Abigail Bigham

Abigail Bigham is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research focuses on human population genetics, molecular evolution, and high-altitude adaptation, particularly in Andean and Tibetan populations. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from Penn State University (2008) and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Arizona (2001). Her team investigates genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying adaptation to hypoxia, diet, and infectious diseases.

Key research areas include the genetic basis of altitude-related traits like hemoglobin concentration, pulmonary function, and metabolic adaptations. Her lab also explores the evolutionary impact of dietary changes (e.g., potato-rich diets in the Andes) and immune responses to pathogens such as HIV and dengue. Recent work includes epigenetic studies of high-altitude acclimatization and the functional validation of adaptive alleles.

Dr. Bigham’s projects often involve interdisciplinary collaborations, integrating genomic data with physiological measurements and anthropological fieldwork. She has conducted field studies in Peru, Tibet, Guatemala, and Nepal, focusing on indigenous populations to understand how genetic variation contributes to survival in extreme environments. Her lab’s website (https://bigham-lab.anthro.ucla.edu/) provides access to datasets and research tools.

Her academic contributions span over 50 peer-reviewed articles and grants addressing high-altitude physiology, evolutionary genetics, and global health. She actively advocates for ethical discussions on race and genetics, challenging simplistic biological determinism through public outreach and educational initiatives.