Current Research Projects

One of the current projects of the NYU Molecular Anthropology Lab aims to better understand the evolutionary history of baboons in genus Papio via their genetics. The lab has completed many studies on the phylogeny and population history of baboons, and a recent focus is on the little-known Kinda baboon. We are using new "next-generation" DNA sequencing techniques such as RAD-seq to explore baboon population genetics, especially in hybrid zones.
The lab is applying new methods in phylogenetics to numerous primate taxa. Aided by advances in next-generation sequencing, we can now infer multi-locus phylogenetic trees using gene tree / species tree approaches.
The genetics of the recently-discovered Lesula (Cercopithecus lomamiensis) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were analyzed in the NYU Molecular Anthropology Lab.
The lab is applying new methods in phylogenetics to numerous primate taxa. Aided by advances in next-generation sequencing, we can now infer multi-locus phylogenetic trees using gene tree / species tree approaches.
The genetics of the recently-discovered Lesula (Cercopithecus lomamiensis) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were analyzed in the NYU Molecular Anthropology Lab.
Past Research Projects

Previous research in the NYU Molecular Anthropology Laboratory has spanned the order Primates. Some highlights include the following:
- Primate divergence dating
- Research into baboon hybrid zones
- Galago systematics and phylogenetics
- Baboon phylogenetics and population genetics
- Phylogeny of the paraphyletic mangabeys
- Use of Alu retrotransposons as phylogenetic markers in primates
- Phylogeny of spider monkeys, genus Ateles
- Mitochondrial phylogeny of squirrel monkeys, genus Saimiri
- Inference of diet composition through metagenomics
- Lanscape genetics and conservation of squirrel monkeys, genus Saimiri
- Phylogeny of the guenons, genus Cercopithecus
- Population genetics of humans
- Insight into the Neandertal-human hybridization debate
- Chimpanzee population genetics
Visiting Researchers' Projects

Columbia University student Su-Jen Roberts is studying patterns of paternity and kinship in blue monkeys, researching kin biases using the decades of behavioral data from Kakamega, Kenya.
Emily Aranoff and Lisa Danish are studying relatedness in olive baboons in central Kenya and seeing how it correlates with behavior.
Jessica Moody and Colleen McCann of the Wildlife Conservation Society are exploring the conservation genetics of langurs in genus Trachypithecus.
Tara Clarke of the University of Victoria is examining the effect of fragmented forests on male dispersal and population genetics of ring-tailed lemurs.
Emily Aranoff and Lisa Danish are studying relatedness in olive baboons in central Kenya and seeing how it correlates with behavior.
Jessica Moody and Colleen McCann of the Wildlife Conservation Society are exploring the conservation genetics of langurs in genus Trachypithecus.
Tara Clarke of the University of Victoria is examining the effect of fragmented forests on male dispersal and population genetics of ring-tailed lemurs.