About the AAAG


Founded in 1994, the American Association of Anthropological Genetics (AAAG) is an educational and scientific organization whose mission is to:

1)  Promote the study of anthropological genetics, as this field is broadly defined;

2)  Facilitate communication between individuals engaged in the study of anthropological genetics; and

3)  Foster cooperation among anthropological geneticists.

AAAG meetings are in conjunction with the annual meetings of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists and the Human Biology Association.

You may download a copy of the AAAG bylaws here.

The official publication of the AAAG is Human Biology.

News and Announcements


If you have job opportunity, workshop, anthropological genetics resource, or another item of interest to AAAG members that you'd like to list on our site, please contact us!

The AAAG is not responsible for and does not endorse the following announcements, but merely provides them as information to its members.


JOB DESCRIPTION - POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - April 16, 2013

The Department of Anthropology at Yale University invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher to join a collaborative project on primate evolutionary genetics. For more information see the full advertisement here.


AAAG EVENTS IN KNOXVILLE - "TEACHING WORKSHOP: GENOMICS AND ANTHROPOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM"
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - April 03, 2013

Please see the posting below for updated schedule information.
For more information, please contact Paul Babb at (pbabb@mail.med.upenn.edu).


ANNOUNCING THE AAAG EVENTS AT THE 2013 AAPA MEETINGS IN KNOXVILLE
ELLEN QUILLEN & BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - March 07, 2013


The 2013 AAPA Meetings in Knoxville (April 10-13) will mark the biggest year yet for the AAAG, with educational and networking events in addition to the annual symposium and business meeting. Please share this information with your colleagues who may be interested in attending these events. Events are open to non-members except where noted.

AAAG Elections: Call for Nominees
Elections for a new Vice President will be held in late March with a term running from April 2013-April 2014. The VP will assume the presidency the following year. To be eligible for the VP position, a candidate must be a current AAAG member in good standing. The VP is responsible for organizing the AAAG symposium and assisting the president in day-to-day operations of the AAAG. The president coordinates with AAAG officers and committees to oversee all AAAG functions, runs the student prize competition, oversees elections, and represents the AAAG in Human Biology.

To nominate yourself or a fellow member, please e-mail Andrew Kitchen (andrew-kitchen@uiowa.edu) and PJ Perry (ghp3@psu.edu) by March 22.

Outstanding Student Presentation Prize: Call for Nominees
We are pleased to announce the 2013 American Association of Anthropological Genetics' (AAAG) Outstanding Student Presentation Awards. Up to two Outstanding Student Presentation in Anthropological Genetics (OSPAG) prizes will be given for the best poster or podium presentations at the AAPA or HBA annual meetings. Each awardee will receive a $200 cash prize and a one-year subscription to the journal Human Biology. Student presenters who meet the following two requirements are eligible for consideration:
1. You are the lead author on your presentation and you are the one presenting (either podium or poster).
2. You are a AAAG member by the April 3rd submission deadline (see http://www.anthgen.org/aaag_membership.html).
If you are unsure of your current membership status, please email Ellen Quillen (equillen@txbiomedgenetics.org).

Email Deborah Bolnick (deborah.bolnick@austin.utexas.edu) by April 3, 2013 to be considered, and include your presentation title, abstract, and the time and date of your presentation in your email.

Networking Event: Space is Limited, Register Now
Thursday, April 11 4-5:30pm in 300AB
After the success of last year's networking event, we have decided to hold a second event at this year's meetings. This event for AAAG members only will give you an opportunity to spend 5 minutes chatting with each of 15 other members in a casual atmosphere plus two 15 minute sessions based on research area. If you are interested in finding a new position, recruiting graduate students or postdocs, starting collaborations, or just want to get to know your fellow genetic anthropologists better, this is the event for you. To ensure that individuals will be matched with discussion groups and one-on-one conversations based on their interests, pre-registration is required at http://www.planetreg.com/E3511174162493.
The event is free, but only the first 30 registrants will be accepted due to space limitations. Please contact Ellen Quillen (equillen@txbiomedgenetics.org) with any questions about the networking event.

