Exploring the Mechanistic Underpinnings of Evolutionary Mismatch

Anthropology Colloquia: Exploring the Mechanistic Underpinnings of Evolutionary Mismatch

Audrey Arner is a biological anthropologist interested in how human evolutionary history and rapid ecological and cultural transitions shape fitness related traits. In particular, she uses genomic, anthropometric, and environmental data to characterize the molecular underpinnings of evolutionary mismatch. Her current work focuses on partnerships with subsistence-level populations currently undergoing environmental changes to 1) investigate the mechanisms underlying predicted cases of evolutionary mismatch, 2) develop models simulating fitness outcomes of alleles undergoing mismatch, and 3) create resources for participant communities interested in learning more about anthropological genomics research. Audrey received a B.S. in Biological Anthropology and a B.S. in Biology at Penn State and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University under the mentorship of Dr. Amanda Lea.