
Raquel E. Fleskes
Biological anthropologist specializing in ancient DNA, population genetics, and community engagement.
National Science Foundation SBE Post-Doctoral Fellow (2021-Present)
Department of Anthropology,
The University of Connecticut
Ph.D. (2014-2021)
Department of Anthropology,
University of Pennsylvania
I'm am anthropological geneticist conducting post-doctoral research in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut. My research falls at the intersection of ancient DNA, archaeology, and community engagement. I use ancient DNA and population genetic methods to understand the population history of colonial period North America. These methods are then interpreted alongside archaeological and other bio-molecular techniques to understand lived experience, ancestry, and relationships in the colonial Americas.
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Welcome!




Research
My research focuses on understanding the population histories in early colonial North America from archaeological sites and within contemporary descendent communities using ancient DNA and population genetics.
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Teaching
As an educator, I believe that teaching critical research, reading, and communication skills are as important as teaching course content. That's why I integrate active learning in the courses I teach - from Introduction to Human Evolution, to DNA & Human Society.
Read more about my teaching philosophy and instructor experience here -->