Teaching Workshop: Genomics and Anthropology in the Classroom
Wednesday, April 10 2-5pm in 300B (**not 1:00 PM as in AAPA Program)
The "Genomics and Anthropology in the Classroom" workshop will provide participants with strategies for teaching next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and concepts in anthropological classes. The workshop will target a non-technical audience, and will feature speakers consisting of investigators directly involved in genomic research and educators who have integrated such research into their teaching regimens. This session has the potential to benefit anyone teaching in biological anthropology so please invite your colleagues. The workshop will consist of three (3) one-hour sessions. The first session will provide an overview of NGS technologies. The second session will feature an exploration of the intersection between genomics and anthropological questions using specific case studies drawn from exciting lines of current research in paleogenomics, human population demography, and selection/adaptation in humans and primates. The third session will feature a discussion session addressing the practical issues of implementing genomics into an anthropology classroom. This session is open to all interested parties who are registered for the AAPA, Paleopathology or HBA meetings.

Workshop Schedule:
2:10 PM Session 1: Introduction on the promise of NGS for anthropology, John Blangero
2:40 PM Session 1: Electronic genomic resources, Paul Babb
2:50 PM Break
3:00 PM Session 2: Paleogenomics, John Hawks
3:15 PM Session 2: Human adaptation/selection (skin pigmentation), Heather Norton
3:30 PM Session 2: Human-virus evolution and paleovirology, Maulik Patel
3:45 PM Session 2: Human adaptation/selection (altitude), Laura Scheinfeldt
4:00 PM Session 2: Human population history and demography, Ryan Raaum
4:15 PM Break
4:20 PM Session 3: Panel discussion: Deborah Bolnick, Joe Lorenz, Laura Scheinfeldt, Heather Norton, Omer Gokcumen

For more information, please contact Paul Babb at (pbabb@mail.med.upenn.edu).

Symposium: Infectious Disease in Humans and Other Primates - Origins, Dynamics and Evolution
Thursday, April 11 8am-12pm in Ballroom A
This year's AAAG Symposium (organized by Anne Stone and Drew Kitchen) will focus on infectious diseases. The history of infectious disease in humans (and to a lesser extent other primates) has been studied from different perspectives including those of bioarchaeology, medical history, and evolutionary genetics. Technical advances in nucleotide sequencing as well as in the ability to obtain genetic material from difficult sources (such as feces and ancient materials) have enhanced our ability to examine both ancient pathogens and pathogens that are difficult to isolate in nature. Additionally, significant advances in analytic methods have improved our ability to address questions about the evolutionary dynamics of important pathogens, such as the time of pathogen emergence or host jumps, biogeographic patterning, and the impacts of natural selection (both in the host and the pathogen). These advances have combined to provide critical insight into the intimate relationship of primates and their pathogens across multiple evolutionary timescales, from the ancient origins of malaria and lice to the recent emergence of HIV and SARS coronavirus. In this symposium, we bring together researchers to consider our rapidly evolving understanding of pathogens and parasites in the evolutionary history of their human and primate hosts.

Business Meeting and Cocktail Hour
Friday, April 12 8-9pm in Room 301A
The annual business meeting is a great way to keep up with AAAG events and get involved in planning for the next year. The meeting is open to both members and non-members and will be followed by a cocktail hour in 301B for members to get to know each other in a relaxed environment. Cocktail hour sponsored by Illumina.

Panel Discussion: Postdoctoral Training in Anthropological Genetics
Saturday, April 13 2pm-4pm in 301B
The Postdoctoral Training in Anthropological Genetics panel aims to provide doctoral students interested in evolutionary anthropology and population genetics with a general introduction to postdoctoral training. Experts from across the field of anthropological genetics with different postdoctoral experiences will discuss several topics, including choosing and planning the postdoctoral training, maintaining the "right" work-life balance and transitioning into a faculty position. We hope that the panel provides a casual discussion platform regarding postdoctoral opportunities in anthropological genetics. Discussants and more information can be downloaded here.


