The Matisoo-Smith lab focuses primarily on identifying the origins of Pacific peoples and their commensal plants and animals in order to better understand the settlement, history and prehistory of the Pacific and New Zealand.
Research Interests
The group works on a range of projects funded by a variety of organizations, but the overarching research theme of the research group is Molecular Anthropology and Ancient DNA analyses. They have a brand new, state-of-the-art ancient DNA laboratory, located in the Richardson Building, as well as a fully equipped modern DNA lab in the University’s Lindo Ferguson Building.
Major projects currently running in the lab include: National Geographic’s Genographic Project: Professor Matisoo-Smith is one of 13 Principal Investigators in the Genographic project which is sponsored by National Geographic, IBM and the Waitt Family Foundation. She is responsible for sampling the Pacific region. (https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com)
Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution: The Allan Wilson Centre (AWC) was one of the original seven Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs) funded by the NZ Government in 2002. Professor Matisoo-Smith is a Principal Investigator in the AWC and is currently leading a project entitled “Linking the Past and the Present - Ancient DNA and Pacific Origins and Interactions”. (http://www.allanwilsoncentre.ac.nz/index.html)
Evidence for Polynesian contact in South America: Redrawing the Polynesian Triangle: The team received a Marsden Grant (2009) to undertake a project involving both archaeological excavations and ancient DNA analysis of human remains from Isla Mocha, an island located 30km from the Chilean coast. See Storey et al (2007, 2008) and Matisoo-Smith and Ramirez (2009) for background.
Cattle domestication and the spread of pastoralism in Africa: This project is being conducted by Dr Ann Horsburgh. Analyses of ancient cattle bones will allow them to address several key issues in animal domestication such as: How many domestication events were there? Where did domestication take place? Were there differences in the process of domestication in different regions and might this be related to different animal and human relationships or environmental factors?
Tuesday 28 May 2013 Time: 1-2pm Venue: D’Ath Lecture Theatre, First Floor, Hercus Building
Dr Justin Keogh Bond University Gold Coast, Queensland " Weight loss in older adults benefits of exercise"
Dr Keogh's research focuses on understanding the acute stresses, and the chronic adaptations resulting from a range of physical activities. His research focuses on athletic populations and older adults, where both general and specific therapeutic physical activity may have differing effects and various motives and barriers to continual participation.
Applications for 2013 open on 1 October 2012. Click here for further information.
Classic Citations
A citation classic recognises outstanding papers that have been published by staff and students of the Department of Anatomy. View our Classic Citations.
Staff Profiles 