Diane Lister

Diane Lister is a Research and Communications Manager at the Conservation Research Institute, University of Cambridge. She has over 35 years of experience in plant science, with a focus on population genetics and archaeobotany. Her research spans the prehistoric spread of agriculture in Eurasia, domestication history of crops, and phylogeographic analysis of ancient DNA.

Her career includes a 17-year postdoctoral role at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, followed by a secondment as Bioscience Impact Facilitator in the University of Cambridge Research Operations Office and work in the REF Impact team.

• PhD in Biotechnology, University of Cambridge
• MPhil in Biotechnology, University of Cambridge
• BSc in Botany and Zoology, Australian National University

Dr Lister’s research interests integrate evolutionary genetics with archaeological evidence to reconstruct agricultural dispersal. She specializes in crop population genetics, ancient DNA analysis, and prehistoric Eurasian food systems. Her work combines field data with genetic markers to trace domestication pathways.

Her recent articles emphasize phylogeography, crop domestication, and prehistoric globalization. Key themes include genetic diversity mapping, climate adaptation in crops, and intercontinental agricultural exchange.

She currently leads communications and research initiatives for the Conservation Research Institute, contributing to evidence-based conservation strategies and academic collaboration.