OPEN POSITION REMINDER: Journal Editor
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - March 07, 2013

Human Biology: The International Journal of Population Genetics and Anthropology(the official journal of the American Association of Anthropological Genetics) is now accepting applications or nominations for the position of Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for soliciting and revising manuscripts for publication. In addition, the Editor-in-Chief is responsible for communication with authors; making editorial decisions regarding acceptance, rejection, and the extent of revision of reviewed manuscripts; and securing copyright agreements from authors of accepted manuscripts. The Editor-in-Chief has final responsibility for the editorial content of Human Biology.
Please let appropriate candidates know about the position & see the full announcement here.

POSITION IN PRIMATE GENOMICS: Stony Brook University
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - February 04, 2013

As an initial appointment in an interdepartmental initiative in Human Evolutionary Biology, Stony Brook University invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the level of Assistant Professor, beginning September 2013. The successful candidate for this position will have an outstanding research program, a commitment to excellence in teaching, and will participate along with our recent hire in human population genetics in a new undergraduate initiative in Human Evolutionary Biology coordinated with the Department of Anthropology.
For additional information, please see the full position announcement.

POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: University of Texas at Austin
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - February 03, 2013

The Molecular Anthropology Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher to study genetic diversity in contemporary and ancient Native Americans. This research is part of a funded project investigating the impact of European contact on Native American genomic diversity and disease prevalence. Responsibilities will include the generation and analysis of genomic data, manuscript preparation, and helping to mentor graduate and undergraduate students involved in the project. The position includes a competitive salary and benefits and is available for at least one year, with the possibility of extension.
Please direct inquiries to Dr. Deborah Bolnick and additional information can be found here.

AAAG LOGO CONTEST: Submissions Are In & Voting Is On!
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - February 01, 2013

Voting is now open to select a new AAAG Logo! You can vote by "liking" your favorite on our facebook page. Voting will close on February 08, 2013.

HUMAN SOCIOGENOMICS POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: University of Illinois
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - January 31, 2013

The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, seeks candidates who examine the interdependence of biology and social behavior, with a particular interest in human sociogenomics, to fill multiple faculty positions in the social and behavioral sciences. To ensure full consideration, application materials should be received by March 15, 2013. Interviews may take place prior to the close date, however no decision will be made until after the close date. The target start date is August 16, 2013 but is negotiable. To apply, create your candidate profile through jobs.illinois.edu and upload application materials: application letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for at least three references. For additional information, please see the position flier.

LOGO CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT: Extended Deadline
AAAG OUTREACH COMMITTEE - January 15, 2013

To give everyone a little more time to get caught up after the holidays, we have extended the submission deadline for the AAAG Logo Contest. Please feel free to submit your logo ideas until January 31, 2013. They will be posted on Facebook starting on January 22nd and as they are received after January 22. All other important dates for the contest remain the same. For additional information, please see our flier or email Anne Justice at anne.justice@unc.edu.


AGAR ANNOUNCEMENT: Extended Deadline
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - November 29, 2012

The 2013 AGAR Workshop will be accepting registrations until December 7, 2012. Please see the Workshop Page for applications details.


PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: PRIDE program in Cardiovascular Genetic Epidemiology at Washington University, St. Louis
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - November 21, 2012

The Programs to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) were established to provide junior scientists, whose backgrounds are currently under-represented in biomedical research, with opportunities to gain the knowledge and tools they need to carry out independent and meaningful research and advance their careers. The initiative is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
The program consists of a fully-funded Summer Institute Training Program for three weeks during each of two consecutive summers with didactic course work and hands-on practical training in genetic epidemiology, specific training and coaching in grant writing skills, and year-long mentoring by recognized experts in the field.

For further information, please see http://www.biostat.wustl.edu/pridecc/about-pride/who-we-are/cardiovascular-genetic-epidemiology/.


