Hendrik Poinar obtained his BS and MS at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, he went on to do a PhD in evolutionary genetics under Dr. Svante Paabo then at the Ludwig Maximillians Universitat in Munich.

He then completed a postdoc at Oregon State University under Dr. Steve Giovanonni in microbial genetics after which he took a postdoctoral fellowship at the newly formed Max Planck Institute for evolutionary genetics in Leipzig Germany.

Hendrik Poinar is particularly interested in the preservation and extraction of DNA from forensic, archeological and paleontological remains. How can DNA persist in environments past its theoretical “time limit”? Once extracted our group likes to use the gene sequences to address questions of evolution, phylogeny, selection and biogeography.

Hendrik Poinar obtained his BS and MS at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, he went on to do a PhD in evolutionary genetics under Dr. Svante Paabo then at the Ludwig Maximillians Universitat in Munich.

He then completed a postdoc at Oregon State University under Dr. Steve Giovanonni in microbial genetics after which he took a postdoctoral fellowship at the newly formed Max Planck Institute for evolutionary genetics in Leipzig Germany.

Hendrik Poinar is particularly interested in the preservation and extraction of DNA from forensic, archeological and paleontological remains. How can DNA persist in environments past its theoretical “time limit”? Once extracted our group likes to use the gene sequences to address questions of evolution, phylogeny, selection and biogeography.

After completing my studies in Biology and receiving my Masters degree, I started working at the Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig (Germany), specifically in Svante Pääbo’s Ancient DNA group.

That was also when I met Dr. Hendrik Poinar with whom I worked on a variety of projects. After he was offered a position at the McMaster University and established the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre, I followed him to Canada in 2003.

During the last couple of years I have been involved in different projects dealing with the recovery and analysis of DNA from ancient fossils (e.g. coprolites) and modern samples. This has included the analysis of an 11,700-year-old rodent midden from the Atacama desert, as well as a genetic analysis of paleofeces from three Native Americans in which we determined their mitochondrial DNA haplotype and various components of their diets. I have also been involved in exploring the origins and evolution of HIV.

At present my focus is on measuring genetic change in time-series paleofaecal samples from a number of Holocene packrat middens. I am also involved in a Xenarthran-wide phylogenetic study using both modern and ancient sloth, armadillo, and anteater remains from across the planet.

After completing my studies in Biology and receiving my Masters degree, I started working at the Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig (Germany), specifically in Svante Pääbo’s Ancient DNA group.

That was also when I met Dr. Hendrik Poinar with whom I worked on a variety of projects. After he was offered a position at the McMaster University and established the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre, I followed him to Canada in 2003.

During the last couple of years I have been involved in different projects dealing with the recovery and analysis of DNA from ancient fossils (e.g. coprolites) and modern samples. This has included the analysis of an 11,700-year-old rodent midden from the Atacama desert, as well as a genetic analysis of paleofeces from three Native Americans in which we determined their mitochondrial DNA haplotype and various components of their diets. I have also been involved in exploring the origins and evolution of HIV.

At present my focus is on measuring genetic change in time-series paleofaecal samples from a number of Holocene packrat middens. I am also involved in a Xenarthran-wide phylogenetic study using both modern and ancient sloth, armadillo, and anteater remains from across the planet.

Debi’s research focuses on understanding the origin and evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV-1, Group M, through the analysis of a collection of over 200 archival blood, serum and tissue samples collected from Africa, Haiti and North America.

This “viral archeology” involves a synthesis of molecular, epidemiological, socioecological and historical approaches. An extensive investigation of archival documents and journals relating to Africa from pre-colonial time to mid-1980 is an integral part of her research as well.

She began this project at the Max Planck Institute of Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, working with the Ancient DNA Group while studying viral behavior and the emergence of HIV-1 in Africa. The human immunodeficiency virus is one of the fastest mutating organisms in the world.

To reconstruct the emergence of this viral pathogen a comprehensive landscape needs to be drawn comprising historical, social and environmental conditions, along with the molecular analysis of “fossil” HIV-1 strains.

Archival viral sequences will provide an in-depth knowledge of the genome in it’s early stage, allowing us, in collaboration with Ken Rosenthal, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, to target specific epitopes that my aid in vaccine development.

