Science Pub RVA #24
Oh The Humanity
Evidence of our origins in fossils and genes
Two scientists walked into an RVA bar and discussed how genetic variations and physical environments shaped our evolution. This was one of three programs offered in partnership with the Chesterfield County Public Library, host of the Smithsonian’s Exploring Humans Origins traveling exhibit which wass open to the public from March 31 to April 27, 2015.
Amy Rector Verrelli, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology in VCU’s Department of World Studies
Dr.Verreli’s primary research involves reconstructing paleoecological contexts for early human evolution in Africa, as well as identifying and analyzing fossil mammal communities to characterize their biogeographic and ecological affinities through space and time. Amy earned her B.S. at the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. at Arizona State University. Working with the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State, Dr. Rector Verrelli has been involved in field work in South Africa, Ethiopia and Morocco, and continues to take a VCU study abroad class to South Africa every summer.
Brian C. Verrelli, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in VCU’s Department of Biology & Center for the Study of Biological Complexity
Focusing on questions in human evolutionary biology, Dr. Verrelli investigates patterns of genetic variation within and among human populations in contrast to other species .This research is relevant to problems we face today in health and disease resistance/susceptibility as well as conservation and evolutionary ecology. Brian earned his B.S. in Biology, from the University of Delaware and his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Postdoctoral work included a stint at the Smithsonian Institution