OPEN POSITION REMINDER: Anthropological Genetics at Washington University, St. Louis
BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT - November 02, 2012

This is a reminder of an open position in Anthropological Genetics at Washington University, St. Louis. The position is in the Anthropology Department but interactions with Biology on the Danforth Campus and the Genome Sciences Center, Genetics Department, Biostatistics, and other geneticists on the Medical Campus are encouraged. Participation in the Anthropology Graduate Program and the cross-campus Evolution, Ecology, and Population Biology Program and the Human and Statistical Genetics Program is available. While we will be beginning evaluating applicants now, it is still not too late to apply.
Please let appropriate candidates know about the position & see the full announcement here.


AAAG at the ASHG
ANNE JUSTICE - OCT. 29, 2012

Where: the View Lounge
When: Wednesday, November 7th from 7-9 PM at the bar.
This is a very informal meet-up, so feel free to come and go as you like.
Please RSVP on the Facebook Event Page.


New AGAR Workshop: January 10-11, 2013, San Antonio
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - October 10, 2012

The Application of Genetics to Anthropological Research

Organized by the American Association of Anthropological Genetics (AAAG) Education Committee in collaboration with the Texas Biomedical Research Institute.
The Application of Genomics to Anthropological Research (AGAR) Workshop aims to provide students and scholars interested in evolutionary anthropology with a thorough introduction into the theory and application of state-of-the-art genomic research. The workshop will be led by experts from across the field of human genomics, and will consist of a combination of highly-focused lectures and workshops to help participants gain experience in analyzing whole-genome data.

For more information, or to register for the 2013 workshop, please visit the AGAR 2013 Workshop page.

New AAAG Logo Competition
ANNE JUSTICE - October 01, 2012
We would like to formally invite members and non-members in the Anthropological and Genetic community to submit their own designs an compete to have their design showcased on our webpage. These submissions will then be voted on by AAAG members and selected as our new logo! The design should convey the goals of the AAAG in a creative and fun way. Submissions will be accepted after October 15, 2012 and before January 14, 2013 at 5:00 PM EST., by email to Anne Justice at anne.justice@unc.edu. For more information and contest rules see the official flier.

Post-Doctoral Position Announcement
OMER GOKCUMEN - June 07, 2012
The University of Arizona Genetics Core (UAGC) in cooperation with Michael Hammer’s Lab in the ARL Division of Biotechnology at the University of Arizona is seeking a post-doctoral fellow: please follow this link for further information.

2012 AAAG Student Prize
 GRACIELA CABANA - April19, 2012
Congratulations to Carrie Veilleux and Aaron Sams for each winning a 2012 AAAG student prize award. Carrie Veilleux of the University of Texas at Austin (with Edward E. Louis and Deborah A. Bolnick) presented “Genetic evidence of widespread differential selection for color vision among nocturnal lemurs.” Aaron Sams of the University of Wisconsin-Madison presented “Natural selection and celiac disease.” Each prize winner received a $200 cash prize and a one-year subscription to the journal Human Biology. The AAAG once again thanks Human Biology’s publisher Wayne State University Press for donating journal subscriptions. For details, please see this page.

Statistical Genetics Training Opportunity Announced
 BRIDGET ALGEE-HEWITT- April 16, 2012
The University of Washington announces openings for the 17th Summer Institute in Statistical Genetics on July 9-27, 2012. The brochure is available for download here.

Genetics-related PhD scholarship available
 DIANE WARREN - March 20, 2012
Dr. Chris Turbill is looking for applicants for a PhD scholarship to work on a project using telomere loss in a mouse model to detect a physiological cost of life history trade-offs. The student will work with Dr. Turbill at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment in the University of Western Sydney, and also in collaboration with Professor Rob Brooks at the University of New South Wales. Please see the pdf flier for more details.  The deadline for application is April 30, 2012.  