Debi’s research focuses on understanding the origin and evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV-1, Group M, through the analysis of a collection of over 200 archival blood, serum and tissue samples collected from Africa, Haiti and North America.

This “viral archeology” involves a synthesis of molecular, epidemiological, socioecological and historical approaches. An extensive investigation of archival documents and journals relating to Africa from pre-colonial time to mid-1980 is an integral part of her research as well.

She began this project at the Max Planck Institute of Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, working with the Ancient DNA Group while studying viral behavior and the emergence of HIV-1 in Africa. The human immunodeficiency virus is one of the fastest mutating organisms in the world.

To reconstruct the emergence of this viral pathogen a comprehensive landscape needs to be drawn comprising historical, social and environmental conditions, along with the molecular analysis of “fossil” HIV-1 strains.

Archival viral sequences will provide an in-depth knowledge of the genome in it’s early stage, allowing us, in collaboration with Ken Rosenthal, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, to target specific epitopes that my aid in vaccine development.

Throughout most of my research career I have been working on ancient DNA of extinct proboscideans (elephants and their relatives). It started during my master at the University of Mainz, Germany, where I analyzed highly degraded material from extinct European straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon antiquus) in an attempt to elucidate their phylogenetic position – albeit without a lot of success.

I followed up on this project during my PhD at the University of Potsdam, Germany, and worked on several other projects in the field of paleogenetics with a focus on proboscidean (e.g. Mediterranean dwarf elephants and South American gomphotheres). During my first Post-Doc at the University of Iceland I took a short break from proboscideans and worked on whole genomes of White-tailed eagles, looking at population genetics and the interactions between mitochondrial DNA and the W chromosome.

Here in Canada, I’m once again focusing on proboscideans in an attempt to get a genus-wide paleogenetic overview of Middle to Late Pleistocene extinct straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon) to infer their phylogeography and patterns of admixture. These elephant lived in temperate to tropical regions and went extinct more than 30,000 years ago, making DNA recovery highly challenging.

Throughout most of my research career I have been working on ancient DNA of extinct proboscideans (elephants and their relatives). It started during my master at the University of Mainz, Germany, where I analyzed highly degraded material from extinct European straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon antiquus) in an attempt to elucidate their phylogenetic position – albeit without a lot of success.

I followed up on this project during my PhD at the University of Potsdam, Germany, and worked on several other projects in the field of paleogenetics with a focus on proboscidean (e.g. Mediterranean dwarf elephants and South American gomphotheres). During my first Post-Doc at the University of Iceland I took a short break from proboscideans and worked on whole genomes of White-tailed eagles, looking at population genetics and the interactions between mitochondrial DNA and the W chromosome.

Here in Canada, I’m once again focusing on proboscideans in an attempt to get a genus-wide paleogenetic overview of Middle to Late Pleistocene extinct straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon) to infer their phylogeography and patterns of admixture. These elephant lived in temperate to tropical regions and went extinct more than 30,000 years ago, making DNA recovery highly challenging.

I completed MD training alongside a PhD in Biological Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. My PhD research was in paleoparasitology and focused on applying diverse methods to characterize and understand parasite infections in the Roman Empire. While working in the Ancient Parasites Lab at the University of Cambridge I was more broadly involved in projects identifying parasite infection throughout the human past.

I am now a Medical Microbiology Resident at McMaster University and am jointly undertaking postdoctoral research through the Clinician Investigator Program. My current work focuses on developing ancient DNA methods to be used in paleoparasitology to better understand the presence, temporal changes, and evolution of human parasites. My research ultimately aims to understand parasite transmission in the past while also using parasites to gain insights into how climate, diet, human-animal interactions, and migration impact parasite infections through time.

I completed MD training alongside a PhD in Biological Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. My PhD research was in paleoparasitology and focused on applying diverse methods to characterize and understand parasite infections in the Roman Empire. While working in the Ancient Parasites Lab at the University of Cambridge I was more broadly involved in projects identifying parasite infection throughout the human past.

I am now a Medical Microbiology Resident at McMaster University and am jointly undertaking postdoctoral research through the Clinician Investigator Program. My current work focuses on developing ancient DNA methods to be used in paleoparasitology to better understand the presence, temporal changes, and evolution of human parasites. My research ultimately aims to understand parasite transmission in the past while also using parasites to gain insights into how climate, diet, human-animal interactions, and migration impact parasite infections through time.

I completed my undergraduate degree in Forensic Science at Trent University in 2021. At Trent I worked in an Environmental Archaeology laboratory focusing on the optimization of bone sample pre-treatment in preparation for stable isotope analysis.

I am currently an MSc student in the Biochemistry department working on method development to enhance the extraction and sequencing of RNA viruses in formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. In future, I hope to implement these methods to access the mostly inaccessible wealth of information on ancient pathogens stored in FFPE tissue collections

I completed my undergraduate degree in Forensic Science at Trent University in 2021. At Trent I worked in an Environmental Archaeology laboratory focusing on the optimization of bone sample pre-treatment in preparation for stable isotope analysis.

I am currently an MSc student in the Biochemistry department working on method development to enhance the extraction and sequencing of RNA viruses in formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. In future, I hope to implement these methods to access the mostly inaccessible wealth of information on ancient pathogens stored in FFPE tissue collections

As a second-year Biochemistry student at McMaster University, taking Plagues and People was an important contributor in developing my research interests. It was the first time I realized my interest in the biological basis of disease and the ways in which pathogens have evolved alongside human societies. That course led me to pursue a concurrent B.A. (Hons) in Anthropology alongside my B.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry, letting me work hands-on with biological samples while also studying the broader contexts in which diseases emerge.

Over the next couple years, as a research student, RA, USRA, and thesis student, I focused on the evolution of Yersinia pestis during the Black Death and the Second Pandemic. I became particularly interested in how the bacterium established long-term reservoirs across the world and what genetic changes made this possible. This work developed into my undergraduate thesis, which examined Y. pestis’ acquisition of the ymt gene during the Bronze Age and how this enabled flea-mediated transmission of bubonic plague to humans. Through this process, I became increasingly aware of the technical limitations of working with ancient DNA and the need for better-optimized methods. That realization shaped my decision to shift toward RNA viral research for my Master’s degree. 

My current project focuses on developing and optimizing methods to extract ancient viral RNA from sediment and latrine samples. While this work is closely connected to our research at the Ancient DNA Centre, what excites me most is its broader potential. I hope these methods can be applied to other low-copy-number or highly degraded samples, helping us recover nucleic acids that would otherwise be inaccessible and, in turn, better understand how infectious diseases have evolved over time and continue to impact us today.

As a second-year Biochemistry student at McMaster University, taking Plagues and People was an important contributor in developing my research interests. It was the first time I realized my interest in the biological basis of disease and the ways in which pathogens have evolved alongside human societies. That course led me to pursue a concurrent B.A. (Hons) in Anthropology alongside my B.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry, letting me work hands-on with biological samples while also studying the broader contexts in which diseases emerge.

Over the next couple years, as a research student, RA, USRA, and thesis student, I focused on the evolution of Yersinia pestis during the Black Death and the Second Pandemic. I became particularly interested in how the bacterium established long-term reservoirs across the world and what genetic changes made this possible. This work developed into my undergraduate thesis, which examined Y. pestis’ acquisition of the ymt gene during the Bronze Age and how this enabled flea-mediated transmission of bubonic plague to humans. Through this process, I became increasingly aware of the technical limitations of working with ancient DNA and the need for better-optimized methods. That realization shaped my decision to shift toward RNA viral research for my Master’s degree. 

My current project focuses on developing and optimizing methods to extract ancient viral RNA from sediment and latrine samples. While this work is closely connected to our research at the Ancient DNA Centre, what excites me most is its broader potential. I hope these methods can be applied to other low-copy-number or highly degraded samples, helping us recover nucleic acids that would otherwise be inaccessible and, in turn, better understand how infectious diseases have evolved over time and continue to impact us today.

I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario, where I completed a B.Sc. (Honours) in Genetics. My undergraduate research focused on the population/landscape genetics of North American butterfly populations.

As part of my M.Sc. in the Department of Biology, I am investigating viral diversity within the genus Orthopoxvirus by sequencing a wide variety of African mammal pelts housed at the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution). The goal of this work is to uncover potentially uncatalogued Orthopoxvirus diversity, with particular emphasis on finding viruses that may be informative in our understanding the evolution and origins of the genus’s most notorious member, smallpox.

