Postdoctoral Researcher at Ludwig Maximilian University, Germany
Eirini Skourtanioti is an accomplished postdoctoral researcher specializing in ancient human genomics, with extensive expertise in archaeogenetics, bioinformatics, and evolutionary genetics. Her work integrates genetic, archaeological, and bioarchaeological evidence to unravel the complex population histories of ancient civilizations. Trained at leading international research institutions, she has co-led high-impact projects exploring population structure, genetic continuity, admixture, and disease evolution in ancient populations. Her research has been published in prestigious journals, and she has received notable recognitions for her scientific contributions.
Professional Profile
ORCID | Google Scholar
Education
Eirini Skourtanioti holds a doctoral degree in archaeogenomics from a joint program between Friedrich Schiller University and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, graduating with the highest distinction. Her doctoral thesis applied archaeogenomic approaches to investigate the population history of Southwest Asia and the Aegean from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, under the supervision of world-renowned geneticists. She also earned a master’s degree in Biological Anthropology and Human Population Genetics from Université de Toulouse III, ranking first in her class. Her academic foundation was built through a degree in Biology from the University of Crete, complemented by earlier studies at a Greek-French institution that nurtured her multidisciplinary outlook.
Experience
Eirini has held prestigious postdoctoral positions at top research institutes across Europe. At the Francis Crick Institute in London, she focuses on developing new methods to study population structure and selection in ancient British populations. Concurrently, she co-leads a major archaeogenetics project on ancient Athens at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, applying integrative bioarchaeological methods to study societal structures, nutrition, and mobility. Previously, at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, she conducted large-scale computational analyses of ancient human genomes, co-led projects on the genetic history of the Caucasus, and collaborated on groundbreaking research into ancient malaria genomics. Earlier in her career, she contributed to the establishment of an ancient DNA laboratory at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Greece, laying the groundwork for future genetic research.
Research Focus
Her research spans human population genetics, palaeogenomics, and the integration of archaeological context with genomic data. Eirini has investigated genetic continuity and mobility in the Caucasus over several millennia, uncovered patterns of admixture and endogamy in the prehistoric Aegean, and contributed to understanding the spread and evolution of pathogens such as Plasmodium and Yersinia pestis. Her projects often bridge multiple disciplines, including isotope analysis, ancient pathogen genomics, and integrative bioarchaeological methods, enabling a holistic reconstruction of past human societies.
Awards & Honors
Eirini has received notable recognition for her scientific excellence, including the Best Poster Award at the EMBO conference “Reconstructing the Human Past” for her presentation on the archaeogenetics of Iron Age Athens. Her outstanding doctoral research earned her a nomination for the prestigious Otto Hahn Medal, awarded for exceptional scientific achievements. She was also the recipient of a French state higher education scholarship for her master’s studies, highlighting her academic distinction and potential early in her career.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Genomic history of Neolithic to Bronze Age Anatolia, Northern Levant, and Southern Caucasus
Authors: E. Skourtanioti, Y. S. Erdal, M. Frangipane, F. B. Restelli, K. A. Yener, F. Pinnock, et al.
Journal: Cell, 181(5), 1158–1175.e28
Summary: Large-scale ancient DNA analysis reveals complex population interactions, migrations, and cultural transitions across Anatolia, the Northern Levant, and the Southern Caucasus over several millennia.
Title: Ten millennia of hepatitis B virus evolution
Authors: A. Kocher, L. Papac, R. Barquera, F. M. Key, M. A. Spyrou, R. Hübler, E. Skourtanioti, et al.
Journal: Science, 374(6564), 182–188
Summary: Reconstruction of hepatitis B virus genomes from ancient remains uncovers 10,000 years of viral evolution, transmission pathways, and lineage diversification in human populations.
Title: Comparative phylogeography of six herpetofauna species in Cyprus: Late Miocene to Pleistocene colonization routes
Authors: N. Poulakakis, P. Kapli, A. Kardamaki, E. Skourtanioti, B. Göçmen, Ç. Ilgaz, et al.
Journal: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 108(3), 619–635
Summary: Comparative genetic analysis of six reptile and amphibian species in Cyprus reveals distinct colonization events and dispersal patterns from the Late Miocene to the Pleistocene.
Title: Ancient DNA reveals admixture history and endogamy in the prehistoric Aegean
Authors: E. Skourtanioti, H. Ringbauer, G. A. Gnecchi Ruscone, R. A. Bianco, M. Burri, et al.
Journal: Nature Ecology & Evolution, 7(2), 290–303
Summary: Ancient genomic data from the prehistoric Aegean uncovers patterns of admixture, genetic isolation, and kinship, shedding light on the region’s social structures.
Title: A reinvestigation of phylogeny and divergence times of the Ablepharus kitaibelii species complex (Sauria, Scincidae) based on mtDNA and nuDNA genes
Authors: E. Skourtanioti, P. Kapli, Ç. Ilgaz, Y. Kumlutaş, A. Avcı, F. Ahmadzadeh, et al.
Journal: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 103, 199–214
Summary: Molecular phylogenetic study clarifies evolutionary relationships and divergence timing within the Ablepharus kitaibelii species complex, enhancing understanding of its biogeography.
Conclusion
Eirini Skourtanioti’s career reflects an exceptional combination of academic rigor, innovative research, and collaborative leadership in the field of ancient human genomics. Her ability to integrate genetic data with archaeological and anthropological evidence has significantly advanced the understanding of population history, mobility, and disease evolution in the ancient world. With numerous influential publications, international collaborations, and recognized scientific achievements, she stands out as a leader in archaeogenetics. Her work not only deepens knowledge of humanity’s past but also sets a benchmark for interdisciplinary approaches in population genetics and bioarchaeology.