Postdoc Opportunity at the University of Oregon
 GRACIELA CABANA - February 28, 2012
The Department of Anthropology and the Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IE2) at the University of Oregon invite applications for a post-doctoral researcher to study the relationships among genetics, environmental change, demography, and disease transmission in wild non-human primates. More information can be found here.

AAAG Networking Events at our April meeting in Portland, OR
ELLEN QUILLEN - February 17, 2012
The AAAG outreach committee is pleased to announce two new networking events at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists’ annual meeting in Portland, Oregon.  On Thursday, April 12, from 4pm to 5:30 pm, AAAG will be hosting a members-only speed networking event to facilitate interactions between members who may be looking for a new position, interested in collaborating, or simply wanting to meet their fellow members.  Due to limited space and to maximize interactions between participants, prior registration is required and will be limited to only 40 participants.  You can register for free at this site. 

On Friday, April 13, immediately following the AAAG business meeting, Human Biology will be co-hosting a cocktail hour from 8-9pm.  Everyone interested in anthropological genetics is welcome.  This promises a relaxing opportunity to catch up with other members and to meet with some of the many new members who have joined since last year’s meeting.  We look forward to seeing you at one or both of these events in April.

2012 AAAG symposium update
DEBORAH BOLNICK - January 20, 2012
The schedule of papers to be presented at our 2012 AAAG symposium, "Innovation, Challenges, & New Directions in Genetic Research with Indigenous Populations," is now available. The symposium will take place on April 12 in conjunction with the AAPA annual meeting in Portland, OR. General information on our meetings is here. 

Welcome to our new members, and membership renewal reminder
GRACIELA CABANA - January 18, 2012
The AAAG extends a warm welcome to our new members, and a welcome back to our members who just renewed their membership.  Membership in the AAAG is by calendar year (January 1 - December 31), so be sure to renew your membership soon. Membership information is here. 

2012 AAAG symposium and business meeting
DIANE WARREN - January 18, 2012
The 2012 AAAG symposium, "Innovation, Challenges, & New Directions in Genetic Research with Indigenous Populations," will take place on Thursday, April 12th from 8 a.m. to noon in Portland, OR in conjunction with the annual meeting of the AAPA. The AAAG business meeting will take place the evening of Friday, April 13th.  Information on these and other associated AAAG events is forthcoming. Please see the AAPA web site for general information on the meeting.  

Application of Genomics to Anthropological Research (AGAR) workshop
DIANE WARREN - January 18, 2012
The AAAG Education Committee in collaboration with the Texas Biomedical Research Institute held the Application of Genomics to Anthropological Research (AGAR) Workshop in San Antonio, TX from January 9th - January 10th, 2012. Very big thanks to all of the organizers, attendees and sponsors for a great workshop! The workshop provided students and scholars interested in evolutionary anthropology with a thorough introduction into the theory and application of state-of-the-art genomic research. It was also a great networking opportunity. The AAAG looks forward to future workshops.  We'll keep everyone posted. 

AGAR workshop group photo
AGAR workshop participants
(image links to much larger version)

New Human Biology subscription rates for 2012
DIANE WARREN - October 10, 2011
AAAG members can subscribe to Human Biology at a discount. There will be a slight increase in the Human Biology subscription and international shipping rates for 2012. The new rate schedule is now reflected on our membership page. Unless you request otherwise, Wayne State University Press and AAAG are now applying subscription requests to the 2012 volume. 

Electronic subscriptions to Human Biology are now available
DM WARREN - APRIL 17, 2011
We encourage our members to subscribe to and to submit manuscripts to our official journal, Human Biology.  Wayne State University Press recently implemented electronic subscriptions to the journal.  Electronic subscriptions include access to back issues.  AAAG member discounts are available for both electronic and print subscriptions to the journal.  For information on subscribing to the journal as a part of your membership, please see this page.  Current members can add a journal subscription to their membership or change from a print to an electronic subscription by emailing the AAAG Secretary Treasurer. 
AAAG 2008 Symposium
2008 AAAG Annual Symposium Participants