I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario, where I completed a B.Sc. (Honours) in Genetics. My undergraduate research focused on the population/landscape genetics of North American butterfly populations.

As part of my M.Sc. in the Department of Biology, I am investigating viral diversity within the genus Orthopoxvirus by sequencing a wide variety of African mammal pelts housed at the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution). The goal of this work is to uncover potentially uncatalogued Orthopoxvirus diversity, with particular emphasis on finding viruses that may be informative in our understanding the evolution and origins of the genus’s most notorious member, smallpox.

I am trained as a biologist (B.Sc from Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2008 and M.Sc from Queen’s University, 2010) and completed my doctoral studies in evolutionary genetics with Mark Stoneking at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany.

My interests are broadly encompassed by molecular evolution and population genetics, by the historical inferences we can make from genetic analyses. In the past, I have used phylogenies and phylogeography of modern human populations to infer ancient migrations and population interactions.

My current research interests involve using ancient DNA studies to reconstruct the genome of historical pathogens to examine the evolution and epidemiology of disease in ancient human populations.

I am trained as a biologist (B.Sc from Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2008 and M.Sc from Queen’s University, 2010) and completed my doctoral studies in evolutionary genetics with Mark Stoneking at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany.

My interests are broadly encompassed by molecular evolution and population genetics, by the historical inferences we can make from genetic analyses. In the past, I have used phylogenies and phylogeography of modern human populations to infer ancient migrations and population interactions.

My current research interests involve using ancient DNA studies to reconstruct the genome of historical pathogens to examine the evolution and epidemiology of disease in ancient human populations.

My academic training is in archaeological science. I’m interested in the application of cross-disciplinary methods – particularly ancient DNA – to archaeological and palaeontological datasets.

My doctoral research utilized ancient environmental DNA to better understand ecological change associated with the Pleistocene-Holocene transition in Yukon, Canada.

Currently, I’m working on environmental DNA projects in the circumarctic and across North America to evaluate human ecodynamics and ecosystem evolution through time. My other main project is exploring the late survival of horses in North America using ancient environmental DNA.

I’m also working on methods projects for improving ancient DNA extraction and exploring pathogenic organisms from archaeological sites globally.

Previous research projects of mine include:

1. Re-evaluating Late Period projectile point typologies on the Northern Plains by statistically analyzing morphometric data obtained using digital scanning;
2. Investigating the antiquity of inter-regional contact between the Northwestern Subarctic and Northwest Coast using ancient DNA from alpine wooden biofacts
3. Evaluating the contamination potential of crossover immunoelectrophoresis for protein identification from lithic tools
4. Using phylogenetic variability in domestic dogs from Late Period sites on the Northern Plains to distinguish cultural-historic entities, and evaluate hypothesized migration routes

My current interests lie in the Late Quaternary Extinctions, the Peopling of the Americas, and hunter-gatherer lifeways in the circumpolar north.

My academic training is in archaeological science. I’m interested in the application of cross-disciplinary methods – particularly ancient DNA – to archaeological and palaeontological datasets.

My doctoral research utilized ancient environmental DNA to better understand ecological change associated with the Pleistocene-Holocene transition in Yukon, Canada.

Currently, I’m working on environmental DNA projects in the circumarctic and across North America to evaluate human ecodynamics and ecosystem evolution through time. My other main project is exploring the late survival of horses in North America using ancient environmental DNA.

I’m also working on methods projects for improving ancient DNA extraction and exploring pathogenic organisms from archaeological sites globally.

Previous research projects of mine include:

1. Re-evaluating Late Period projectile point typologies on the Northern Plains by statistically analyzing morphometric data obtained using digital scanning;
2. Investigating the antiquity of inter-regional contact between the Northwestern Subarctic and Northwest Coast using ancient DNA from alpine wooden biofacts
3. Evaluating the contamination potential of crossover immunoelectrophoresis for protein identification from lithic tools
4. Using phylogenetic variability in domestic dogs from Late Period sites on the Northern Plains to distinguish cultural-historic entities, and evaluate hypothesized migration routes

My current interests lie in the Late Quaternary Extinctions, the Peopling of the Americas, and hunter-gatherer lifeways in the circumpolar north.