and population history. We currently have several ongoing projects dedicated to different archaeological sites around the world, including Arabia, the Iberian Peninsula and Britain
Development and application of computational tools for ancient DNA analysis
Ancient DNA data is highly degraded, and this poses great challenges for population genetic analyses and inference. One of the focus of my group is to develop ancient DNA-aware computational methods from maximizing the information that can be extracted from ancient DNA data and minimize error and bias.
Previous Research Projects and Academic Activities
Rui’s previous academic activities include:
- National Geographic Early Career Grant: 2019-2020
- EMBO Long-Term Fellowship: 2017-2019
Associations
Research Centre for Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology 