What we do
Most medical genetics research has focused on disease and ‘fixing what is wrong. It has also focused almost exclusively on European ancestry individuals. What if we celebrate what makes people unique and resilient, instead of what makes them ill?
Indigenous human populations have inhabited nearly all of Earth's climates, adopting survival strategies that range from desert foraging to deep-sea diving. An extraordinary array of adaptation has arisen from these environments and lifestyles, resulting in physiological advantages. Our research explores evolution in these superhuman populations. Thus far, we have partnered with two populations who engage in the practice of breath-hold diving: The Bajau Sea Nomads of Indonesia and the Haenyeo (all-female) divers of Jeju, Korea. By understanding and replicating the biology of these unique populations, we can leverage the power of natural selection to improve the wellness of all.
The hunt for disease-causing genetic variants has become the pervasive narrative in biomedical genomics and often results in exacerbating the inequalities within underserved populations. An emphasis on disease not only contributes to deficit framing, placing the research value of marginalized populations on their pathology, but also creates enduring stigmas and stereotypes. By instead celebrating strengths, our research seeks to understand how health is preserved among resilient, adapted individuals. Illuminating the genomic factors that exhibit excellence and adaptation or protect against disease honors the resilience of participant populations and is more aligned with community-based participatory research values.
The hunt for disease-causing genetic variants has become the pervasive narrative in biomedical genomics and often results in exacerbating the inequalities within underserved populations. An emphasis on disease not only contributes to deficit framing, placing the research value of marginalized populations on their pathology, but also creates enduring stigmas and stereotypes. By instead celebrating strengths, our research seeks to understand how health is preserved among resilient, adapted individuals. Illuminating the genomic factors that exhibit excellence and adaptation or protect against disease honors the resilience of participant populations and is more aligned with community-based participatory research values.
