People

Fernando A Villanea

Research Interests: I am interested in understanding the genetic legacy of Neanderthals and other archaic human species. My work is focused on learning about the natural history of archaic species as observed through genetic data; including the ancient genomes sequenced from individuals long dead, as well as the small fragments of archaic DNA inherited in people living today. My favorite theoretical frame is the coalescent, my favorite method is computer simulation, and my favorite analysis tool is Approximate Bayesian Computation.

Interests outside the lab: I enjoy adventuring with my wife, hiking, olympic lifting, tabletop gaming, and science-fiction.

Michael E. Orellana Soto

I am a Chilean bioanthropologist. I got my bachelor’s degree in biological anthropology at Universidad de Concepcion and my master’s degree in Biological Sciences at Universidad de Chile. My research focuses on describing and analyzing the genetic variability of Native and mixed human population from America using different molecular markers and bioinformatics tools. Currently, I am studying genetic introgression in South American Camelids (SAC) and Native American populations.

Outside Academy, I like trekking, cycling, and running. I am fan of Tolkien’s World and dinosaurs. I love cats.

Nick Hartman

Research Interest: I am interested in Neanderthal adaptations and genetic admixture with Homo Sapiens, including how admixture helped Homo Sapiens adapt and thrive in new environments across the world. My work involves archaic and modern genomes, including analyzing the archaic DNA admixed into living humans today.

Interests outside of the lab: I like to read mysteries, crochet, and ride horses! 

Skye Barger

Research Interests: I am looking to examine long standing paleoanthropological questions through the lens of genetics. Neanderthals, like any extinct species, are known to us only through the traces they have left behind, so making the most of these materials to further our understanding of our extinct relatives is imperative. I am currently working on examining the Neanderthal variants of genes in the EDA pathway and their place in the broader pattern of variation in modern human genetics.

Interests outside of the lab: I enjoy sci-fi/fantasy novels (and am currently writing my own), gaming, and learning about the world and people around us!

Mia Chaw

Research Interests: I am interested in examining the role of introgression and ancient selective pressures on contemporary genetic disease pathogenesis. As a double major in MCDB and Anthropology, I am particularly interested in the molecular structures and biochemical processes that originate in archaic populations. My research utilizes archaic genomes in the database to inform our knowledge of modern genetic disease and molecular structure.

Interests outside of the lab: I love watching movies and reading science fiction novels, hanging out with my cat, and getting out to hike and climb with my friends in beautiful Boulder!

Kolondja Thillot

Kolondja Thillot is an undergraduate Research Assistant at the Villanea Lab and recipient of a BSI Summer Scholarship.

Research Interests: I am interested in understanding the genetic admixture events behind Homo sapiens evolution, the archaic African "ghost" populations still unidentified and the effects that archaic genetics have on variation between modern populations globally. My work is focused on learning about the natural history of ancient archaic populations via the genetic sequences conserved in us today!

Interests outside of the lab: I like to hang out with friends & family, read sociology books, go on runs, and play basketball.