Jennifer A.
Leonard
My research interests lie in the effect of changes in the environment on the genetic diversity of natural populations, with emphasis on the temporal perspective using ancient DNA. I apply this research to fundamental questions in evolution, conservation and domestication. Many major environmental and population/species level changes have occurred in rapid succession since the late Pleistocene, many of those occurring during the last millennia are human mediated (i.e. the “discovery” of the New World, historic predator control programs, changes in land use..). Recent advances in molecular genetics enable DNA to be obtained from many bone remains spanning this age range. These techniques have opened the possibility of being able to look at genetic changes in these populations directly as the environment changed. It is now possible to apply powerful population genetics techniques to these past populations to complement demographic and ecological studies.