Marta Ciccarella

My research in Anthropological Genetics focuses on the genomic diversity and demographic history of human populations.

I hold a Master degree in Evolutionary Biology (University of Bologna, Italy) and a Master degree in Bioinformatics (Paris Cité University, France). In 2020, I was awarded a 4-year FCT grant to pursue my PhD at the FCUP, University of Porto, and the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, in Paris.

During my PhD, I have investigated complex admixture histories in São Tomé e Príncipe and Cabo Verde. These two archipelagos, first settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century, underwent five centuries of colonial history linked to slavery and indentured servitude. My research shows how successive migrations and changes in social structures have shaped the genetic diversity of populations that are currently living on the islands.

I am particularly interested in interdisciplinary research that explores the impact of sociocultural dynamics on the distribution of genetic diversity - including how cultural practices, social structures, and gender roles influence patterns of genetic diversity across autosomes, X chromosomes, and uniparental markers.