Víctor Moreno-Mayar selected as EMBO Young Investigator
Assistant Professor J. Víctor Moreno-Mayar, at Globe Institute, Section for GeoGenetics has been selected as one of 28 new EMBO Young Investigators, joining an international network of emerging leaders in the life sciences.
The EMBO Young Investigator four-year programme recognizes outstanding group leaders in the early stages of establishing their research careers and provides them with mentoring, training, networking opportunities and financial support.
Moreno-Mayar, Group Leader in palaeogenomics and human evolutionary genetics, was selected from a competitive pool of 233 applicants. His research explores how human populations have changed over time by generating and analyzing whole-genome data from present-day and ancient individuals, as well as metagenomic data from archaeological materials.
His team focuses especially on the evolutionary history of Indigenous Americans and Polynesian communities. In the last 500, after European contact, there has been a massive loss of culture and genetic diversity, so they want to learn about what was erased. Their work traces major transitions in human demography, subsistence strategies and health – from the initial peopling of the Americas and the rise of complex agricultural societies, to the profound disruptions that followed European colonization. In Polynesia, the group investigates the settlement and interactions of Pacific populations, with particular interest in the history of Rapa Nui.
Because ancient DNA is often fragile and difficult to interpret, Moreno-Mayar’s group also develops innovative and accessible computational tools to support a growing global research community. Their interdisciplinary approach combines genomics, archaeology, anthropology and equitable collaboration with Indigenous partners, ensuring that scientific findings are contextualized with traditional knowledge and contribute to recovering histories long obscured by colonialism.
“Being part of the EMBO Young Investigator Programme will strengthen our connections to a vibrant community of researchers across Europe and beyond,” Moreno-Mayar says. “We look forward to expanding our collaborations and pushing the boundaries of what palaeogenomics can reveal about our shared past.”
As an EMBO Young Investigator, Moreno-Mayar and his team will gain access to a range of benefits, including training opportunities, mentoring, and support for international networking and scientific exchange.
See all new EMBO Young Investigators
Contact
Assistant Professor Víctor Moreno-Mayar
Section for GeoGenetics, Globe Institute
E-mail: morenomayar@sund.ku.dk