Ayshin Ghalichi

I am a population geneticist interested in the demographic history of ancient human populations and how their movements, interactions and environments shaped past societies. I have a background in archaeogenetics and computational biology, and I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Anthropology at the university of Texas at Austin. My research combines ancient DNA, archaeology and statistical modelling to reconstruct patterns of migration, admixture and social organization in prehistoric Eurasia. I am particularly focused on the genetic landscape of central Asia and the Caucasus during the Bronze and Iron Ages.      

Madina Seidualy

PhD student at University of Texas at Austin
Research interest: My research focuses on the population structure of Central Asian populations during the medieval period, including migration patterns, admixture events, and social organization. I aim to integrate ancient DNA analyses with archaeological and historical data to reconstruct demographic shifts and understand the genetic continuity and transformation in the region over time.

I got MSc at University of Edinburgh in Bioinformatics, and BSc in Biological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea.

Saida Tokmurzina

I am a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology working on aDNA and population genetics research. My research focuses on  natural selection and demographic history across Central Eurasia using both ancient and modern genomic datasets.

I received my B.S. in Biotechnology with a focus on genetics from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Before joining UT, I worked as a Senior Research Assistant in the Population Genetics Laboratory at the Institute of Genetics and Physiology in Almaty.

Cecilia Dotson

I am a third-year undergraduate pursuing a B.S.A. in Biology. My primary research interests center on genetics, epigenetics, and DNA methylation. My current work involves investigating genetic and epigenetic contributors to athletic performance, as well as examining the epigenetic consequences of maternal stress.

Noelle Garza

I am a senior biology major with a minor in anthropology. I will graduate in May and plan to pursue a masters degree in genetic counseling.

Jadyn Mays

I’m a fourth year anthropology major with an interest in evolution and genetics. My current work involves analysis of mitochondrial DNA using digital PCR. After graduation I plan on pursuing a PhD in anthropology with an emphasis in genetics to become a professor and researcher. 

TBA